Diana Castorina
Member – Tertiary Education Sector
Diana Castorina is an economist, researcher and lecturer at James Cook University in Cairns, specialising in regional development and migration. She is completing her PhD on regional migration, using data-driven research to understand why people move between regions. Having lived in regional communities, she brings valuable first-hand insight to her work, aiming to support practitioners and policymakers in attracting and retaining people.
With more than a decade of teaching experience across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, Diana has received multiple university awards and currently serves as JCU Cairns’ First Year Experience Coordinator for Business and Commerce. Her earlier career as a Research Economist included major social and economic impact assessments for government and industry, and she is now a regular media commentator and public speaker.
Diana is also deeply engaged in the community through the Business Liaison Association, Zonta Club of Cairns, the Diocesan Finance Council and Catholic School Parents Queensland. She is committed to strengthening regional Australia through research, public engagement and community service.
