CAMPUS Issue 14, November 2023

CAMPUS

Issue 14, November 2023

The staff of The George Alexander Foundation.

CEO Update

Throughout this year, my first year as Chief Executive Officer of The George Alexander Foundation, it has been heartwarming to meet and be welcomed by members of this incredible community.

In August, the Foundation held an online workshop, Burn Bright (Don't Burnout), for our GAF community, which explored activities and approaches for nurturing resilience. It was a pleasure to welcome the workshop's attendees and see so many of our community members taking part in the Foundation's Resilient Leaders program, our newly launched professional development resource for scholars, fellows, and alums.

With the end of 2023 fast approaching, we are now seeking our community's involvement in planning next year's workshops. I encourage all our scholars, fellows, and alums to participate in the 2024 Resilient Leaders survey included in this edition of Campus. By lending us your perspective, you're giving us valuable insights into how we can shape next year's workshops to support your educational journey and professional ambitions.

In September, Program Manager Mairead Phillips and I travelled to Gladstone, Queensland, to join 12 of our Earthwatch Australia Student Challenge fellows on their expedition, Protecting the Reef's Coastal Frontier. Together, we learnt about mangrove and saltmarsh habitats and the urgent need to monitor and protect Australia's tidal wetlands. In the story below, you can learn more about the expedition and our Student Challenge fellows' valuable contribution to conservation research.

In October, the Foundation's Partner Community of Practice met online to share insights and learnings around best-practice scholarship and fellowship program delivery. Thank you to all the staff from our Program Partners who welcomed me to this group and the GAF community throughout 2023. I look forward to visiting our Program Partner Institutes across Australia next year.

As 2023 draws to a close, I wish you all the best with the end of the academic year and hope you have a safe and restorative festive season.

Paul Conroy
CEO

Take part in the 2024 Resilient Leaders survey!

We've begun brainstorming ideas for next year's Resilient Leaders Program workshops, and we want your input.

Your insights will ensure we can align next year's events to our community's needs and deliver workshops that help you succeed in your educational journey and professional ambitions.

Start the survey

Ella | RMIT University

Learn about Ella's fieldwork expedition on Lizard Island, how she's learnt to harness her motivation and productivity, and her plan to move to Hobart to study for a Master of Marine and Antarctic Sciences at the University of Tasmania.

Read

Eve | Deakin University

Architecture student Eve shares her experience visiting Malaysia on Deakin's Intercultural Dialogue through Design study tour and the importance of trying new things, meeting new people, and investing in your personal growth at university.

Read

Making a difference in the mangroves

In September 2023, our latest Student Challenge fellows undertook a weeklong scientific expedition, Protecting the Reef's Coastal Frontier, in Gladstone, Queensland. Throughout the expedition, fellows completed fieldwork activities, collecting data to advance conservation research on Australia's tidal wetlands.

Read

Colby | Deakin University

Colby shares the well-being practices he lived by to prevent burnout and thrive in his academic career and his latest project - creating research-backed content to empower individuals in supporting their mental well-being.

Read

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.