Holding up mirrors: reflections on academic literacy development across course curricula

The aim of the HEPPP funded project presented here is to embed support for the development of academic literacies (Lea & Street 1998) by developing inclusive curricula in courses with a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) backgrounds (Devlin et al. 2012). Reflection is central in both the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) and the Bachelor of Social Work, and the student profiles in these two courses mirror each other, but the approach taken differs. Many BECE students enter university through a TAFE pathway, some have low or no school exit scores and may have faced significant educational disadvantage in the past (Whitington et al. 2009). The BECE team responded to the invitation to use the Harper (2011) framework for academic literacy mapping by revising it and making it their own. Similarly, a large proportion of social work students are mature aged and first in their family to attend university with many entering via the TAFE sector (Goldingay et al. 2011). This earlier study found differences between staff and student perceptions of the academic skills needed for success, so resources developed through the project drew on the student voice and student perceptions to invite new students into disciplinary practices. This presentation will illustrate the approaches taken by Language and Learning Advisers (LLAs) working collaboratively with these two academic teams to help academic staff reflect on, scaffold and support the development of the academic literacies relevant to their discipline and provide more relevant feedback (Jolly 2001)

Where less may be more: how the rare biosphere pulls ecosystems strings

Rare species are increasingly recognized as crucial, yet vulnerable components of Earth’s ecosystems. This is also true for microbial communities, which are typically composed of a high number of relatively rare species. Recent studies have demonstrated that rare species can have an over-proportional role in biogeochemical cycles and may be a hidden driver of microbiome function. In this review, we provide an ecological overview of the rare microbial biosphere, including causes of rarity and the impacts of rare species on ecosystem functioning. We discuss how rare species can have a preponderant role for local biodiversity and species turnover with rarity potentially bound to phylogenetically conserved features. Rare microbes may therefore be overlooked keystone species regulating the functioning of host-associated, terrestrial and aquatic environments. We conclude this review with recommendations to guide scientists interested in investigating this rapidly emerging research area

Caring in an uncaring context: towards a critical ethics of care in social work with people seeking asylum

In Chapter 10, Sharlene Nipperess explores what it means to care in the uncaring context of punitive measures of government responses to people seeking asylum. Focusing on the Australian context, which has some of the harshest policies in the world directed at asylum seekers, the chapter explores what it means for social workers to care in such a context. She argues that caring is not enough, and that for an ethics of care to have value for social work practice with people seeking asylum, it needs to move towards a critical ethics of care. Such an approach pays attention to the principles of human rights and social justice, as well as incorporating an intersectional analysis and a commitment to critically reflective practice

Greening Australian social work practice and education

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You roll up your sleeves and you help, and work with people - Robyn Miller

Dr. Robyn Miller is a social worker and family therapist with over 30 years experience in the field. She began her career as a social work practitioner at Catholic Family Welfare in 1980 and attained the demanding leadership positions of Principal Practitioner in 2006, and Director and Chief Practitioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Victoria in 2014. Robyn has been a member of the Victorian Child Death Review Committee for the past nine years. She has worked in the community sector, local government and child protection and at the Bouverie Centre, Victoria's Family Institute at La Trobe University, as a senior clinician and consultant. She has published several articles and chapters and authored the Best Interests Series for the DHS. Robyn is noted for her innovative practice with children and families where there is complex and trans-generational trauma. She supports and inspires professionals to always keep the best interests of children at the centre of decisions. By providing valuable practice leadership to social workers within and beyond the department, Robyn has effected positive change in the lives of many Victorians. She was the recipient of the inaugural Robin Clark memorial Ph.D. scholarship in 2004 and a Robin Clark Memorial Award in 2010 for her inspirational leadership in the field

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and multicultural responsibilities

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Critical multiculturalism in practice

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