Southern Cross Matters

Though small in number, our colleagues within SCU make an extraordinary contribution to the life of the University. They have displayed considerable innovation in learning and teaching during a tumultuous and disrupted period of time, expanded their portfolio of programs and committed deeply and authentically to incorporating evidence-led scholarship of learning and teaching into their practice.

All of this is translating into highly satisfied students who are excellently prepared for their academic journey beyond SCU College. They are a very humble and self-effacing group of colleagues and so not given over to boasting of their achievements, so it falls upon me to do a little of that on their behalf because I genuinely think that what they continue to accomplish, and the spirit with which they do it is inspirational. 

As you read through the material in this month’s edition of Southern Cross Matters I think you will also find considerable inspiration. You will learn of colleagues testing their personal limits on the global stage, see the continuing evidence of the profoundly positive impact of the Southern Cross Model, feel the joy that so many of us experienced at our recent Lismore graduations and so many other things besides. We are blessed to be a part of a dynamic, energetic and passionate University and we continue to elevate the lives of so many in our communities and to improve the world around us through our revolutionary teaching and our impactful research. 

With the overriding goal to change lives through revolutionary learning and research with real impact, priorities are: 

• Education and Student Experience 
• Research and Impact Initiatives 
• Engaged Communities and Partners 
• Digital Transformation 
• Financial Security 
• Outstanding People 
• Reimagined Campus 

“Strategy 2030 is a living strategy underpinned by values of excellence, trust, care, boldness and ownership,” said Professor Carlin. "In myriad conversations over many months, we have distilled a sense of our purpose, and found ways to evoke the values that will stand us in good stead as we go forward.” 

This is already happening. For example, five Southern Cross University research publications featured in the latest IPCC Climate Change Report, affirming that being a small University is no detriment to achieving global influence and impact.  

Also, early data from Term 1 this year offers encouraging news around learning and teaching under the revolutionary Southern Cross Model, bringing great optimism leading into 2023 and beyond. 

In other initiatives, the Digital Experience Project continues to drive enhanced digital performance for our students and colleagues, while the growth of the University is reflected in a program of development, expansion and modernisation on all campuses.   

Learn more about our Strategic Plan

“This is the University’s way of saying to the Northern Rivers business community we continue to be here for you and the next generation in the revitalisation of the city of Lismore and the region,” said Professor Richard Dunford, Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts.

Business NSW’s hub has been located in Lismore campus A Block since the floods earlier this year. Jane Laverty, Business NSW Regional Director Northern Rivers, said the launch of the Bachelor of Business and Enterprise comes at a time when the Northern Rivers region is experiencing a turning point in its economic development. 

“I am impressed with the agility and responsiveness of Southern Cross University to meet the needs of our emerging talent in this field and deliver on the demand from business to employ the best and brightest, enabling them to expand their businesses in a sustainable and innovative way,” she said.

When compared to 2019 results, results up to Term 3 2022 under the Southern Cross Model show student success rates in completing units have increased on average by 16 per cent, rising from 69 to 85 per cent. Mean Grade Point Averages were also up, from 3.6 to 4.4 (where the highest rate is 7.0), while absent fail rates are down 25 per cent to 4.6 per cent. The early data also builds on positive evidence gathered during pilot programs conducted from 2019-21. 

Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Quality), Professor Thomas Roche, said the Southern Cross Model was a bold approach to education that had been purpose-built for the 21st century student.  

“This early data confirms our belief that the Southern Cross Model is a better way to learn,” he said. 

The breadth of the Southern Cross University community was represented by our graduates hailing from the Faculty of Health; Faculty of Education; Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples; Faculty of Business, Law and Arts; Faculty of Science and Engineering; The Hotel School; and SCU College.

Bachelor of Science graduate and Technical Assistant at the Southern Cross Analytical Research Laboratory, Shimay Clark said she is excited to jump into her career in genetic engineering. 

“Wherever the opportunities are, I go. I’m excited to see what’s possible,” Shimay said.

“I particularly like working on genetic projects around endangered species. I did a bit of research on the Tasmanian Devil and looking at ways you can genetically modify it to be resistant to the facial tumour disease.”

As a former student ambassador, Shimay has transitioned from ushering families into the auditorium, to herself filing in, dressed in a gown and mortarboard.

“I used to do the tickets and the ushering of old ceremonies and I haven’t done that for three years now due to the pandemic, so it’s really nice to see graduation ceremonies come back and bring a bit more normality back to the uni.”

“Returning to normal events and programs gives a bit of hope and I think it really livens up the university community. If I’m here doing admin and seeing people playing music in the plaza, it just feels more alive.” 

Our new alumni were inspired by Newton Denny Chapelle Managing Director and Principal Town Planner, Damian Chapelle and Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director, Jane Laverty who gave occasional addresses. 

“It is not uncommon that we sometimes feel the stress of everyday life. After all, we are amid a pandemic and going through significant changes in how we connect with people and deliver services. 

The question often asked is, how do you know if it is more serious than everyday stress? To simply answer, if you are asking, it is time to discuss how you are feeling with someone. Especially if it affects elements of your daily living, such as appetite, sleep, motivation, health, or relationships.   

Many of us struggle to balance a busy professional and personal life. A key ingredient to building and maintaining resilience is self-care. You must prioritise time for yourself just as you would for a meeting with your manager or a scheduled class.

I challenge you to find moments of opportunity:  

• Arrive to work ten minutes earlier and find a quiet place for a meeting with yourself 
• Engage in a brief mindfulness activity before attending a meeting
• Prioritise your lunch break
• Get creative with meeting spaces – do you need to be inside or could you perhaps host a walking meeting?
• Connect with someone regularly and share achievements and challenges

Mental illness does not discriminate. Southern Cross University has a wealth of health and wellness resources available at Health and Wellness.

ERA is Australia’s national research assessment body and is administered by the Australian Research Council (ARC). It identifies and promotes excellence in research in Australia’s higher education institutions, through comparisons with international benchmarks.

“ERA has been a very important vehicle for driving research quality in Australia and has demonstrated that research excellence can be found across the sector. It’s great to have a regional voice on this important working group,” said Mary.

ARC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM, will chair the expert group and said: “The ARC recognises the importance of working with experts across the higher education and research sectors, especially with the diverse range of research disciplines that ERA covers.”

The transition plan is scheduled for delivery by December 2022 for implementation in 2024-25. The working group comprises senior academics from universities around the country.  

“This project is a culmination of the gap I observed within this space over many years, where African communities expressed their concerns with the ongoing negative discourses about them. The concerns moved beyond inclusion and belonging to longing for dignity within their everyday lives as Australians from a minoritised community,” said Kathomi.

An example of the negative discourses is the ‘#AfricanGangs’ social media hashtag which went viral in 2018 and prompted national debates about ‘failed multiculturalism’ and led to calls for Africans struggling to integrate within Australia to be deported.

Kathomi’s project aims to identify significant African practices that foster wellbeing, resilience and dignity. She defines racial dignity as “the immutable, unconditional worth of Black people as human beings. It is to be seen through a humanised lens and to be afforded basic respect in private and public relationships within a complex society that predominantly mistreats the Black body.”

“This DECRA research project will apply a unique and innovative Afrocentric methodology to generate a new understanding of racial dignity as key to belonging for Black Africans in Australia,” Kathomi said. 

“This knowledge will be used to develop a tailored, culturally appropriate practice framework for relevant human service organisations.

“I am always excited about telling and hearing the stories of Black communities both as a researcher and as a psychotherapist. It is quite common for the stories of marginal communities to be told by others. So, in a way, this is a reclaiming process and a creation of space where we can engage with Black experiences through dignified sociological framework and cultural nuance. I hope the presence of more Afrodiasporic stories in academic literature will promote more community, healing and a sense of collective worth.”

“It was the first time for both cities. In Berlin, nothing felt more spectacular than seeing the Brandenburg Gate and running through it to the finish line. The crowds were massive and the cheering was unbelievable, deafening. London was similar to Berlin, with its iconic landmarks towards the finish line. I ran a personal best in Berlin, with a time of 2:46:21 finishing 56th female and 3rd Australian. It was emotional and empowering. An amazing feeling.”

Leah is a mother of three beautiful children and began running when she had her second child. Running became her outlet from the world, her ‘me time’ with no interruptions.  

“When my third child, Leo came along, I decided to run in a 10km race. Progressively, I continued to move up in distance, competing in a half marathon and then a full marathon. I fell in love with the sport of running, in particular marathons, and I have just continued to do them. I love a goal and something to work towards, I thrive on challenging myself physically and mentally.”

Success usually comes with effort. Leah confesses that the early mornings are the hardest part. “If I have a work commitment or a work trip, I will get up at 3am to get the training in. I am always up early, but before 5am just hurts a little more. Also, runners are famous for terrible feet, so let’s just say I won’t be getting a pedicure any time soon.”

To date, Leah has run 21 marathons, the New York one being her favourite. “There were 50,000 runners, the largest number I have ever been amongst and by far the largest spectating crowd. Over one million people line the streets! The spectators set up stages and perform, they play music like you are at a concert; they dance, and they cheer and party on the sidewalks as you run along. It is the most incredible atmosphere, you almost forget you’re running a marathon – almost.”

With only one World Marathon Major to tick off the list – Leah has already run Chicago, New York, Boston, London and Berlin - it’s no wonder that her current goal is to compete in the Tokyo Marathon. “Not only am I hoping to complete the Tokyo Marathon in 2024, but I am also aiming to do them all in under 3 hours!”

Do you find there is a lack of understanding of what AI actually is? 

In the studies we conducted, there was this real ‘Hollywood’ idea of artificial intelligence, but there is also a degree of ‘social sense-making’ that is occurring. Some healthcare professionals perceive AI as robots, others believe that it is computer technology that can think and act like a human being with emotions, insight and intention, for others again it is just a piece of technology that sits in the store room. 

At the moment, AI is just a series of computer algorithms wholly reliant on the data it receives and the human that informs it, which we’re essentially already using in day-to-day technology without even knowing it. It has huge potential in informing healthcare delivery, but a long way to go yet.

What have you found to be the biggest concerns about using artificial intelligence by healthcare workers?

The main concerns are education and training first and foremost. Healthcare professionals want to know more before they will trust it! However, interoperability, organisational support, privacy, liability and policy are equally important and as yet unresolved in the complex space of healthcare.

What are you most excited about with your research? 

For me, it’s always this altruistic idea of positively impacting people’s lives somehow. It would be awesome to see clinicians make better-informed decisions because this technology was developed by them and is safe to use, which would ultimately improve quality of care and patient outcomes. If I can do my little bit to help keep the clinician front and centre in the development and implementation of AI, then I’ll feel like I’ve really achieved something. 

You have almost finished your PhD. What is next for you? 

I see myself as an interpreter for both sides of the health-tech divide so I think eventually I’d like to get into a space where I can assist both types of organisations to understand the healthcare problem, participate in creating the solution, and prepare the workforce through training and education.