Women’s Partnership Project
Whiteford G1*, Goddard L2, Mackie S2,
Coombe K3 and Lawler L3
1. Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
2. Nursing, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
3. Charles Sturt University, Dubbo, NSW, Australia
The profile of women academics is often characterised by close ties
with their professional and local communities. Whilst this profile may
be advantageous to professional groups and community organisations and
the building of an ethos of active university/community engagement, it
may be seen as having a detrimental impact on the career development of
the women. This is because it detracts from time spent on research and
other scholarly activities such as publishing.
This presentation will describe an innovative response to such a scenario.
It details a project undertaken in two sites in rural/regional NSW which
involved mothers and families of children with disabilities and teachers,
community members and indigenous youth, alongside women academics from
Charles Strut University. As well as facilitating each distinct community
building project running in the two sites, the overarching goal was to
enhance the professional development of the community and university women
involved.
Key objectives of the presentation will be to provide the background
to the project and the outcomes in each community and for the women involved.
The presentation will conclude with some of the narrative data drawn from
the women participants as part of the project evaluation as well as recommendations
for future directions.
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