Southern Cross Matters

Perhaps more profoundly, a foundational proposition of the project on which we have collectively embarked is to deeply embed a sustained and evidence driven culture of continuous improvement and innovation. We see this happening across the academy, with teams of colleagues experimenting with new design approaches to pedagogy and assessment and in so doing, resolving problems hitherto regarded as intractable. 

We see the same spirit informing experimentation that is now ongoing in a number of faculties with hybrid approaches to teaching which raise very interesting questions about a range of traditional suppositions about the configuration of on campus and online teaching as though these were wholly different domains. Our work in research is taking on a similarly reformist tinge, especially as the maturation of our thinking around the work and priorities of our research impact clusters evolves.

This edition speaks to an energised institution that to a greater and greater extent is looking outwards to its communities and the world beyond as it seeks to uplift lives and drive impact. This confidence and energy is being noticed and is shaping different and far more positive perceptions and narratives about who we are as a University, and the significance of what we do. It is vividly reflected in the pages of this edition of Southern Cross Matters, which I hope will be a useful additional trove of material to assist everyone at the University contribute to ongoing conversations with those in our community to explain to them just a little bit more about what we do, and how important and impactful it is – across so many domains.

Sincerely,

Tyrone

With almost 2,000 people registering through our 2023 Open Day platform, attendees certainly encountered some unexpected experiences. From dating ancient human teeth to 3D printing or a cyber security challenge.

A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the days such a success.

Registering organ donation decisions on the AODR is essential to boost organ donation and improve access to transplantation for all Australians. 

“Many people still don’t know that donation decisions are no longer recorded on the driver’s license (in all States and Territories except South Australia).”

“You can register to donate all your organs and tissue, specific organs and tissue, or you can register not to donate. This can be done through your Medicare App, myGov or the DonateLife website.”
 
The project also offers an opportunity for a PhD scholarship at Southern Cross. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

Senior Lecturer Dr Kitty-Rose Foley presented on a scientific panel about neurodiversity affirming practice in autism and made a significant contribution to the conference through her role on the Scientific Committee. 

Associate Lecturer Lisa Couzens presented about the effect of wheelchair cushions on the skin microclimate. 

Associate Lecturer Danielle Bull and Lecturer Charmaine Bernie were invited speakers on their respective research: the role of occupational therapists in supporting pilots and pathways to developmental diagnosis. 

Associate Professor Michelle Bissett also co-authored four papers at the conference.  

“Our OT team is a shining example of research underpinning practice and practice driving research, interwoven through our educational programs,” said Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Health, Professor Marianne Wallis. 

“The depth and breadth of Southern Cross OT presentations at this national conference clearly indicate our strengths in learning and teaching and curriculum design as well as the great trajectory of OT research at the University.”

Congratulations go to Dr Kitty-Rose Foley, who also won the OTA Mid-Career Researcher Award, a competitive award acknowledging the contribution of a mid-career researcher to the field of occupational therapy.

Joining Southern Cross is also a homecoming for Damon, who grew up in Coffs Harbour, and describes the Northern Rivers as his heartland. He has settled with his family on the Gold Coast.  

“This whole region is on the move and education is at the forefront,” he says. “In the post-COVID world, employability is king and with the job market so buoyant here, Southern Cross University is positioned to put itself front-and-centre in the thinking of prospective international students and their families. 

“Traditionally, in the strongest markets like China, South-East Asia and India, Australia’s smaller regional universities battle against the Group of Eight or other institutions in our largest cities.  

“But the opportunities in our region mean Southern Cross University has a great story to tell as a sound investment for international students in terms of quality of education and student experience, degrees that are competitively priced, and employment-led return on investment. 

“I like that Southern Cross University is being so proactive in the field, which is one of the reasons I wanted to be here.”  

Damon has been a leader in the international student sector for more than a decade. He also has strong links to Asia, including time with the highly reputed Kaplan China education group, where he was instrumental in increased enrolments and founded a pathway program with university consortium NCUK and the University of Manchester. 

Away from work, Damon is enjoying settling into his new home. He also loves basketball, reading, is brushing up on his rusty Chinese, and twice a week the entire Ferris family does the 10,000-step challenge. 

“I always wanted to live here,” said Damon. “The bonus, professionally speaking, is to begin a new role when the international student sector is going through a time of transformation.”

This was followed by the award of the Greener Futures Prize for local Year 10 and 11 students by Associate Professor Louise Phillips. Winner Misha and runners-up Jorgia and Safiye treated the crowed to a reading of their impressive work. 

Imaginarium was the aptly titled venue supported by our University at this year’s Festival. A packed house was there to listen to a panel featuring our Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Education Impact) Ben Roche with Jeff Goodell and Jess Scully on sustainability, while Professor Mary Spongberg chaired a panel on the Feminist Trajectory with journalist Tracey Spicer, Nakkiah Lui and Madison Godfrey. 

In Recovery was another popular session, examining new approaches to rebuilding and restoring community resilience following the floods. The panel, chaired by Nell Scofield, featured our very own Professor Mandy Reichelt-Brushett and Dan Etheridge from the Living Lab together with Naomi Moran from the Koori Mail.

It was a wonderful end to a week of words which saw thousands flock to the region’s favourite literary Festival.

As a world-leading researcher in environmental education and sustainability, Professor Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles’s keynote speech delved into child and youth-led climate research, curriculum, and pedagogy, drawing from her latest publication 'Climate Change Imaginaries' (with Rousell, Routledge). 

“Although limited, formal climate change education responses have predominantly focussed on imparting Western science rather than grappling with cultural understandings of climate change,” said Professor Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles.

She also gave a five-part lecture series at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) on climate change and education working with hundreds of Indonesian pre-service science teachers and university academics.

Further information on Sustainability, Environment, and the Arts in Education (SEAE) Research Centre can be found here.

My thesis – and subsequent book, 'Decisional Privacy and the Rights of the Child' (Routledge, 2021) – build on Professor Stalford’s research on children’s rights in judicial decision-making. 

Last year, we became collaborators on a project about strengthening children’s voices in the family justice system, through an initiative of the Family Law Reform Now Network in the UK. After having worked together remotely for a while, I enthusiastically accepted Professor Stalford’s invitation to visit the University of Liverpool to work on this and other children’s rights projects.

How was your experience with Professor Helen Stalford?

In one word: inspiring. It was a great time to be visiting, as I had the opportunity to attend and be involved in various events showcasing the diverse children’s rights research being undertaken at Liverpool Law School. 

Some highlights were the opportunity to present my research-in-progress on how Australian family court judges can communicate their decisions more effectively to children, as well as to meet and learn from young unaccompanied asylum seekers about their experiences and the impacts of COVID-19 delays.

How is the family justice system in the UK in comparison with the Australian? 

The Australian and UK family justice systems are disappointingly similar in their approach to children’s participation. Both systems take a very protectionist, paternalistic approach to involving children in decision-making about their best interests. Both fall short in meeting their obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to give children a right to express their views and be heard in family law proceedings – particularly so in cases involving family violence and abuse. In both systems, children feel marginalised and perceive that adults do not listen to or care about their views. 

But more promising is that we are seeing progress in both jurisdictions, in terms of enhancing children’s safety through improved risk screening and assessment processes, as well as reform proposals to improve children’s experiences of participation. In England and Wales, a different approach to hearing and centralising children’s views and wishes is being trialled as part of the pilot of integrated domestic abuse courts. In Australia, the Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 (Cth) that is currently before Parliament contains changes that will better recognise children’s rights and participation. 

Most importantly, both systems have much to learn from one another. Given the parallel challenges – particularly the long-standing tension between protection and participation– there are many opportunities for knowledge exchange, information sharing and potentially greater impetus for reform.

When it comes to children involvement in research, what is their approach? Would it be quite similar to the Centre for Children and Young People’s (CCYP) approach? 

The University of Liverpool’s approach to involving children in research is very similar to that of the Centre for Children and Young People. It is a children’s rights-based approach, which respects the agency and evolving capacities of children and young people. This approach supports children and young people to be involved in research not only as participants, but also as co-researchers. 

To this effect, the University of Liverpool has a Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG), made up of children and young people aged 12 to 24 years who provide input into the design, implementation and dissemination of research projects at the University. This may be an initiative for the CCYP to consider too!