Research and disciplinary development Hay's research focuses on economic inequality, oppression, ethics, and fairness within a geographical context. He is the author or editor of seventeen books, a number of which have appeared in multiple editions. These volumes cover
inter alia New Zealand and US history, qualitative research methods, research ethics, academic professional development, study skills, and geographical education.He is also a commentator on issues in higher education The goal of INLT is to goal to improve the quality and status of learning and teaching of geography in higher education internationally, to share resources and establish a global
community of practice in geography higher education. Hay was an early steering committee member of the IGU Commission on Research Methods which he helped to set up to promote an international dialogue on research methods as a vital tool for advancing geographic knowledge and research practices across different regions, countries and traditions. In 2009, he was appointed as expert member for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) reference group contributing to the development of the new national geography curriculum. The following year he was seconded to the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) as discipline scholar for the arts, social sciences and humanities. In this capacity he collaborated with the Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (DASSH) to develop national academic standards for geography and history, both of which were published in 2010. In 2012, he went on to serve as educator-in-residence at the
National University of Singapore, where he delivered the Ruth Wong Memorial Lecture focusing on the teaching practices of inspiring academics. Hay has held various international, national, and state-level leadership in professional organisations and learned societies, including vice-president (2014 to 2020) and first vice-president (2020 to 2022) of the
International Geographical Union (IGU) and president of the Institute of Australian Geographers (IAG) (2010–2012). Currently, he is inaugural director of the RGSSA and chair of the
Australian Academy of Science's National Committee for Geographical Sciences. This committee provides leadership and guidance for Australian geography, setting the strategic direction for the discipline. It also act as a link to the global geographical community, ensuring Australia is represented in influential international bodies such as the International Geographical Union. He has also served the international organisation COPE:
Committee on Publication Ethics. In 2025 Hay was appointed to the
International Science Council's inaugural Committee for Membership.
Editorial work Hay has both founded and edited several journals, including roles as editor-in-chief,
Geographical Research (2014–2016); co-founder and first Asia-Pacific editor,
Ethics, Place and Environment (1998–2010); founding co-editor of
International Gambling Studies (2006–09); and foundation Australasian editor,
Journal of Geography in Higher Education (1995–2005). He has served on the editorial boards of journals such as
ACME;
Applied Geography;
Erdkunde;
Luxury;
New Zealand Geographer;
Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift; and
Social and Cultural Geography. published by Anthem Press and "dedicated to amplifying the voices and insights of geographers from Australia and New Zealand". Earlier, he established the International Geographical Union's
Series on Contemporary Geographies, which he first co-edited with
Michael Meadows and now with Holly R. Barcus. He is also editor of the Edward Elgar Publishing
How to be an Academic Superhero series, the blueprint for which was his book
How to be an Academic Superhero: Establishing and Sustaining a Successful Career in the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
Selected lectures • 'Condition Critical: The RGSSA's role in Australian Geography's revival', 51st Brock Memorial Lecture, Royal Geographical Society of South Australia, Adelaide, 2025. • 'Why voluntary, community-based learned societies matter to the future of geography in Australia', Wiley Plenary Lecture, Institute of Australian Geographers, Adelaide, 2024. • 'Vital Learned Societies. The significance of voluntary, community-based learned societies for Australian geography's future', J.P. Thomson Oration, Royal Geographical Society of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 2024. • 'Opening Doors: Exploring the teaching practices of inspiring academics', Ruth Wong Memorial Lecture on Education, National University of Singapore, 2012. • 'On the magic of teaching', The Vice Chancellor's Symposium, Massey University, New Zealand, (Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North campuses), 2007. • 'Oppressive geometries? Developing postcolonial power/knowledge arrangements for a global virtual group' Invited Plenary, 1st International Indian Geography Congress, Hyderabad, India, 2006. • 'Postcolonial practices for a global virtual group – the case of INLT', 2006
Journal of Geography in Higher Education Lecture, International Geographical Union, Brisbane, 2006. ==Publications==