College of Arts, Society & Education

Karen Cavu

Doctor of Philosophy (Education)
karen.cavu@jcu.edu.au

Pascal Agbadi

Lecturer, Social Work
pascal.agbadi@jcu.edu.au

Leonard Freeman

Senior Lecturer, English Education (Primary Education)
leonard.freeman@jcu.edu.au

Subhashni Taylor

Adjunct Senior Lecturer
subhashni.taylor@jcu.edu.au

Peta Salter

Associate Professor, Curriculum and Pedagogy
peta.salter@jcu.edu.au

Ines Zuchowski

Associate Dean, Research
ines.zuchowski@jcu.edu.au

Jemma Hamley

Lecturer, Social Work
jemma.hamley@jcu.edu.au

Rosita Henry

Adjunct Professor
rosita.henry@jcu.edu.au

Michael Ackland

Adjunct Professor
michael.ackland@jcu.edu.au

A Model of Care Framework for Indigenous Men in Townsville (TIMA project )

Wili Suluma - Education

01 Jul 2025 - 31 Jan 2026

Indigenous men face significant health disparities compared to non-Indigenous Australians, with a life expectancy gap of 8.6 years and higher rates of chronic disease, mental health issues, and social challenges (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023). These disparities are compounded by historical trauma, ongoing impacts of colonisation, and barriers to accessing culturally safe services and supports (Dudgeon et al., 2014; Markwick et al., 2019). Existing research demonstrates that models of care developed with Indigenous leadership and cultural groundedness show significantly better engagement and outcomes (Harfield et al., 2018; Gibson et al., 2020). The project will engage with the Townsville Indigenous men community which includes Indigenous elders, individuals, men’s groups and associations, Indigenous organisations and services who support Indigenous men in accordance.

Peer Mentoring and Community Building Among Australian and Korean Working Holiday Makers

Sujin Kim - Career Development

30 Sep 2025 - 31 Aug 2026

This project seeks to enhance Australia–Korea people-to-people engagement through a bilingual peer mentoring program and a digital platform tailored for current working holidaymakers. It will connect Korean participants in Australia with Australian participants in Korea through structured mentoring sessions, intercultural exchange activities, and the formation of a sustainable support network. In addition, an alumni storytelling initiative — featuring former participants of the Australia-Korea Working Holiday Program (referred to as 'working holiday alumni') — will showcase the diverse experiences and contributions of past participants. While the project supports all participants, it pays particular attention to the gendered experiences of female working holidaymakers, recognising their unique challenges and contributions. Through these efforts, the project promotes cross-cultural understanding, career resilience, and long-term bilateral ties—bridging geographic distance and fostering digital and human connections between Australia and Korea.