Collaborative keynote at ECUlture
Wednesday, 05 November 2014
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Lynley Pickett and Jaime Phillips at ECUlture
The keynote celebrated a collaboration between ECU and Palea Project Associates, to place Aboriginal perspectives in the curriculum across 14 courses. The project leaders Jaime Phillips and Barbara Hostalek achieved practical results through open communication and relationship building with academics. Their collaborative keynote involved sharing stories with Lynley Pickett, an esteemed Noongar elder, Professor Sue Stoney from CLD and three lecturers: David Cook, Natalie Gately and Ganesh Arulampalam.
The audience commended this practical and inspiring presentation, which demonstrated how Aboriginal perspectives have been placed in courses as diverse as Computer Science, Criminology and Engineering. Lecturers described the importance of overcoming fear, seeking out knowledge, trying something new and refining their efforts as they gained more insight and experience. There were examples of this project enhancing student employability and industry-readiness.
More than 140 staff from across the University registered and there were 26 sessions specific to teaching at ECU. There was an Innovative Practice Competition, with the four winners being voted on by 138 staff. Winners were Matt McGinniss and Monty King, Jason Barrow, Ruben Phillips, and Megan Huggett.
Catering was provided by Kuditj Café, who provided authentic Aboriginal food.