A new resource from the Division of Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement explores the impact of community-centred learning experiences on students and communities and includes lessons for staff.
UNSW has a long history of providing immersive education experiences for students, including through community-centred learning programs in disciplines such as the built environment and engineering. The University’s commitment to such initiatives is reflected in our new Societal Impact Framework.
The Division of Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement (SIEE) has recently produced a new resource exploring these education experiences undertaken in a community-centred way with some of UNSW’s partners. The 30-minute video centres around an interview with three UNSW academics: Samantha Rich, Yuwaya Ngarra-li Housing Project Manager, Eva Lloyd, Senior Lecturer School of Built Environment, and Professor Greg Leslie, Director of the Global Water Institute.
All these academics have led community-centred learning experiences – and in the case of Samantha, experienced one as a student as well.
The video also features contributions from students, community members and other academics involved in projects in Walgett, Bourke and the Chen Dan Daek neighbourhood in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
It can be used as a teaching tool in classrooms and for community members and University facilitators of community partnerships to think through what makes these experiences sustainable, impactful and beneficial to communities.
The resource was launched last month, where it was introduced by Vice-President of Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement Professor Verity Firth AM. A panel discussion followed, chaired by Yuwaya Ngarra-li Director Professor Ruth McCausland and including Pro-Vice Chancellor Societal Impact & Inclusion Professor Bruce Watson, Yuwaya Ngarra-li Senior Research Fellow Peta MacGillivray, and graduates Dehan Silva and Rory Lewis who completed a community-centred learning experience.
Pictured top: (L-R) Pro-Vice Chancellor Societal Transformation & Equity Professor Bruce Watson, ADA student Rory Lewis, Yuwaya Ngarra-li Senior Research Fellow Peta MacGillivray, ADA graduate Dehan Silva and Yuwaya Ngarra-li Director Associate Professor Ruth McCausland at the video launch panel discussion.
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