• Charles Sturt University researcher projects highlight positive change

The webinar on Wednesday 9 September is part of Social Science Week 2020 (Monday 7 to Sunday 13 September).

Lecturer, social worker, and webinar organiser Ms Rohena Duncombe in the Charles Sturt School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said, “The four presentations amplify the webinar theme ‘How social sciences change our world’.

“During Social Sciences Week 2020 we assert that social science is more than an academic exercise, but rather that it changes our view of the world, and depending on how we go about it, can also change that world.”

The presentations are:

1. ‘Playground users’ experience of a socially inclusive playspace: The case study of Livvi’s Place, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia’ presented by Associate Professor Rosemary Black from Charles Sturt and Dr Janice Ollerton from UNSW. They will present their research and examine ‘playground inclusivity’. Read summary details here.

They found that friendships were formed, conversations started, and playful interactions were experienced there, demonstrating that playgrounds do facilitate people connecting and becoming members of the local community.

2. ‘Culturally sensitive palliative care for regional communities: A Human Rights Perspective’ presented by Dr Sabine Wardle, Lecturer in social work and human services at Charles Sturt University. Her research has focussed on exploring the culturally appropriate end-of-life care for ageing minority and burgeoning population groups in regional NSW.

Dr Wardle argues that regardless of the culture and geographical location, culturally sensitive palliative care provision is a human right to ensure dignity and well-being towards the end-of-life. It requires effective communication and sensitivity to socio-cultural, religious, spiritual and linguistic needs.

3. ‘From Social Science to Social Action’ presented by Ms Rohena Duncombe. This action research project brought together homeless people and service providers to develop local strategies, including an initiative project to provide dental care.

4. ‘Black Summer Bushfires: Social work, sociological and theological perceptions about the essential role of volunteers’ presented by Ms Monica Short, a social work lecturer at Charles Sturt. Her presentation will highlight the essential role of volunteers from grassroots faith-based organisations, such as Anglicare in the NSW south coast, during the catastrophic Black Summer Bushfires (September 2019 - March 2020).

Join the Zoom webinar from 12pm to 2pm on Wednesday 9 September by registering and logging on here (password: Inclusion)

Charles Sturt University is a partner of Social Sciences Week 2020 and information about the other events Charles Sturt is hosting during the week will be made available on the University’s news site.