Communication, Arts and Education

The Communications, Arts and Education (CAE) group is a new discipline area formed in 2007. It aims to use the Arts and Education as a platform to transcend disciplinary boundaries, to provide and promote integrated perspectives on research.

The CAE group will provide scholarly, intellectual, educative and artistic perspectives to the work of existing ILWS groups. The main objectives are to:

  1. engage in research that will enhance and promote the cultural, social and educational outcomes in inland communities;
  2. interrogate and promote the artistic and educative aspects of existing and emerging research of the institute, and explore cultural practice that emerges as communities interact with the environment.

Communication, Arts and Education Team Members of the CAE group at a development meeting in December 2007, with ILWS Associate Director A/Prof Robyn Watts (centre left, black shirt) and Director, Prof Max Finlayson (centre right, black shirt).

Research Strengths

The common theme of the CAE objectives is the development of education, arts and cultural outcomes that contribute to the sustainability of inland regional communities; and dissemination of information through creative works and the development of appropriate educative practices. The skills of the members in regard to generating creative works and developing and evaluating educative programs are substantial.

The exploration of inland regional arts and educational practice has the potential to enrich the quality of life and sustainability of these communities in addition to disseminating the important information that is unearthed as a result of the work of other ILWS groups.

Examples of Current Projects under consideration

1) The Faculty of Education has allocated $20,000 to develop a proposal to establish an Environmental Education Awareness Centre on the Thurgoona campus. The group will be a part of this development process.

2) In conjunction with the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the CAE has commenced discussions with St Joseph Boorowa to establish ways to evaluate and document the schools environmental awareness program. This program is sponsored by the Lachlan CMA, has been conducted over several years and enjoys a high profile within the education community as an effective program.

Members

There are 15 members of the CAE group including 14 academic staff and 1 adjunct .

Partner Organisations

Partner organisations of CAE include Community Cultural Development, NSW TAFE Riverina Institute and the Lachlan CMA.

Contacts

John Rafferty (leader)
Ph 02 6051 9406
Email: jrafferty@csu.edu.au