Sonia's research interests lie in the social and cultural conditions that legitimise women's leadership in political institutions, including parliaments. In parallel, Sonia explores with students and her disciplinary peers opportunities and strategies for more inclusive research methodologies, particularly feminist methodologies.

This research agenda is built on 15 years experience of working in academic, development and parliamentary institutions. She has held positions with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (in Geneva, Switzerland), the United Nations Development Program (in Hanoi, Vietnam), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (in New York, USA), and the Australian parliament. As an independent development practitioner, she has engaged with current and aspiring women in politics in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and - most prominently - the Pacific, and has designed and evaluated development projects for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).