Ms Louise Rak
Lecturer
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
- Email:louise.rak@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:0240339231
Working to help care leavers access higher education
Developing and implementing a revolutionary program, Louise Rak is breaking down barriers to higher education for students from an out of home care (OOHC) background.
Over a decade of professional experience in community service roles across the Hunter has well-equipped Louise to implement a new program that is the first of its kind in Australia and internationally.
Live, Learn, Grow launched as a pilot program in 2016 and is providing students from a care experience with a range of tailored support services.
The program was developed in consultation with representatives across the sector and identifies some of the known issues that prevent care-leavers from accessing higher education.
“We’ve learnt that support systems, relocating and finances are some of the factors that have a huge impact on the decision to go on to higher education,” Louise said.
“Through the program, we provide subsidised on-campus accommodation and supported employment for the students who want it. We also created an on-campus role to help students navigate university systems and processes throughout the year.”
“All of our 2016 participants indicated that they wouldn't of made it past the first four weeks of University had it not of been for the support of the program, in particular, the individual support offered by our designated mentor role. We’ve been able to secure employment for those who were interested and heard anecdotal feedback that some students wouldn’t have considered going to university if it wasn’t for the program,” she added.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
Louise’s focus is also broader than just a student level. She is working to create systemic changes across institutions, organisations and policies.
“The program has involved an active consultation group made up of government and non-government groups. We’ve also held on-campus days for people in care and caseworkers and we continue to talk with agencies to develop better ways of passing information along to better support the kids they are working with,” Louise said.
“By engaging these different cohorts in the program, carers, case workers and agencies are starting to think about how they are incorporating and communicating the importance of education into their work.”
“The program has been able to provide information to both students, carers and case/care workers about going to university and how to support education pathways, which is hopefully the start of a systemic change in how information is shared and accessed,” she added.
In 2017 the program is looking to work with young people in care, their carers and OOHC agencies to develop new areas of research that will better inform practice. This research and the educational outcomes will be guided and co-designed by those living and working directly in OOHC to reflect the realities and complexities of the system.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
There are no real limits on the possibilities for Live, Learn, Grow as a model to be taken up by other universities or adapted for other underrepresented groups in higher education.
“Ultimately we would like to see the program grow and become a fixture at the University of Newcastle (UON) and all other Australian universities,” Louise said.
“We’ve seen the potential the program is having and the difference it is making to the participant’s outlook of their future,” she added.
As Widening Participation Programs Manager, Louise is looking to affect positive change in other equity groups as well.
“My role is quite diverse and varied. As well as overseeing Live, Learn, Grow, I also manage the other widening participation programs provided by the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education (CEEHE),” she said.
The programs cater for students at all stages of school, and are also moving towards supporting university students from diverse backgrounds, such as a refugee experience.
“Through these programs we are able to reach thousands of people every year and inform students and community members about their options for life long learning,” Louise said.
“There is still a lot we could be doing at an institutional level to change certain processes and services to ensure all students can access and successfully participate in higher education. We’re really striving to ensure the right foundations are set so students are properly supported into and throughout higher education according to their individual circumstances,” she added.
Live, Learn, Grow was initially funded by a Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Programme (HEPPP) 2016 National Priorities Pool Grant and is now fully supported by CEEHE and UON.
Working to help care leavers access higher education
Louise Rak is the Widening Participation Programs Manager and Project Lead for the Live Learn Grow Program at the University of Newcastle, Australia
Career Summary
Biography
Louise Rak is Widening Participation Programs Manager for the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education. In addition to managing stakeholder relationships and the strategic development of programs, Louise is also Program Developer for the Live, Learn, Grow project that supports students from an out of home care experience to access higher education.
Prior to her current roles, Louise was Operations Manager – Community Services at CatholicCare Social Services Hunter Manning where she was responsible for the operational and financial management of four program areas that involved working with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people within society.
Her time as Early Intervention and Intensive Support Manager at CatholicCare Social Services Hunter Manning also saw Louise develop and implement another program first that assisted young people exiting court ordered care to find housing and develop living skills that supported a smoother transition into adulthood.
Louise’s extensive experience in community services has driven her commitment to equity and social justice within the higher education sector. She believes that access to and participation in higher education is one of the most powerful ways to ensure a nation’s social equity, cultural cohesion and respect for difference.
Qualifications
- Master of Counselling, University of New England
- Bachelor of Social Science, University of Newcastle
- Graduate Diploma in Social Science (Psychology), University of New England
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, University of New England
- Grad Diploma in Counselling for Health&Social Care, University of New England
- Graduate Certificate in Business, University of Southern Queensland
Keywords
- community development
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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| 2023 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, Krogh C, McCarthy S, Stuart G, 'Working with Youth Violence: The Name.Narrate.Navigate Program', 1-325 (2023) [A1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
Chapter (10 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, Stuart G, 'Choice, change, and identity', 272-298 (2023)
This chapter considers the role of choice, change, and identity in youth violence. It presents a selective overview of theories and practice perspectives that emphasise... [more] This chapter considers the role of choice, change, and identity in youth violence. It presents a selective overview of theories and practice perspectives that emphasise choice in positioning young people in readiness for change towards positive identities and outcomes of desistance. It describes the ways in which the Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) program has embraced the idea of identity migration and the use of mindfulness strategies to support self-awareness and self-regulation in readiness for moving towards new ideas of what's possible to know and do.
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| 2023 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, Krogh C, 'Trauma, culture, and youth violence', 110-138 (2023)
This chapter explores the importance of a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach to working with youth violence. It provides an overview of evidence regarding tra... [more] This chapter explores the importance of a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach to working with youth violence. It provides an overview of evidence regarding trauma among justice-involved youth, acknowledging the over-representation of Aboriginal young people in justice cohorts. Narratives of Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) participants are shared alongside this evidence. The chapter demonstrates how a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach is foregrounded in NNN by using visual methods and narrative storytelling to forge connections with the young people we work with.
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| 2023 |
Rak L, Blakemore T, Stuart G, Krogh C, McCarthy S, 'The Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) program', 83-109 (2023)
This chapter describes the Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) program for youth violence. It sketches NNN's development, core components, and theory and outlines its embe... [more] This chapter describes the Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) program for youth violence. It sketches NNN's development, core components, and theory and outlines its embedded action research strategy, describing how a community-based participatory (action) research framework has been important in designing NNN and its ongoing continuous improvement. The methods of data capture and analysis used to elucidate the reflections presented in this book are identified and discussed. Finally, the chapter provides an overview of evaluation of NNN and the ethical issues considered and attended to in its design and delivery.
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Conference (2 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, 'Postcards to Safety' (2024)
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| 2019 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, 'Name, Narrate, Navigate: A pilot program for young people who perpetrate family and domestic violence.' (2019)
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Creative Work (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |
Egglestone P, Drummond J, Hight C, Blakemore T, Cassin A, Cuneo M, Axelsen H, Rak L, 'The 'Henges'' (2022)
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Journal article (7 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Rak L, Blakemore T, Randall E, Harris MK, 'Don't Worry About Her; Intersectionality, and the Role of Systems and Structures in the Embodied Experiences of Young Women's Use of Violence', Australian Journal of Social Issues (2025) [C1]
Systems and structures designed to protect and support young people, specifically (in this paper) young women, are ironically the same systems that maintain gender disp... [more] Systems and structures designed to protect and support young people, specifically (in this paper) young women, are ironically the same systems that maintain gender disparity. Consequently, this has influenced the embodied identities of young women who experience and use violence. Such systemic and structural intersectionality has impacted upon and is enacted through generations of women, especially those who are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by micro and macro layers of discrimination due to age, race, religion, dis/ability and socioeconomic status. This paper draws on the narratives and experiences of 24 young women aged 13¿18 who have experienced and used nonfatal violence. Their narratives chart the role of systemic oppression, community expectations, hierarchical group dynamics and identity formation in their experiences of violence. Findings centre on the experiences of young women, their words providing insight into motivators and drivers of female violence, which to date has been under-researched and often poorly understood.
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| 2025 |
Rak L, Randall E, Katrak-Harris M, Blakemore T, 'Who I Am, and Why That Matters', Youth, 5, 83-83 [C1]
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| 2023 |
Rak L, Warton T, 'His, hers and theirs: comparative narratives from young people who use violence', SAFER COMMUNITIES, 22, 42-55 (2023) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Blakemore T, Randall E, Rak L, Cocuzzoli F, 'Deep Listening and Relationality: Cross-cultural Reflections on Practice With Young Women Who Use Violence', AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL WORK, 75, 304-316 (2021) [C1]
Young women who use violence in their interpersonal, family, and domestic relationships commonly exist as a cross-over cohort, simultaneously victims and perpetrators, ... [more] Young women who use violence in their interpersonal, family, and domestic relationships commonly exist as a cross-over cohort, simultaneously victims and perpetrators, characteristically disadvantaged and disengaged and lacking accessible trauma-informed and culturally responsive interventions. This paper presents cross-cultural reflections on work with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal young women who use violence. It explores the tensions in this work of honouring histories and context and acknowledging female agency, choice and control. Informed by Yarning processes, the paper intentionally foregrounds Aboriginal knowledge and experience. In doing so, it highlights the power and potential of Deep Listening and relational practice for recognising the impact(s) of trauma resulting from intergenerational intersections of gendered oppression, structural racism, and social inequalities as drivers of female violence. IMPLICATIONS Aboriginal ways of knowing and doing have important contributions to make to practice with young female perpetrators of violence Deep Listening and relational approaches can support safety and connection necessary for healing, change, and growth.
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2018 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, Agllias K, Mallett X, McCarthy S, 'Crime and context: Understandings of youth perpetrated interpersonal violence among service providers in regional Australia', Journal of Applied Youth Studies, 2, 53-69 (2018) [C1]
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Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| Show 4 more journal articles | |||||||||||
Media (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, Randall E, Ebbin D, 'The Changing Lives Podcast' (2023)
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Other (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
Blakemore T, McCarthy S, Rak L, 'Submission to the Australian Government Senate Inquiry on Australia's Youth Justice and Incarceration System' (2024)
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Presentation (16 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, McCarthy S, Krogh C, Ebbin D, 'Evidence provided to the NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety : Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities' (2025)
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| 2024 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, 'The Name.Narrate.Navigate Program' (2024)
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| 2024 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, 'The Name.Narrate.Navigate Program for Youth Violence : Lessons Learned' (2024)
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Report (5 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
Rayment-McHugh S, Randall E, Menzies K, Rak L, McCarthy S, Blakemore T, 'Now.See.Hear! Visual Conversation Tool Practice Guide', 1-30 (2024)
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| 2023 |
Blakemore T, Rak L, 'Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) Program for Youth Violence Implementation at Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre Overview & Observations', 1-7 (2023)
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| 2021 |
Blakemore T, McCarthy S, Rak L, McGregor J, Stuart G, Krogh C, 'Postcards from practice: Initial learnings from Name.Narrate.Navigate.', 1-42 (2021)
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Open Research Newcastle | |||
| Show 2 more reports | |||||
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 9 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $5,582,004 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20241 grants / $2,244,862
Supporting Adolescent Boys Trial: Newcastle - Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN).360$2,244,862
Funding body: Department of Social Services
| Funding body | Department of Social Services |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Tamara Blakemore, Ms Louise Rak, Doctor Shaun McCarthy, Doctor Chris Krogh, Mr Daniel Ebbin, Doctor Sally Hunt, Doctor Jean Carruthers, Doctor Meaghan Katrak Harris |
| Scheme | Families and Communities Supporting Adolescent Boys Trial |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2026 |
| GNo | G2400975 |
| Type Of Funding | C2100 - Aust Commonwealth – Own Purpose |
| Category | 2100 |
| UON | Y |
20232 grants / $1,045,455
Smart City Innovation Challenge 2 – Safer Public Spaces for Women and Girls – Proof of Concept (Phase 3)$1,000,000
Funding body: Transport for NSW
| Funding body | Transport for NSW |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Tamara Blakemore, Ms Louise Rak, Associate Professor Jon Drummond, Professor Paul Egglestone |
| Scheme | Smart Places Acceleration Program – Safer Public Spaces for Women and Girls |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2023 |
| Funding Finish | 2025 |
| GNo | G2300914 |
| Type Of Funding | C1600 - Aust Competitive - StateTerritory Govt |
| Category | 1600 |
| UON | Y |
Open Adytum$45,455
Funding body: NSW Department of Planning and Environment
| Funding body | NSW Department of Planning and Environment |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Professor Paul Egglestone, Doctor Tamara Blakemore, Ms Louise Rak |
| Scheme | Smart Places Acceleration Program – Safer Public Spaces for Women and Girls |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2023 |
| Funding Finish | 2023 |
| GNo | G2201085 |
| Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
| Category | 2300 |
| UON | Y |
20222 grants / $724,334
The Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) Program$599,334
Funding body: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
| Funding body | Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Tamara Blakemore, Doctor Chris Krogh, Doctor Shaun McCarthy, Ms Louise Rak, Doctor Graeme Stuart |
| Scheme | Safer Communities Fund |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2022 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | G2101000 |
| Type Of Funding | C1500 - Aust Competitive - Commonwealth Other |
| Category | 1500 |
| UON | Y |
“Now.See.Hear” A trauma-informed and culturally-safe screening tool for justice-involved youth$125,000
Funding body: NSW Department of Communities and Justice
| Funding body | NSW Department of Communities and Justice |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Tamara Blakemore, Doctor Shaun McCarthy, Doctor Karen Menzies, Ms Louise Rak, Ms Elsie Randall, Dr Susan Rayment-McHugh |
| Scheme | Access to Justice Innovation Fund |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2022 |
| Funding Finish | 2022 |
| GNo | G2200070 |
| Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
| Category | 2300 |
| UON | Y |
20212 grants / $558,955
Name. Narrate. Navigate: Practice Pathways Program$545,455
Funding body: Westpac Banking Corporation
| Funding body | Westpac Banking Corporation |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Tamara Blakemore, Doctor Chris Krogh, Doctor Shaun McCarthy, Ms Louise Rak, Doctor Graeme Stuart |
| Scheme | Impact Grants |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2021 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | G2100846 |
| Type Of Funding | C1700 - Aust Competitive - Other |
| Category | 1700 |
| UON | Y |
Public Cultures of Female Violence$13,500
Funding body: Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle
| Funding body | Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Dr Tamara Blakemore (Lead); Dr Chris Krogh; Dr Xanthe Mallett; Dr Louise Rak and Mr Shaun Mallett (FBL) |
| Scheme | Strategic Network and Pilot Project Grants Scheme |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2021 |
| Funding Finish | 2021 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
20181 grants / $872,361
Perpetrator Package - Young Perpetrators activity$872,361
Funding body: Department of Social Services
| Funding body | Department of Social Services |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Tamara Blakemore, Doctor Kylie Agllias, Doctor Graeme Stuart, Doctor Shaun McCarthy, Doctor Chris Krogh, Ms Louise Rak, Professor Penny Jane Burke, Steve Larkin, Doctor Joel McGregor |
| Scheme | Community Grants Hub |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2018 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | G1800632 |
| Type Of Funding | C2200 - Aust Commonwealth – Other |
| Category | 2200 |
| UON | Y |
20161 grants / $136,037
Live Learn Grow$136,037
Funding body: Department of Education
| Funding body | Department of Education |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Louise Rak, Ms Belinda Munn, Doctor Tamara Blakemore |
| Scheme | Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Programme |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2016 |
| Funding Finish | 2016 |
| GNo | G1600142 |
| Type Of Funding | C2110 - Aust Commonwealth - Own Purpose |
| Category | 2110 |
| UON | Y |
News
News • 3 Sep 2024
New sports collaboration to tackle gendered violence on the Central Coast
The University of Newcastle has teamed up with the NSW Department of Education, Enrichd Group and the Central Coast Mariners football club to deliver an innovative community program that aims to address gendered violence and promote respectful relationships among secondary school students in the Central Coast region.
News • 24 Mar 2022
Program receives funding to continue work to address youth violence
The University of Newcastle’s Name.Narrate.Navigate (NNN) program has been awarded a grant of $599,335 from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources; Safer Communities Fund. Announced by the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, this grant brings total funding for the program to over $2 million.
Ms Louise Rak
Position
Lecturer
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
College of Human and Social Futures
Contact Details
| louise.rak@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | 0240339231 |
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
