Shaping Canberra: A civic showcase of community focused research and partnerships

Join UC's Civic Leadership team and partners for a community-focused showcase, panel discussion and Q&A about the University of Canberra's role in the future of our region and how our research is contributing to a better future. Hear from the researchers and our partners who are reintroducing frog species to Canberra, collaborating with runners of all skills and abilities to prevent injuries, training our city’s future teachers and tackling the loneliness epidemic in our local communities. This event is for anyone interested in the future of our city and region.

Speakers:

• Dr Barbara Walsh is a Senior Research Fellow at UC’s Health Research Institute. Barbara is part of the team behind “Connect Up 2617”, a program with the objective of tackling loneliness in young people in the Belconnen and Bruce communities. The project, which first rolled out in August 2024, will trial sustainable ways for residents aged between 18-30 to meaningfully connect, create and share experiences, and develop a sense of community belonging.

• Dr Emily Hills is an Assistant Professor in Teacher Education and the Director of UC’s Affiliated Schools program. The program is a partnership between the ACT Government and UC designed to improve student learning through professional learning for pre-service and current teachers, and research in schools. With 25 associated schools, the program aims to improve teacher education and learning outcomes in Canberra.

• Mel Bingley is the Race Director of the award-winning Stromlo Running Festival (SRF), Canberra’s largest trail running event. Mel is a passionate advocate for community and connection through movement. Earlier this year, SRF announced UC as its official education partner, with the objective of fostering innovation, collaboration and social impact within the running community. The first result of this partnership was the celebration of a joint research summit where members of the SRF community were able to elevate their preparation for the festival through presentations on UC’s cutting-edge research on topics of their interest, including heat acclimation, nutrition and injury prevention.

• Professor Richard Duncan is a Centenary Professor at the University of Canberra and the Director of Institute for Applied Ecology. Alongside other UC researchers, Richard is behind a landmark project to reintroduce the green and golden bell frog to Canberra, where it had been extinct since 1979, as a result of the deadly chytrid fungus. The project, which was awarded over $900,000 in the latest ARC Discovery Project round, will introduce frogs which have been immunised against the fungus, as well as carry out habitat interventions across 25 wetlands in the ACT to ensure that future generations of golden bell frogs are able to thrive in Canberra.

Order of events:

1. Introduction: what is a civic university?
2. Showcase of civic projects.
3. Panel discussion and Q&A.

Accessibility: this venue is accessible but please let us know if you require any specific adjustments.

This event is hosted by UC’s Civic Leadership Team as part of Research Festival 2024. Get involved and explore the full program on our website.