Invited Speakers
Details of the invited speakers will be posted as they are confirmed.
Alison Larkins
Acting Commonwealth Ombudsman
Prior to joining the Commonwealth Ombudsman Alison was the First Assistant Secretary of the Compliance and Case Resolution Division in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. She joined the Department of Immigration in 2006, working on an extensive reform program within the Department.
Prior to joining the Department of Immigration Alison worked for 12 years for the Department of Health and Ageing. During this time she was the Department's State Manager in Tasmania and held various roles in Aboriginal health policy, health workforce policy, human resources and health information. From 1991 to 1994 she worked with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, primarily in employment and training policy areas.
She was born in Tasmania, has a son in high school, and studied history at the Australian National University.
Plenary Presentation: Overseas Students Ombudsman: Directions and strategy
This session is sponsored by our partner
Dr Gregor Kennedy
University of Melbourne
Gregor Kennedy is the Director of eLearning at The University of Melbourne based in The Centre for the Study of Higher Education. As the Director of eLearning he leads the University's strategy in technology-enhanced learning and teaching, supports staff in the use of learning technologies, and undertakes research in the area of eLearning. He has a background in psychology and has spent the last 15 years conducting and overseeing research and development projects in educational technology in tertiary education. His research interests include staff and students’ use of technology, contemporary learning design and emerging technologies, approaches to educational technology research and evaluation, computer-based interactivity and engagement, and the use of electronic measures for educational research and evaluation. He has published widely in these areas.
Plenary Presentation: "We're moving with the times" ... Unpacking university responses to students' use of new technologies
Gayle Woodruff
University of Minnesota
Gayle Woodruff is the director of curriculum and campus internationalization for the University of Minnesota system. She provides leadership for developing initiatives aimed at faculty development, campus internationalization, and the evaluation and assessment of internationalization. Previously she directed Minnesota’s innovative study abroad curriculum integration initiative. Gayle has published on numerous topics in international education.
She has served as the faculty mentor and instructor for the Minnesota Studies in International Development program to Ecuador. She is the recipient of the University’s John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising.
Gayle has served as the chair for the Teaching, Learning, & Scholarship Knowledge Community of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and continues to be active in NAFSA leadership.
Gayle is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s International Education and Development program, and has also worked in multicultural affairs and collegiate advising while at the University.
Plenary Presentation: Impact of Study Abroad on Campus Internationalization: A View from the U.S.
Click here to download the full paper.
Dr Dean Chan
University of Wollongong
Dr. Dean Chan is Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and Communication in the School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication at the University of Wollongong. Prior to this, he was Lecturer in Contemporary Arts/Visual Culture (1999-2011) and Postdoctoral Fellow in Asian Digital Media (2004-2007) at Edith Cowan University in Perth.
His research interests centre on digital media (especially gaming and social media) and visual culture (especially contemporary art and comics) in the Asia-Pacific region, focussing on East Asian and diasporic Asian issues. Recent publications include the co-edited book Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific (New York: Routledge, 2009) and the co-edited special issue of Amerasia Journal (2010) on ‘Asian Australia and Asian America: Making Transnational Connections’.
Dean is Founding Convenor of the International Network for Diasporic Asian Art Research (INDAAR) [http://www.indaar.asianaustralianstudies.org] and an Executive Member of the Asian Australian Studies Research Network (AASRN) since 2006. He is also Editor (Diasporic Asia) of Asian Studies Review (Routledge Journals)and Associate Editor of Studies in Comics (Intellect Journals); and he is on the editorial boards of Journal of Simulation/Gaming for Development and Digital Culture and Education.
He has delivered numerous keynote and invited presentations on Asian transnational media and diaspora cultures. Most recently, he presented the keynote address entitled ‘Between the Diasporic and the Transnational’ at The Future of Asian Art, a symposium at the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU in May 2011.
Andrew Thomas
IELTS, Principal Examiner
Andrew has contributed to English language teaching and testing for over 35 years, in positions in Australasia and Europe. From 1993-2004 he was Reviews Editor of the EA Journal. Andrew has been involved in IELTS since 1989, as an examiner, Examiner Trainer and, since 2007, as a Principal Examiner.
Breakfast Session: Show me an IELTS band score 7 - an insight into language proficiency levels
Matt Welsh
Bupa Australia, Health and Wellness programs
With a relatively late start to his swimming career, Matt Welsh burst onto the swimming world stage at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. At his first Olympics, Matt came home a triple Olympic Medallist after only starting competitive swimming at the age of 18. Matt spent over 10 years representing Australia at the highest level of sport and in that time won over 20 Olympic, World and Commonwealth games medals. Matt has also won more Australian swimming titles than any swimmer in history with his 56th title in 2007.
Over the years, Matt has worked with and represented many companies including Holden, Telstra, HBA and Samsung. With his credibility and personality, Matt has been the face and voice of various promotions from health campaigns to community safety announcements. Matt has also taken the opportunity to give back to the community, working with various charities such as the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Matt has always enjoyed working in the media not only in the sporting arena but on shows such as ‘Thank god you’re here’, ‘20 to 1’ and major current affairs shows, among his many appearances. He recently got to show his competitive side again on ‘Talking ‘bout your generation’, and is in constant demand because of his personality and professionalism.
In 2006 Matt married Lauren Newton, daughter of Bert and Patti Newton, and has since become father to son Sam, and daughter Eva.
After retiring in 2008, Matt is now working with Bupa Australia with their Health and Wellness programs.
Plenary Presentation: Olympic athlete to life athlete
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