Murdoch University Staff Awards Winners Gallery 2015

School of Engineering & Information Technology

Graduate Poster Prize

Rorie GilliganSiti JamaliDean LaslettIbukun Oluwoye

Proudly supported bySchool of Engineering and Information Technology

CONGRATULATONS!Dr Jane Pearce

2014 SENATE MEDALfor exceptional service to the University

Dr Jane PearceAssociate Dean Learning and Teaching (Retired)

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I came to Murdoch in 1996 as an Associate Lecturer in the School of Education, teaching philosophy and sociology of education. I found a vibrant and welcoming community. I have had many different roles at Murdoch. At first I worked part-time in the School of Education while I studied for my PhD, and then in 2003 became one of two foundation members of School of Education staff teaching at the Rockingham campus. I also worked in the UniFocus Program, which enabled many people from Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah to achieve their dream of studying at university. From late 2012 to the end of 2014 I was Associate Dean Learning and Teaching in the School of Education.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Jane Pearce

2014 Senate Medal

You’ve received a 2014 Senate medal. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

Many inspiring people – teachers, students, colleagues –have shown me that learning at its best is both joyful and life-changing. My late father, Bob Pearce, was one of those people. He was a passionate and committed educator, in many ways ahead of his time. He held strongly-held convictions about what education can and should be. As a teacher and school principal he always looked for the best in every student, and worked to help them achieve more than they could ever have imagined. These were his guiding principles, and I have always tried to practise them myself.

Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch community you’d like to acknowledge for your success? What have they done to help you?

I have known some amazing teachers and researchers. My two brilliant supervisors – Jan Currie and Simone Volet – set me on the path to becoming a scholar, and working with Barry Down I learned what it really means to be a researcher. In my Rockingham colleagues, such as Liz Moore, Sarah Veitch, Deb Hamblin and Pim McCready, I found inspiration and collegiality, and as Associate Dean I received invaluable guidance from Judy MacCallum and Steve Ritchie. David Holloway, Paul Comiskey, Louise Dixon, Lisa Cary, Anne Allen, Linda Morton, and the other ADLTS were wonderful to work with as I came to terms with the new MUCC environment. I have had stimulating and thought-provoking conversations about teaching with Kit Lawson, Chris Glass, Nado Aveling and Caroline Mansfield. Most of all, I acknowledge the support, trust and friendship of the School of Education ‘family’.

What kind of achievements would you like to see from the Murdoch community in the next 3-5 years?

I’d like to see everyone taking good care of one another, and continuing to transform lives by conducting ground-breaking research and practising ground-breaking pedagogy




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Erich von Dietze

2014 VICE CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES

Dr Erich von DietzeManager Research Ethics

Division of Research and Development

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I joined Murdoch in 2006. My role is predominantly in research support. My office provides a range of support for the Animal Ethics Committee, Human Research Ethics Committee, the Safety in Research & Teaching Committee and its sub committees, as well as administering research policy and providing support to the university’s research integrity processes. To fulfil this role requires working with diverse committees and also working with those who need to obtain each committee’s approval for their research – providing workshops, information and something akin to a ‘translation’ service between researchers and committees. It also requires sensitivity to many different areas of research both methodologically as well as the pressures on researchers and demands made of participants, animals, resources and the like. The involvement across the university is thus very broad. I find that I am also frequently consulted on wider matters of ethics and integrity, and occasionally asked to provide a guest lecture or workshop to interact with students as they grow into becoming researchers.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Erich von Dietze

2014 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Services

You’ve received the 2014 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Services. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

Learning is integrated into everything we do. I am privileged to be challenged regularly by some of the greatest thinkers at Murdoch, and to work with people from the wider community including members of the various ethics and safety committees and learn from them their questions and insights. In a role which works collaboratively with people at all levels, we are constantly open to being questioned or challenged at some stage. A part of my role is to communicate the questions the committees ask in a manner which hopefully enables applicants to respond and which provides for an effective research approval process. A great privilege in all of this is to work with students and to see their understanding grow as they progress through the relevant processes, as well as being challenged by their insightful questions.


Success in my role is never individual; everything is integrated into team work. I am grateful to the entire team of staff I am privileged to work with. In particular I would like to acknowledge the hard work of Moira Desport, Cree Monaghan, Rebecca Crisp, Joanne Davis, Aggie Meerwald, Vanessa Hahn and Sarah Dias; each of whom contributes important skills to the team. I would also like to thank the members of the various committees who provide voluntary service often over and above their normal workload, and especially the lay members who come voluntarily from the wider community and attend regularly, providing their critical insights. All of these people contribute in diverse and important ways to the integrated team which enables us to provide our service to the university.


I see Murdoch as an important university both locally and internationally. Our relatively small size is an advantage in many ways, and our overall reputation is excellent. I would like to see us mature further into our vision, to grow appropriately and to bring the best research we can to bear onto issues relevant to the wider communities which we serve. This presents many exciting challenges over the next few years.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Amy Glen

2014 VICE CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AND TEACHING

(General Teaching Excellence in a Discipline)

Dr Amy GlenLecturer Mathematics and Statistics

School of Engineering and Information Technology

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I joined Murdoch University as a Lecturer in Mathematics & Statistics in mid 2009.

You’ve received a 2014 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Please tell us about what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

Teaching is a strong passion of mine. For one, it allows me to share my excitement for mathematics with students; to open their eyes to the wonder and beauty that is Mathematics . I also take great delight in building up a rapport with students. Seeing them mature in mathematical ability and knowledge makes the teaching experience all the more rewarding and enjoyable too.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Jeremy Hultin

2014 VICE CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AND TEACHING

(General Teaching Excellence in a Discipline)

Dr Jeremy HultinLecturer New Testament

School of Arts

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I'm a lecturer in Theology/Religion, and I've been teaching here since the middle of 2012. My primary area is New Testament, but I've also taught the history and literature of Second Temple Judaism, patristic theology, Hellenistic philosophy, and Christian apocryphal texts. Understanding the historical origins of ideas and beliefs is an important part of navigating our diverse, interconnected world. There's something exciting and empowering about knowing where ideas came from.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Jeremy Hultin

2014 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and TeachingGeneral Teaching Excellence in a Discipline

You’ve received a 2014 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

I try to help students clarify and refine the questions that emerge from their encounters with the subject matter. Because I want to challenge students to think critically and creatively (rather than simply to absorb what I or other scholars believe), I make it my goal to urge them to identify what they find perplexing or difficult, and then I stand along side them, as it were, in setting about on the search for answers to those questions. It's fun to try to solve problems together.


My colleagues in the School of Arts are terrific. Our dean, Rikki Kersten, is an outstanding leader. And Associate Dean Jim Trotter, who also teaches in the field of Old Testament, has helped me in ways too numerous to list.


If we as a university are going to offer a lot of external teaching—and it appears that we will—then it is important that we do it really well. I think we're moving in that direction, but there's still a lot of work to do.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Andrew Currie

2015 VICE CHANCELLOR’S CITATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENHANCING LEARNING

Dr Andrew CurrieSenior Lecturer in Immunology

School of Veterinary and Life Sciences

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I joined Murdoch in June 2010. I teach the core immunology content for the biomedical and veterinary science courses in VLS. I chair the Biomedical Science Honours programme. I also conduct research on newborn human and animal infection and immunity, supervising PhD and Honours students. My activities contribute to Murdoch’s recognised teaching and research strengths in immunology and medical microbiology.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Andrew Currie

2015 Vice Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence In Enhancing Learning

You’ve received a 2015 Vice Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Enhancing Learning. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

I am passionate about the field of immunology and gain most satisfaction in enabling students to act as informed citizens in topics such as vaccination, new immune cancer therapies and treatments for autoimmune disease. I am also excited about motivating others to pursue new knowledge through research.


I would like to acknowledge Dr Kirsty Townsend for her continuing efforts to develop and provide excellent practical teaching activities for students in immunology. I would also like to thank A/Prof Wayne Greene and Prof David Hampson for their support and mentorship.


I would like to see some bold actions and spending by Murdoch to enliven teaching and research spaces and buildings on campus, and realisation of the opportunity that the Fiona Stanley Hospital and Eastern Precinct represent for the university.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Doug Fletcher


Dr Doug FletcherAssociate Lecturer Mathematics and Statistics


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I came to Murdoch in 1996 as a BD student prior to commencing a PhD in theology in 1997. I began casual tutoring in statistics in 1997, and have been coordinating introductory statistics units since 2005. Introductory statistics poses an interesting teaching challenge, as most students take it under compulsion, don’t initially see its relevance, expect to dislike it, and/or lack the desirable mathematical background. Transforming my unit into a transformative experience for students has been a very satisfying journey, and I am glad for the opportunities to share my experience with colleagues in my discipline and school.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Doug Fletcher



Many students lack confidence and background skills in mathematics, or didn’t enjoy their earlier mathematics learning. I enjoy the challenge of building their skills and confidence, helping them to feel empowered, and getting them to enjoy learning about statistics and appreciating its value in scientific inquiry. I treasure emails I receive from students who indicate that their experience in introductory statistics was one of empowerment and even enjoyment, in direct contradiction to their initial expectations. Also, in a large unit there are always some students facing particular life and/or learning challenges, and it is a privilege to contribute to their personal development and their success at university.


Dr Brenton Clarke provided the introduction that led to my first casual tutoring work in statistics. I then found out how much I enjoyed teaching, and I have thrived on its challenges. As ‘elder statesman’ of statistics at Murdoch, Brenton has continued to take an interest in what I am doing and to chat about how I am developing the content and pedagogy in introductory statistics. This has been invaluable. The late Dr Marian Kemp was an unfailing source of encouragement. By employing me to teach STAT preparation and OnTrack classes she helped to kindle my interest in learning support for mathematics and statistics.


I like to think that Murdoch will remain a dynamic place of scholarship across both teaching and research. As a teaching scholar I am keen to see reflective practice in teaching and learning become embedded in Murdoch’s culture, perhaps with greater involvement from tertiary education specialists as mentors to unit coordinators and teachers in large first-year units, since these are a strategically important “front door” for the university. I look forward to the outworking of the learning and teaching renewal that is now well under way.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Susan Ledger


Dr Susan LedgerLecturer

School of Education

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I have worked at Murdoch twice over the last 15 years. The first was when I returned from England to coordinate English in the Primary years, tutor in Language Methodology and help initiate the new ECE program. I gained tenure and won a teaching award during this time but left to live and work in West Papua with my family. I began my PhD whilst working in international schools. On my return I lectured in English, Indonesian, Assessment and Research across three Universities and finished my PhD. I am currently Director of Professional Experience, Primary English and International Education.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Susan Ledger



As a life-long learner and educator I am charged with connecting people, places and projects. I like to initiate, support and scaffold projects that enhance student learning . My aim is to provide opportunities for students to develop an intrinsic love of learning, curiosity and desire to improve. There is nothing better than listening to students who have realised what it means to be an educator and who are exploring ways of connecting, extending and challenging others.


The School Deans of Education, three over the last three years have always provided me support and autonomy to try new initiatives and explore opportunities. I attribute my success to the trust and support of these empowering leaders and fellow colleagues. I am also grateful to our school manager and professional experience team who have to continually action a wide range of initiatives as well as implementing procedural changes inherent in the ever-changing and demanding educational landscape within which the Teaching Profession is positioned.


I would like Murdoch to continually be future focused and position itself as a hub for Learning, Teaching and Research in niche areas. This can be achieved by continually promoting, celebrating and supporting the wonderful people, events, programs, learning, teaching and research that takes place here on a daily basis. I would like to see a transdisciplinary approach that connects the multigenerational nature of the local, national and international community (Birth to Death – ECE to Adult Ed--cross faculty- cross sector).




CONGRATULATONS!Associate Professor

Tanya McGill


Associate Professor Tanya McGillAssociate Professor Information Technology


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I first joined Murdoch University in 1990. I have taught a wide range of units at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The main units that I currently teach relate to either developing information systems or to conducting research. I also supervise research students and have undertaken a range of administrative roles at both School and University levels.


After 25 years teaching, I still really enjoy helping students to learn. My teaching style is learner-centred. I aim to be a facilitator or guide assisting students in their learning, rather than the source of all knowledge. I find this style of teaching very rewarding. I am constantly learning new things, and find the interaction with my students very satisfying. I particularly enjoy meeting up with past students who are now making great contributions to the ICT industry.

CONGRATULATIONS!Associate Professor Tanya McGill



The Information Technology staff from the School of Engineering and Information Technology have developed a strong set of related majors that allow students to gain the core knowledge and skills needed to obtain a wide range of jobs, but also to specialise in their areas of interest. I value being part of that team.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Deborah Pino-Pasternak


Dr Deborah Pino-PasternakLecturer

School of Education

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community and how would you describe your role? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I was appointed as a Lecturer at the School of Education in January 2011. Since then I have coordinated units that explore the creation of effective learning environments and the development of productive partnerships between schools, families, and communities while supervising graduates at Master and Doctoral levels. I have been an active member of the Learning and Teaching Committee (2011-2013) and the Research Committee (2013-) and have served as the Academic Chair of the Master of Education Coursework (2014). I currently hold an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discover Early Career Research Award (DECRA) for the period 2015-2017. My research interests concern young children’s learning and the contribution of home and school contexts to early cognitive development.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Deborah Pino-Pasternak



Grounded in my research on Self-Regulated Learning my teaching philosophy aims at developing students’ ownership of the environments in which they learn while carefully scaffolding a balance of emotional/academic support and cognitive challenge. I enjoy sharing with the students the responsibility of creating an effective and stimulating learning environment. I enjoy interacting with them and linking their experiences to current theories of learning. I enjoy seeing them develop as professionals in the field of education as they are scaffolded through meaningful learning activities.


In receiving this award I would like to acknowledge and thank the support of the whole School of Education at Murdoch University. My gratitude goes to all my colleagues who have supported consistently my career progression since my arrival at this institution. The School of Education is exceptional in terms of its shared expertise and collegial support and has constituted a very fertile ground in which to thrive.


In the next few years I would like to see the Murdoch community being recognised for fully embracing the diversity of our student cohorts and for providing all the necessary scaffolds to help them succeed. I would also like to see Murdoch University being recognised for an exceptional support to Early Career Academics by encouraging their teaching and research efforts and providing sound support structures to boost their career progression.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Karin Strehlow and the

Team at Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre


Dr Karin Strehlow and TeamLecturer

Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your team’s role at Murdoch? What contribution does your team make to the university as a whole? Jordin Godula: June 2014Merl McGill: February 2011Roseanne (Rosey) Feehon: July 2014Braden Hill: January 2004Karin Strehlow: July 2007

The Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre provides academic, cultural, emotional and social support to Murdoch University’s Indigenous cohort. The Centre seeks to provide a positive learning environment that fosters academic success and life-long learning. Kulbardi also acts as the bridge between Indigenous communities and the university. Internally, the Kulbardi Centre provides leadership to the University on important Indigenous issues.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Karin Strehlow and Team


Your team has received a 2015 Vice Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Enhancing Learning. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

It is great to be able to see the transformative impact that education has on the students we work with. We are fortunate enough to support our students throughout their entire student life-cycle. We are able to see success from its very beginning. That is what motivates us every day. We know that the work we do fosters social and economic independence for our students which enables them to be in a position where they can make choices about their future. For us, we believe that education is freedom and it gives you the wings to fly.


The Centre for University Teaching and Learning for their collaboration in developing our K-Track program. The Scholarships team who work hard to ensure that our financial support was well directed and well utilised. Enrolments and Fees who are very understanding and patient when it comes to enrolling our students. School of Psychology and Exercise Science (particularly Brad Wall and Mark Hecimovich) for being so supportive of our current K-Track cohort.


It would be good to see a greater commitment from the University to Indigenous engagement with higher education. The transformative impact that it has on our students and their communities is particularly rewarding. An integrated, whole-of-university approach to Indigenous support and academic enrichment is something the Kulbardi Centre is working towards. The engagement with the Schools thus far has been encouraging and we’re hoping that it will see more Indigenous students undertake postgraduate studies and support them in achieving their educational goals.





Michael Calver

2014 AUSTRALIAN AWARDS FOR UNIVERSITY TEACHING

Award for Teaching Excellence in Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies in the discipline of

Biological Sciences

Associate Professor Michael CalverAssociate Professor Environmental and Conservation Sciences


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? With the exception of some time off to play research scientist and schoolteacher in the 1980s, I have been at Murdoch as a student or staff member since 1975. In my current position I run the biology building Happy Hour, serve as a research assistant for Honours and graduate students and give undergraduates critical commentary on the quality of their explanations for skipping class. Or, in more conventional language, I see myself as an all-round academic, contributing to university administration, research and teaching at all levels of the curriculum.

You received the Award for Teaching Excellence in Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies in the discipline of Biological Sciences at the 2014 Australian Awards for University Teaching. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

The pleasure of teaching comes from meeting challenges. The two biggest challenges are (i) presenting material that I've taught before with the freshness and vibrancy that characterised the first presentation (after all, it is the first time for the students - well, most of them) and (ii) surviving - teaching is open-ended, so I must draw a line in what I give or the demands of teaching will engulf my whole working life.

CONGRATULATIONS!Associate Professor Michael Calver

Award for Teaching Excellence in Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies in the discipline of Biological Sciences


My academic colleagues are the most inspirational bunch of talented, patient, good-humoured eccentrics ever collected in one place in Australia since 1788. Without them, I would surely quit. I must also thank the dedicated technicians, especially Claudia Mueller, Scott Munro and Michael Taylor, whose planning and attention to detail underpin every successful laboratory class and field trip.


We have no sense of priority and do everything at once and too quickly, to the detriment of each endeavour. To quote Shakespeare:Although I joy in thee,I have no joy of this contract tonight.It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,Too like the lightning, which doth cease to beEre one can say “It lightens.” Let's set priorities and strive to achieve them one by one, instead of chasing everything at once and achieving nothing. Which, returning to teaching, is drawing boundaries so tasks do not swallow everything and then ask for more.




CONGRATULATONS!The Student Advisor

Network led by Dr Janine Rix


Award for Programs the Enhance Learning for the First Year Experience

Please tell us about the conception of the Student Advisor Network and what contribution the team makes to the university as a whole?

The First Year Advisor Network (now Student Advisor Network) is a school-based, University-wide program designed to support all undergraduate students in their academic and social transition to University. The Network was instigated in 2011 under federal HEPPP funding, following on from the core recommendations from an internal review of retention at Murdoch. Student Advisors (SAs) provide tiered levels of support to students, including coordination of multiple initiatives that enhance learning and engagement (e.g., Orientation, Peer Mentoring and the UniEdge Transition Program), specific and targeted outreach campaigns, and a strict open door policy. SAs operate within their own Schools to assist students in overcoming any challenges they face, but also as the SAN to inform best practice and enhance the student experience across the University.

CONGRATULATIONS!The Student Advisor Network led by Dr Janine Rix

Award for Programs that Enhance Learning for the First Year Experience

The First Year Advisor Network has won the Award for Programs that Enhance Learning for The First Year Experience at the 2014 Australian Awards for University Teaching. Please tell us what your team enjoys most about helping people learn.

Students have come to view their SAs as the clear first point of contact, through which they can obtain advice and referrals to all other support services. The activities of the SAN enable students to obtain assistance and guidance well before any issues they are experiencing become overwhelming. The SAs enjoy building a rapport with students, helping them to overcome challenges and then seeing these students progress through their studies.

Is there anyone outside of your team in the Murdoch community you’d like to acknowledge for your success? What have they done to help you?

Many people have been involved in the implementation and development of the SAN, including, but not limited to, Gerri Box, Darren Munday, Marian Kemp, Madeleine Laming, Pam Martin-Lynch, Marie-Louise Patchitt and Tim Martin, in addition to many former SAs. The SAN would like to thank their School Managers, School Deans and Associate Deans of Teaching and Learning for their ongoing support and encouragement of the role and the program. The SAN would also like to thank the many Academic Chairs that also work alongside us to support students. Importantly, the SAN would like to express their utmost thanks to all Unit Coordinators and Tutors that take the time to report details of students that show evidence of disengaging from their studies – without their support, the SAN’s proactive outreach would not be possible.


We would like to see more emphasis placed on the pre-Orientation space and in determining how we can best prepare students for university study. We also look forward to aligning much of our activities to the upcoming University-wide Retention Plan.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Ravi Tiwari


Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Dr Ravi TiwariSenior Lecturer in Molecule Biology


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I joined Murdoch University in 1990 as a Post-Doctoral fellow at the Centre for Rhizobium Studies. Although I was appointed as a researcher, I expressed my interest in teaching to my then supervisors Prof Mike Dilworth and Prof Andrew Glen. I am really thankful to both of them for providing me an opportunity to give lectures and teach in lab classes. Later in 2000, I joined as a tenured academic staff. My aim of teaching has always been to teach in a very simple way. I have always been developing my teaching methods to achieve my aims. As an Academic chair my role keeps me involved with the progress of students and their journey at Murdoch University. I have worked in designing courses and developing articulations with overseas institutions.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Ravi Tiwari

Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

You’ve received a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at the 2014 Australian Awards for University Teaching. Please tell us what you enjoy most about helping people learn.

Coming from a developing nation, I have seen inequalities in the world based on race, religion, gender, wealth and socioeconomic status. It is my strongest belief that the key to solving these issues lies first and foremost in education – and it is this which motivates and drives me to excel as a teacher. By helping students, I develop their interest in education. Once they are interested, they start getting more and more involved in the subject. It gives me a great pleasure seeing students getting interested in learning.


There have been many staff members from whom I have learnt a number of teaching strategies. I would like to acknowledge the motivation and encouragement from A/Prof Robert Mead. Bob as a head of the department was very supportive and always passed all the encouraging comments from students to me, regarding my teaching. These comments assured me that whatever I was doing in teaching was helping and being recognized by students. Many thanks to my colleague Dr Wayne Reeve who has been very enthusiastic and supportive in taking our current research to undergraduate teaching.


I wish for the University to keep recognizing good teaching practices.




CONGRATULATONS!Danny Toohey


Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Danny TooheyAssociate Dean for Learning and Teaching


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I have been teaching in IT since 2000. During that time I’ve taught a number of units, including Databases and Business Intelligence. I’ve had a number of roles including Academic Chair of the Information Systems programmes. As Academic Chair, I spent a lot of time with individual students providing course advice. I continue to be involved with the students in Singapore and Dubai as their primary academic contact. I am currently the Associate Dean Learning and Teaching in the School of Engineering and IT; this role has quite a few (perhaps too many) meetings.

CONGRATULATIONS!Danny Toohey

Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

You’ve received a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at the 2014 Australian Awards for University Teaching. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

Teaching in a university, particularly Murdoch, is really interesting because the students are all so different; some are school leavers, some have come back to study after time working, some have come to study because they think it would be interesting to learn more about IT; in Singapore and Dubai, we have students from a broad set of backgrounds both academic and cultural. The thing I enjoy the most is when a graduate I taught years before contacts me and tells me that the stuff we did in a unit has been really valuable to them in their work life.


I find inspiration from a large number of colleagues, both professional and academic, at Murdoch. So many of them take their work very seriously and will do as much as they possibly can to make Murdoch work as best as it can. For many of them, personal advancement is not the primary motivation; their motivation really is to see the students get the best from their time at Murdoch. These are the people I need to acknowledge.


The whole tertiary sector in Australia has been changing in the last 5 years and will continue to change over the next 3-5 years. I hope that we (Murdoch) can continue to review and renew our curricula, being driven by our desire to do the best we can for our students and the community. From a broader perspective, Murdoch needs to continue to recognise achievement from its staff whether it be in learning and teaching, or research, or professional support; so many people give so much for Murdoch, without them Murdoch wouldn’t be such a great place to work.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr James Boyd

2014 School of Management and Governance Teaching Innovation Award

Dr James BoydLecturer Sustainability

School of Management and Governance

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I joined Murdoch in 2002 as a PhD student and have been employed by the university in one form or another since 2003. I have been a unit coordinator since 2010 and involved in BBS150 since November 2013. As one of the core units for the BBus, BBS150 prepares students to meet the challenges that tertiary studies involve.

You’ve received a 2014 School of Management and Governance Teaching Innovation Awards. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

People say that education is empowerment. To be given the opportunity to find the spark within a student that triggers their passion to learn is something that gives me a great deal of satisfaction. A significant proportion of Murdoch’s students have overcome enormous challenges just to get here and to be able show them that not only are they capable, but that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, makes the job worth doing.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr James Boyd

2014 School of Management and Governance Teaching Innovation Award


I would like to acknowledge the support I have received from the three other Management & Governance First Year Unit Core Unit Coordinators (Anne Clear, Vanessa Grida and Alex Dawson). My success has been due in part to the high level of academic collaboration that has occurred across the four Core Units. I would also like to acknowledge the work that has been done by the school’s Student Advisors, who have assisted in the important area of first student retention.


I sincerely hope that there will be greater recognition given to the work done by the academic and professional staff across the university who work in the first year programs and the important part that these people play in student retention. If Murdoch seriously wants to develop its international research profile it needs to nurture the scholars of the next generation, who are to be found among our first year cohort.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Charlotte Oskam

2015 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research

(Early Career Development and Achievement)

Dr Charlotte OskamLecturer Anatomy


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? In 2008 I moved to Perth from New Zealand to begin my doctoral research at Murdoch University. Graduating in 2013, with a PhD in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, I now lecture to over 400 undergraduate students in a number of Veterinary and Biomedical units within the School of VLS. I am also part of the Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group headed by Professors Peter Irwin and Una Ryan, and I co-supervise a number of post-graduate students. From discovering DNA preserved in fossil eggshell to identifying pathogens harboured within ticks, our research has contributed to putting Murdoch University on the world stage in terms of being a leading research university.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Charlotte Oskam

2015 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in ResearchEarly Career Development and Achievement

You’ve received a 2015 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

I am quite honoured be awarded this prestigious Vice Chancellor’s award. What do I enjoy most about my research and what excites me? Discovering the unknown and telling the world about it! Since I was a kid, I’ve always been passionate about exploring and discovering new things. The technology we are using here at Murdoch University is world class and it is giving our research group the leading edge to delve deeper, explore more and ask the tough questions.


I am fortunate to be surrounded by an excellent team of world-renown researchers and enthusiastic post-graduate students. The mix of experience and young passion in our research group inspires me daily. I also have a small number of mentors who provide career advice and encouragement which keeps me going.


Life as an Early Career Researcher can be hard. ECRs need to be able to establish themselves within their chosen field and build a competitive research profile. I would like to see Murdoch University continue their support for ECRs by building a stronger University-wide ECR support network and by integrating with the Australian Academy of Science Early to Mid-Career Researcher Forum.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Emma Thomas



Dr Emma ThomasSenior Lecturer in Psychology

School of Psychology and Exercise Science

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I first joined Murdoch as a teaching and research academic in 2010 in the (then) School of Psychology. I was awarded a Discovery Early Career Research Award which allowed me to pursue research on a full time basis from 2012.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Emma Thomas


You’ve received a 2015 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research. Please tell us about what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch.

My research sits on the nexus of social and political psychology. I study how people and societies change and I believe that the two (personal and social change) are inextricably linked. As such, my research bears on topics of both theoretical and practical importance: when and how do people respond to injustice? When will people take up arms (engage in violence) in pursuit of social change? What is the role of modern forms of communication technologies (facebook etc.) in initiating social change? Having the opportunity to develop and empirically test answers to some of these questions allows me to generate unique insights to pressing social problems.


I’m fortunate to work with, and be surrounded by, some amazing colleagues. I came to Murdoch in 2010 to work with Prof Craig McGarty, and his collegiality and mentorship have been instrumental in my achievements to date. More recently, my collaboration with Assoc. Prof Winnifred Louis (UQ) has been really energising. The social/developmental group in the School of Psychology & Exercise Science have been wonderfully supportive and our weekly writing group allowed me to maintain research momentum even during busy teaching periods – Assoc. Prof Ngaire Donaghue, Assoc Prof Anne Pedersen, Prof Bonnie Barber and Dr Kathy Modecki in particular.


I’d like to see Murdoch cement its reputation as a research-intensive university. Murdoch has some wonderful academic and teaching scholars; I would like to see this more widely recognised within the community but also by the all-important funding agencies.




CONGRATULATONS!Dr Jeffrey Wilson



Dr Jeffrey WilsonLecturer

School of Management and Governance

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I joined Murdoch as a Fellow of the Asia Research Centre in 2012. My research speciality is in international political economy – a subfield of political science focussed on global economic governance. My current research investigates international resource politics in the Asia-Pacific – how governments and firms negotiate agreements for trade and investment between resource rich countries (such as Australia) and resource-poor countries (like China). I am also the Chief Investigator (with Mark Beeson, UWA) on an ARC Discovery Project on Australia-China economic relations (DP150100217). My administrative roles include membership of the Human Research Ethics Committee and Program Coordinator of the Master of International Affairs degree in the Sir Walter Murdoch School.

CONGRATULATIONS!Dr Jeffrey Wilson



Asia is a very resource-insecure region. As many developing countries successfully industrialise and urbanise, their demand for food, minerals and energy has soared. And with global supplies limited, rivalry and internecine competition for access to natural resource has intensified in our region. My research investigates the political and economic drivers of these conflicts, and seeks to understand how intergovernmental resource relationships can be more effectively managed for the benefit of both producing and consuming states. It is particularly satisfying to be able to work on pressing policy issues such as resource security. A highlight was my involvement as a Commissioner in the 2013 First Murdoch Commission on Western Australian and the Evolving Regional Order.


I am privileged to be able to work in the Asia Research Centre here at Murdoch, which for over twenty years has been recognised as one of the region’s leading research institutes on social, political and economic issues in Asia. My colleagues are not only world-class researchers, but have created an exemplary collegial environment in which collaborative approaches are the norm. I am particularly indebted to senior mentors who have supported my development as a researcher, especially Dr Shahar Hameiri, Professor Garry Rodan and the Director of the Asia Research Centre, Professor Kevin Hewison.


The Australian Universities sector is at a (somewhat unpleasant) cross-roads. Attracting students is becoming more competitive, government funding is declining in real terms, and resources will increasingly be concentrated in fewer programs and institutions. Success in this environment will depend on being able to demonstrate to policymakers, students and the wider public that both our research and teaching are world-class. Research success is a major component not only of institutional performance, but also – rightly or wrongly! – public perceptions of University quality. I hope Murdoch can continue to build on the successes of recent years in developing our profile as a research-led institution.





Trish Fleming


(Outstanding Research Development)

Associate Professor Trish FlemingAssociate Professor Environmental and Conservation Sciences


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? Time has flown by, and I have already been at Murdoch for a decade. I have enjoyed my role in teaching and research, and appreciate the warm and energetic environment at this university. I was attracted to Murdoch by its longstanding track record in Wildlife Ecology and Biology. This is an important teaching and research area at Murdoch, and our graduates are placed in important roles around the country. My own research is around ecology and behaviour of wildlife. We often need basic information on the habitat selection, diet, and behavioural responses to challenges of our wildlife species if we are to appropriately manage their environment to conserve them.

CONGRATULATIONS!Associate Professor Trish Fleming

2015 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in ResearchOutstanding Research Development


In my experience, Murdoch students are extremely motivated and dedicated to achieving their aims. This makes our jobs as teachers much easier as well as very rewarding.


The structural changes that we have witnessed at Murdoch have been challenging, but have also developed opportunities for collaborations and recognition of our common goals.




CONGRATULATONS!Professor David Pethick


(Distinguished and Sustained Achievement)

Professor David PethickProfessor Biochemistry


Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community. How would you describe your role at Murdoch? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole? I was appointed straight from completing a PhD at Cambridge University in March 1980 as a lecturer level 1 in Biochemistry & Nutrition within what was called the School of Veterinary Sciences (I was the youngest staff member). The job specs were simple = undertake undergraduate teaching in Biochemistry and Nutrition to Veterinary Science students and build a research profile of my choosing including postgraduate supervision. Murdoch also had a myriad of committees in those days. In time the student load was dramatically increased with teaching into new degrees of Biomedical, Chiropractic and Animal Science culminating in the development of a larger staff base to underpin a world leading research team within the Centre for Production Animals.

CONGRATULATIONS!Professor David Pethick

2015 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in ResearchDistinguished and Sustained Achievement


As the son of farming stock I grew up with a research orientated view of the world and with a fascination for new knowledge underpinned by logic and experimentation. Little did I know that research excellence, especially in the area of Agricultural Animal Science and Nutritional Biochemistry would open opportunities for influencing global science and commercial outcomes – production animals are big business and the scope to lead National & International R&D associated with the red meat supply chains (Farm -> Processing -> Retailing -> Consumer) has been challenging but both rewarding and humbling. This combined with the training vibrant undergraduate, honours and higher degree students represents a privilege afforded to few.


Murdoch University and its leadership group over a 35 year period has been second to none for a can do attitude combined with World class facilities. Numerous people are to be thanked, especially my early career mentors – Emeritus Profs Jeff Gawthorne and Nick Costa along with 7 Post Doctorial fellows, 29 post graduate students (23 graduated) of which 5 (Pluske, Gardner, Jacobson, Laurence, McGilchrist) are tenured staff who now are leading the Centre for Production Animals into even stronger National and International recognition. International colleagues, especially Prof Jean-François Hocquette (France), Nigel Scollan (UK), Yasuhiro Aoki (Japan) and Qingxiang Meng (China) have been crucial to achieving global outcomes. Of course I owe deep gratitude to my PhD supervisor Prof Dereck Lindsay (UK).


The recipe for success has never changed since Murdoch’s inception – appoint high calibre staff strategically into areas of teaching and research strength who respect student outcomes and have a deep passion for making societal change via their research. Combine this with a can do management style with support for areas that have combined student load and R&D tack records will see us build even further in the years to come

Murdoch University Staff Awards Winners Gallery 2015

Education

Transcript of Murdoch University Staff Awards Winners Gallery 2015