Online - Breaking Barriers

Australia claims to value a “fair go” – and access to tertiary education is vital for a fair, equitable and inclusive society. 

But discrimination, on the basis of race and culture, disability, neurodivergence, gender, disadvantage and distance, still creates barriers to educational attainment.

How can tertiary education lead the way in breaking barriers – inside our institutions, and across our communities? 

Our panelists will share their lived experience, call out injustice, and map the priorities they see for real change. 

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://cqu.zoom.us/j/89007016...
Passcode: 983679
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Dr Melinda Mann is a proud Darumbal woman and South Sea Islander, and CQUniversity Senior Learning Designer and Lecturer – First Nations Cultural Competency. Melinda lives on her Darumbal homelands in Rockhampton Central Queensland. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous Nation building, Pacific sovereignties, and regional and rural communities. Melinda has a background in student services, learning design, community organising and academic research. Her lived experiences as a Darumbal person living on Darumbal Country and in community with others inform her worldview and approaches to her professional work. 

Sam Drummond is an author, lapsed lawyer and human rights advocate. Growing up in regional Victoria, he was diagnosed with a form of dwarfism at a young age. After studying Arts and Law at Monash University, he found himself working in community, commercial and public radio. He eventually found a use for his law degree, specialising in human rights and discrimination law. Sam has contributed to several books, including Growing Up Disabled in Australia, and recently released his memoir Broke - which takes a look at disability, non-traditional families and rural disadvantage. He lives in Melbourne with his partner, their daughter and pet Labrador. 

Professor Kate Ames is a multi-award-winning educator, and leader across tertiary education, Defence, and not-for-profit sectors. As Director of Learning Design and Innovation at CQUniversity, she leads a diverse team to support equitable and accessible learning for students, through inclusive and hyper-flexible learning platform Be Different. Her professional experience includes continuous service as a part-time Army soldier and officer since 1997, and she is currently a senior military public affairs officer in the Australian Army (Reserve). Prof Ames is a passionate advocate for distance education and impactful communication to promote community connection.

CJ Thom grew up queer and with a disadvantaged background in regional Queensland, but an equity scholarship helped him unlock education, opportunities and connections. The QUT alumnus has worked with CQUniversity Brisbane, and is growing his change-making career with Wellways Australia, a not-for-profit service provider working to create an inclusive community where everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential. Through Wellways Carer Gateway, CJ is focused on helping ensure Australia's 2.65 million carers get the support they need.

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Shift your perspective, discover initiatives growing equity and inclusion, and get inspired for practical action to drive change.

Moderated by CQUniversity’s Social Innovation Program Manager Ashley Clarke, the session will also include an audience Q&A.

It’s a conversation vital for achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

CQUniversity is driving social change, innovation, equity and inclusion as an Ashoka U Changemaker University, and Australia’s first social enterprise university certified by Social Traders

For more Festival of Change events on campus and online, browse the full schedule here.