Dr Michelle Mansfield

I am an associate lecturer in Social Enquiry (Sociology) in the Open Foundation Program, Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (PALS). At present, I am the Program Convenor of the Open Foundation Program (Callaghan).

Research Expertise:

My PhD research focused on young Indonesian street artists in Yogyakarta and the way they use their creative practice in political activism. I am a Sociologist with a particular interest in youth, the arts, aesthetic activism and cultural practices in Australia and Asia. My other research focuses on enabling education, inclusive language, pathways for non-traditional students and blended learning pedagogies.

Prior to my appointment in PALS (formerly ELFSC) in 2012, I worked as a researcher and research manager in The Cultural Industries and Practices Research Centre, The Arts Health Research Centre and The Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies in a broad range of research areas. During that time, I worked on a variety of ARC, DIAC and AUSAID funded research projects.

I have presented nationally and internationally at sociology and enabling education conferences.

Presently I am involved in a research project investigating Blended Learning for Enabling Sociology.

Teaching:

I am a passionate enabling educator. In my time at UON I have taught and coordinated courses in Sociology, Media Studies and Leisure and Tourism. My teaching has involved a variety of delivery modes including intensive, compressed, blended and entirely online courses across enabling, undergraduate and master’s programs.

Governance:

My governance roles have included Deputy Program Convenor and Program Convenor of the Open Foundation Program (Callaghan), a position which I currently hold. I have served on the University Student Experience Committee and Learning Impacts Working Party. I am a member of the PALS Board and the PALS Teaching and Learning Committee.