Sustainability Forum

A conference-like event on how sustainable pedagogies and practices can be implemented into higher education curricula. The Forum is a platform for thought-provoking discussions and sharing of ideas, offering practical examples on how to enhance teaching practices, and enrich students’ learning experience. This event is a student-led initiative as part of Murdoch University's Students as Change Agents Program.

Hybrid event (In-person and Online attendance available)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Dr Kimberley Beasley (PhD, M.Phil, B.Ed) is a Researcher and Lecturer in Early Childhood and Primary Education at Murdoch University. She completed her PhD in Education with a focus on native plant knowledge in early childhood education in Australia. Dr Beasley is passionate about the intersection between natural playspaces, botany and education. She has successfully implemented Sustainable Community Education Programs as assessment components in her units at Murdoch University. As Founding Director of ‘Childscapes’, she has put her research into practice through the design of natural play spaces for children. Dr Beasley is internationally recognised for her contributions to botany research and nature pedagogies. As a Keynote at the Forum, Dr Beasley will share her experiences moving her teaching out of the classroom and away from PowerPoints to teaching in bush and garden spaces through more multimodal, sustainable and creative teaching methods.

Professor Sandra Wooltorton (PhD, M.Ed, BA (Hons), B.Ed) is a Professor and Senior Research Fellow with the Nulungu Research Institute at the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Broome Campus, and an Adjunct Professor and Senior Research Fellow with the Centre for People Place and Planet, Edith Cowan University. She is a trans-disciplinary researcher, with a background in cultural geography and education. Professor Wooltorton is passionate about applying place-based philosophy to generate solutions to problems of society and environment. She is interested in prefigurative cultures for co-constructing the world we want to live in; or living the change we want to see. Some of her research explores how leadership supports the interests of Aboriginal and multi-species justice, and how to learn biocultural co-stewardship. As a Keynote at the Forum, Professor Wooltorton will share updated research from her paper, Learning Regenerative Cultures.

Showcase Presenters are closest in style to traditional conference presentations. The showcase presenter will have 20 minutes to provide a didactic overview, with 5 minutes for questions at the end. The theme of the Forum is ‘Kicking Sustainability Goals in Higher Education’. Showcase presenters are invited to share a succinct teaching and learning research question in the field of sustainable pedagogy and practice. The research question will be conceptualised to a point of having findings and discussion points ready for dissemination. The key aspect is to share a learning and teaching practice in a scholarly fashion. Successful showcase presentations share three to six key points with the audience to enable them to consider how it might influence the learning experience of their students or teaching practice overall. 

‘Immersive Sustainability Bites’ session involves an immersive micro activity in an exhibition convention style for participants. This is an activity that your learners undertake (‘learners’ are defined relevant to particular context). The theme of the Forum is ‘Kicking Sustainability Goals in Higher Education’. Participants play with, see, do, or experience your Immersive Sustainability Bite in an open ‘expo’ style of event. They wander around the room, observing activities, and choosing things to try out. It might be an innovative learning object, successful sustainable project, micro activity or demonstration, interactive digital poster (e.g. QR codes), something in your online environment, or a 'meet my discipline' showcase. All Bites will be spread around a large room for participants to mingle and choose. Presenters must be present at the stall to organise, explain, discuss, or facilitate as relevant. Successful Immersive Sustainability Bites have a clear engagement element or hands on activity. 

Student Panel session is a panel discussion in an open conversation manner. The panellists will be current students. This panel discussion is for students to share their ideas, thoughts, comments on sustainability in higher education. Panellists will be encouraged to explore specific topics, perspectives and opinions in an engaging and respectful manner. The panel discussion will be facilitated by some moderator-curated questions directed to the student panellists. There will also be an opportunity for some questions from the audience. Therefore, panellists should be comfortable answering questions on the spot. Student panellists will be confident public speakers who are passionate about sustainability and are able to articulate their opinions and engage in respectful conversations. 

Event Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MUSus...