Candidates for Election

Associate Professor Sally Bristow

With over three decades of diverse experience spanning health and academia, I've held roles as a Registered Nurse and Midwife, encompassing leadership, management, senior clinical positions, teaching, and curriculum development. This rich background equips me with the expertise to adeptly represent the academic community's interests on the council.

My tenure at the University of New England (UNE) since 2013 has provided me with numerous opportunities to contribute to the academic landscape, particularly within the School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Nursing Discipline and more recently as the University representative on The Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia & New Zealand). I have been actively involved in the development and refinement of undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programs, ensuring alignment with professional standards university accreditation requirements, and industry strategic goals.

In my current role as Discipline Lead of Nursing within the School of Health, I am deeply committed to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in all aspects of academic governance. I believe that my experience and dedication make me well-suited to represent the academic community on the UNE Council.

I am an Associate Professor of Law. I hold degrees from Wisconsin (JD), Toronto (MA) and Auckland (PhD). I have experience that would be useful to the Council. I have worked for universities in Canada, United States, Taiwan, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Australia. I have served on promotions panels, school leadership positions and academic integrity panels. I was a managing partner for 13 years for a law firm. I have served as a director for a number of companies. I know success and I know failure. I know how to turn failure into an opportunity. UNE has suffered from less than adequate leadership over the years. It has not found the appropriate balance among professional staff, students and academics in light of its financial challenges. These shortcomings have been covered by the hard work and culture of the individuals working at UNE. UNE has significant strengths. It needs a clear-eyed evaluation of strengths and capabilities with a consistent investment strategy that is directed toward a sustainable future where simply muddling through is considered success. This requires a renewed commitment to academic excellence and professional competence in offering a range of science, education, health, law, business and humanities units.

My name is Coast. I am a Senior Lecturer in Crop Science and the Higher Degree Research Coordinator for the School of Environmental and Rural Science. I have extensive international experience in universities and research organisations spanning four continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Since joining UNE as an academic in 2021, I have been proud of and passionate about our University. #ProudlyUNE

I am nominating for UNE Council because I care deeply about UNE and its future. I want UNE to be best stationed to serve its community and continue to transform lives. Being from a marginalised community in the Niger Delta, I have experienced firsthand how inclusive and accessible regional universities like UNE enrich individuals and communities, making our world a better place. As such, I am keen to be involved in our University’s governance.

I would bring to this role skills gained in helping state-level government to establish educational initiatives for disadvantaged communities; and encourage more effective engagement between UNE Council, staff, students and the local community.

I am committed to UNE’s foundational objectives and values, and keen to use my global and regional experiences to help guide UNE towards a brighter future.

My role as Director of the Office for Professional Learning at The University of New England, offers opportunities to engage large-scale analyses of preservice teacher data linked to teacher education projects and decision-making with successful outcomes. My current role developed a targeted focus on improving well-structured placements as integral to quality initial teacher education. It evidences my capacity to engage in transformation, educational outcomes and spearhead positive change. These skills will allow me to contribute to the UNE Council through a lens of global education initiatives. I lead administration and research teams (established and early career researchers) to foster innovation, engagement and research within the education sector. My understanding of the education environment and industry partnership context in which UNE operates, support strategic, university-wide perspectives. My leadership experience and academic background, support the identification of opportunities for growth and commercial viability while aligning processes with UNE’s goals and objectives. Openness, commitment and resilience are fundamental attributes that have guided my approach to leadership and change management throughout my career. I have the capacity to empower teams to drive meaningful outcomes that positively impact the university community and beyond.

My name is Amir Karton, and I am excited to apply for this position. I am a passionate advocate for academic values and quality and am committed to fostering a vibrant teaching and research culture for staff and students. My extensive experience in university governance, including leadership roles like Associate Dean Research at SABL, has given me the opportunity to effectively represent faculty and staff interests. I prioritise staff well-being and advocate for investments in critical teaching and research infrastructure. As a Council member, I will champion initiatives to enhance research support, elevate teaching & learning, and foster workload sustainability. Through collaborative leadership and open communication, I am confident we can find common ground on complex issues affecting academic staff. I am eager to work alongside you to make UNE a better place to work and a place that works better. I appreciate your consideration.

UNE Council is a great forum to help steer UNE to highly valuable goals and their accomplishment. Based on the credentials I possess, I am confident that I will be able to contribute in many positive ways if elected to the council in the capacity of an academic representative. I have extensive experience in the tertiary education sector, both domestic and international, spanning over a period of more than a decade. In addition, I have extensive relevant industry experience in the commercial banking sector which compliments and broadens the scope of my knowledge of and experience in the tertiary sector. If selected for the role, I will aim to perform to the satisfaction of my colleagues at UNE.

I am a lecturer in the School of Law and have been employed at UNE since 2019. I was previously employed as a lecturer in law at Charles Sturt University (CSU) from 2013-2021. At CSU, I was an elected academic representative on the Academic Senate and also an elected representative on the Faculty Board.

Prior to starting a career as an academic, I was a self-employed practising barrister in Sydney for almost 30 years. I have experience as both an academic and a professional business person.

I am running for election as the academic representative for Council or the following reasons:

1. Given my previous experience as an elected representative at CSU, I bring both experience and knowledge of governance at a high management level in universities;

2. My background not only as an academic but also as a practising barrister (and previously solicitor) provides me with considerable practical experience which, in my view, is preferable for all members of Council;

3. I have practised and lectured in corporate law allowing me to provide a useful contribution to the activities of Council which, in substance, is the Board of Directors for UNE,

I look forward to receiving your vote!

I am a professor of pure mathematics and have been working for UNE for almost 20 years. I am strongly committed to UNE and its mission as a regional university.

My involvement in academic governance spans various roles at the Academic Board, including serving from 2008-2010 and again from 2022-2024. During 2022-2024, I held positions as Deputy Chair of the Academic Board and Chair of the Research Committee. My approach to governance was shaped by the academic principles advocated by Public Universities Australia and governance expertise obtained through training with the Governance Institute of Australia. Notably, I played a key role in the Academic Freedom working group, contributing to the development of current policies on Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom, as well as the Code of Conduct. Additionally, I initiated and led the Research Culture working group, which was dedicated to cultivating an enjoyable, productive and safe research environment.
Within Convocation, I have actively proposed and supported motions focused on enhancing governance by promoting transparency, accountability, and fostering trusting relationships.

Since my arrival in 2010, I have taken a keen interest in actively contributing to good governance at UNE, including my serving on School Education Committees in the School of Law, and more recently School of HASS, Chairing the School of HASS Education Committee and serving as the acting Associate Dean Teaching and Learning. I have been an elected member of Academic Board since 2016 and more recently its Standing Committee. In this role, I served on the Board’s Working Party on Academic Freedom, where I contributed to the drafting of the institution’s Freedom of Speech Rule and Academic Freedom Statement and the associated Policy. Always engaged, in both formal fora, and through written submissions, I have actively advocated for better governance outcomes in response to varied high-level proposals, such as the 2018 restructure, when I was among those who advocated for the retention of school-level academic governance committees (which was ultimately successful). A strong supporter of the institution, its staff and students, I hope to bring my experience and commitment to good governance and belief in the idea of the university as a collegial institution to bear in the role of academic representative on the University Council.

I have worked at UNE for many years. I have siblings and children who have attended UNE and I have experience studying here as well. I have worked within The School of Science & Technology, The Office of Advancement, Communication and Events, Residential Services and am currently in the School of Rural Medicine. I have experienced UNE at each level of our service delivery, working closely with academic staff whenever possible.
I have worked collaboratively across many areas of UNE and I understand how we operate.
I have been involved with many reviews at UNE over the years in an effort to give a voice to staff and students who are less comfortable speaking up. I am extremely passionate about UNE and the impact we have on so many lives. I would be honoured to use this passion and my experience to benefit staff, students and through them, the region as a whole.
People might have encountered me as Melody Rummery or Melody Parkes

Since 2016, I have proudly served the University of New England, primarily within the field of higher degree research. In this capacity, I have supported both HDR students and supervisors, guiding them through the intricacies of candidature management. My experience has equipped me with invaluable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within this critical sphere of academia.

My journey in tertiary education extends beyond UNE, having contributed significantly to institutions such as Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, and University of Newcastle. Throughout my career, I have honed my expertise in research and research training administration, encompassing pivotal areas such as student success and welfare, financial management, scholarship oversight, policy evolution, grant administration, and governmental compliance.

Driven by a profound interest in governance, I aspire to serve on the Council so I may have a voice for professional staff and advocate for the needs of higher degree researchers. My objective is to ensure that the university not only complies with legislative obligations but also upholds the highest standards of internal policy governance. By leveraging my extensive experience and unwavering dedication, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the Council's endeavors in steering UNE towards greater excellence and distinction.

Hello

I would like to express interest in joining the UNE council. I want to make a difference in the community I live and study in, where I can further improve the quality of teaching, learning, and sense of belonging found at UNE. I truly believe I can improve on the foundation the UNE council has made, I believe I will be a medium for communication between students and staff at UNE. I want to build a better world and I know that this is my opportunity to do so. I am incredibly passionate about helping those in need and assisting in every possible way I can. If I was elected onto the UNE Council, I would dedicate myself to the position and responsibilities involved. I know I owe it to all my friends and family to succeed in this task and I do not plan to fail at it. Thank you for your consideration

By running for this position, I hope to better serve the interests of UNE's graduate students and enhance the university's student experience. It is my goal to establish a system-wide level through interactions, actions, and conversations amongst staff, instructors, and students. In contrast to current methods, I wish to work towards the advancement of high-quality education and guarantee more student participation at UNE. Interdisciplinary teams must come up with solutions, and every student should be able to contact at least one friend at each school in times of need. Students and future leaders should take advantage of this shared time. Through various organisations of UNElife, I've gotten to know some amazing people since being on campus in 2022. After being elected to the Bangladeshi Student Association's secretary position, I worked to address issues that I knew weren’t confined to Bangladeshi students alone. I've witnessed the practical effects that arise when students band together. I believe that by cooperating, we can establish the kind of engaged learning environment that UNE deserves. I appreciate you taking the time to read my statement and casting your vote. I've never been a member of a community like UNE, which is why I adore it.

I am a Master of Arts student in Italian Studies with a background in quality elected public service and community building. I was elected to the Academic Board for two years during global pandemic. I spent a year on the Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Working Group. My representative successes are on record. They show the public-spirited commitment I would bring to UNE Council.

Prior to UNE I graduated with Philosophy Honours from the University of New South Wales. I was also a Social Worker with experience in homelessness, disability, substance addiction, and education. For a decade I was the head of a nation-leading multidisciplinary student union advocacy service at the University of Sydney. At UNE I coordinate an Italian Studies group. I co-founded a national interdisciplinary seminar group supported by the Australian National University.

I can imagine more mutually supportive, engaged, and inclusive student communities because of my sustained commitments. Such communities can radically improve our experiences and the benefits from our studies. If elected I will promote policy, representational, and funding changes aimed towards sustained community building improvements at UNE. With your help our online, campus, distance, rural and regional, and metropolitan communities can and will flourish.

Whilst my first priority is, and will likely remain, to my own studies, if elected, I will be fully devoted towards serving my fellow students of UNE. My priority will be their needs and concerns.

As an external student all the way from Far North Queensland, I have a fresh perspective to give and am well aware of the difficulties external students face.

I recognise that some may see my distance from the school as a cause for concern, they may say "I'm out of touch".

But if somebody out there gets that same satisfaction from spending hours on YouTube and Google Scholar just trying to understand something about this crazy world a little better, I want to help them.

I want to foster that curiosity.

I want to help their reach meet their grasp.

I don't want to be the Student Member... I want to be the Students' Member.

My name is Ruben Durrand, and I am running for The UNE Council.

Education:
I am doing Bachelor of Law (4 year) and this year is my second year.
I am studying at university of New England [UNE], in Armidale.

Skills that I have are:
- Strong Communication: skill able to clearly express ideas and listen to others.
- Organisational Skills: experienced in managing time and tasks effectively.
- Teamwork: Enjoy working with others to achieve common goals.
- Problem-Solving: Capable of analysing situations and finding effective solutions.

Personal Qualities that I have are:
- Committed to making a positive impact.
- Understand and care about other's needs and perspectives.
- Quick to learn and adjust to new situations.
- Driven to achieve goals and take initiative.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the UNE community as a Councillor and am confident that my skills and dedication will be valuable assets.

Sincerely,
Kamran Maliki

Senior Executive with extensive experience in corporate finance, corporate governance, corporate accounting, business valuation, strategic planning, mergers & acquisitions, internal audit, strategic audit, management accounting, forensic accounting, corporate risk management, and business intelligence tool development across multiple sectors. I am an expert in developing financial strategies aligned with the organisation's vision, challenging the status quo in operations systems, and building relationships that create buy-in. My approach focuses on building effective stakeholders' relationships, fostering a resilient organisational culture, and advocating for a corporate culture of growth and strategic readiness.

Passionate about the effective leadership and governance, ethical decision-making and compliance, and people and culture development, I am Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Chartered Financial Analyst of the CFA Institute in Canada, as well as Qualified Accountant with the Institute of Public Accountant (IPA) in Australia. I value community diversity in all its forms and advocate for a more inclusive society through the exploration of community potential for growth.

Currently a student at UNE, I am actively looking for this opportunity to give back and receive directorship and strategic human transformative skills with my UNE community, aiming to contribute to the strategic leadership of the university.

Open, passionate and inquisitive. Those are the 3 words my history of leadership has granted me. My work as the advocacy officer for the National Medical Students Association and the University of Canberra emphasized the importance of using my voice to represent the student population, especially our underrepresented ones. I see how different circumstances including but not limited to queer identities, low socioeconomic income and First in Family at University can change our experience drastically. A nomination for me would stand for diversity and insight backed by lived experiences. I understand first hand how hard the university experience can be. Many of us are no strangers to balancing multiple jobs alongside University and also dealing with extenuating circumstances at hand. I will endeavour to make your university experience accommodating and fun!

Hello fellow students,

I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the University Student Council. With a deep commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus community, I am eager to serve and represent your interests.

Throughout my academic journey, I've been deeply involved in various extracurricular activities, from organizing events to leading student initiatives. These experiences have equipped me with valuable leadership skills, a keen understanding of student needs, and a passion for advocating on behalf of my peers.

If elected, I pledge to be a proactive voice for all students, ensuring that every voice is heard and represented in the decision-making process. I will work tirelessly to address issues such as accessibility, diversity, mental health support, and campus sustainability.

Together, let's build a university experience that empowers and enriches the lives of every student. I humbly ask for your support and trust in this endeavor. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for our university community.

Thank you for considering me for this important role.

Sincerely,
Mayankkumar Prajapati

I am honoured to nominate myself for the position of Student Member on the University of New England Council. Having previously been an involved parent member on school councils, I've gained invaluable experience and a deep appreciation for educational governance.

During my tenure on school councils, I invested time in understanding policies, actively participated in discussions, and contributed to decision-making processes. I bring a high level of attention to detail, tenacity, and a positive attitude to all that I undertake.

As a current student, I aim to be a voice for my peers on the UNE Council. I am committed to thorough preparation and engagement, ensuring that I am fully aware of all relevant issues. My past experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to effectively represent student interests and escalate their concerns for consideration and resolution.

My goal as your Student Member is to foster a transparent and responsive environment where all concerns are addressed, and positive changes are enacted. I am eager to leverage my background and personal qualities to enhance our university experience.

Thank you for considering my candidacy to represent our student body on the UNE Council.

Sharon Shtrauser

Hi, my name is Kristy, and I am a 2nd year Bachelor of Laws student and current chair of the UNE Student Council (UNESC). I started with UNE as a mature aged student via the online alternative entry process and have not looked back.

In my time with the UNESC I have been able to work on great projects such as investigating the impacts of ProctorU, representation as a student representative on the SSAF Committee, being an informal/invited UNESC member to the Academic Board Teaching & Learning Committee Unit, creating the UNESC scholarship which was introduced last year and engaging with UNE Ally Network. Since stepping into the chair role, I have continued to strengthen my relationships with the UNE students and staff which has afforded me the opportunity to best provide a strong student voice to university decision-making.

For those who have worked with me I am sure you will agree that I always conduct myself in a professional manner, am supportive of my fellow team and students and am willing to challenge the norm when required.

The UNE Council student member role will permit me to continue advocating for change and representing your voice on multiple platforms.

I'm a first-year student with concurrent candidature in Bachelor of Criminology/Laws, and Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science. I served as the Youth Minister for Health, Mental Health and Medical Innovation under the Youth Parliament Program in 2022/23. I was recognised by then Premier, the Hon Dominic Perrottet for my service in the Sydney electorate, especially with homelessness support, with the NSW Government Community Service Award.

I was a keynote speaker at the 2022 Australian Medical Association National Conference for the session - COVID-19: What worked, what didn’t and what’s needed now.

I have active leadership experience as I have served as a Panelist Judge for Youth Action's Youth Work Conference for 2 years, and was a semi-finalist in the 2023 7News Young Achievers awards.

I have 2 published Journal Articles as co-authors; in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, and PLOS One and currently working with the University of Sydney in research on Youth Participation concerning Mental Health and well-being.

I am also an elite athlete - I have represented Australia at the 2022 FINA Junior World Open Water Championship in Seychelles. I'm also extremely proud to be able to represent UNE at UniSport Nationals for Swimming this May.