The Arts, Education and Law Group is off to a very strong start for 2015, in particular in the areas of teaching and learning success as well as for the amazing achievement s of our students and alumni.
The entire Griffith community was celebrating the news that Associate Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet, from the Conservatorium was named Australian University Teacher of the Year.
This is an amazing achievement. I was also heartened to hear of the success in the teaching and learning area of other staff from the group.
For example, at the prestigious Australian Awards for University Teaching School of Education and Professional Studies Associate Professor Leonie Rowan was recognised with a Teaching Excellence Award for her extensive practice and scholarly contribution to developing our “teachers of the future”.
Additionally, Dr Judith Kearney, also from the School of Education and Professional Studies, was acknowledged as part of the ‘Widening Tertiary Participation Program for Pasifika Community’ program team which received the Award for Programs and Teams that Enhance Student Learning.
These awards recognise the amazing quality of the learning and teaching activities across the group, and this strength is illustrated in the activities and overall success of our alumni.
Recent examples of some of the great work of our alumni includes Griffith Law School Alumnus Chris Flynn leading the legal team that worked to free journalist Peter Greste from an Egyptian prison and in Creative and Visual Arts, Queensland College of Art photography honours graduate Raphaela Rosella winning one of the world’s most coveted photographic prizes, to name just a few.
It is no surprise with our strong commitment and achievements in the educational space that the School of Education and Professional studies is also working effectively with key stakeholders to ensure the new federal reforms focused on improving teacher quality will be effective.
Our Schools’ commitment to teacher quality has been an enduring feature for the group and our academic leaders have worked to continually shape the agenda to lead to practical and quality outcomes for the sector.
The great minds across the group are also being sought internationally, with History Associate Professor Bruce Buchan selected for two prestigious fellowships, one at the University of Copenhagen and the other at the National Maritime Museum, in Greenwich, UK, which adds to the international recognition of the School of Humanities and our strength in History research.
This year will also see the Griffith Film School’s in-house Work Integrated Learning production studio, LiveLab, ramp up activities with the appointment of a new Creative Director, Richard Fabb.
Richard joins the AEL Group with more than 25 years of industry experience across the UK and Australia, providing invaluable industry learning experiences for students and high quality production services for businesses and community groups.
It is most pleasing to witness the Arts, Education and Law Group continuing to make significant contributions across the spheres of learning and teaching, research and community engagement so early into 2015.
I have no doubt that 2015 will be one of the most significant years for our community.
The achievements of our students, staff and alumni illustrate the quality and character of what it means to be part of the Arts, Education and Law Group. 2015 provides further opportunities to hear of the many success stories emerging from the group and I look forward to sharing more of these amazing achievements with you throughout the year.
Paul Mazerolle
Pro Vice Chancellor (Arts, Education & Law)
Griffith University