Before beginning his PhD, Luke completed Master of Asia-Pacific Studies and Master of Diplomacy degrees from the Australian National University. In addition to living and attending University in the cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, Luke has lived and worked in China, Vietnam and Myanmar.

He is a committed beer brewer and a founding committee member of Melbourne's largest brewing club, the Merri Mashers. Other professional affiliations include the Drinking Studies Network, the Alcohol & Drugs History Society, the Australian Anthropological Society and the Association for Asian Studies.

Luke regularly publishes on topics relating to the beer industry, brewing and alcohol production, consumption and identity in South and Southeast Asia in avenues such as The Diplomat, New Mandala, East by Southeast, the Myanmar Times and the Global Times.