Building trauma-informed foundations in Australian Higher Education

With more than one in four Australians living with complex trauma, the effects on higher education participation can be profound, particularly for students from equity backgrounds. To better understand how universities currently respond, Charles Sturt’s Higher Education Equity Research Unit (HEERU) initiated Australia’s first national study into trauma awareness among staff who teach, supervise or support students.

Led by Dr Maree Martinussen and Distinguished Professor Sarah O’Shea, the team designed and released a sector-wide survey open to all staff, regardless of their prior knowledge of trauma-informed practice.

The survey’s findings will provide a national evidence base about current staff knowledge and capacity. By leading this research, Charles Sturt is helping the sector build equitable, supportive learning environments, contributing to inclusive, high-quality education for all.