Urban Research Centre PhD Student Profiles

Tara Andrews

Background

Tara is an industrial designer, particularly interested in design philosophy and theory, with practical applications for environmentally and socially sustainable design. Her approach to sustainability was informed by work with the EcoDesign Foundation and Society for Responsible Design.

Tara has taught in a wide range of theoretical and practical design subjects since commencing with UWS as a lecturer in 2004. She is also actively engaged in UWS teaching and learning quality initiatives and is currently working part-time as a Learning and Teaching Fellow in the UWS School of Engineering.

Qualifications

M.Design (Research), University of Technology Sydney
B.Design (Industrial), University of Technology Sydney
B.Arts, University of Sydney

Research

Tara's PhD will document how sustainable design intervention points can be found and acted upon within a university context. The idea is to see how the university (its knowledge, campus and community) can become a platform for innovative sustainable design projects that lead to long term sustainable behaviour change.

Grant

2007-2008 Joint Chief Investigator on UWS Partnership Program with Penrith City Council: "Out and about in Penrith - a study in cultural and physical carriers to public use of outdoor and recreational spaces in Penrith City".

Publications

Andrews, T. 2010 'Mobilising the university as a frontier for design-led social innovation'. Paper presented at the LeNS Conference Sustainability in Design Now! 29th September - 1st October 2010, Bangalore.

Huda, S., Allen, J., Sinclair, C., Andrews, T., Lopes, A., Duarte, F., et al. 2010 'Climate change: Building leadership capacity within a higher education institution'. Paper presented at the 9th European IFSA Symposium, 4-7 July 2010, Vienna.

Andrews T, Mellick Lopes A & Allen J. 2010 'Design and the University: a Partnership for Sustainable Design'. Connected 2010 – 2nd International Conference On Design Education, 28 June - 1 July, University Of New South Wales, Sydney.

Andrews T. 2009 'Design and consume to Utopia', Design Philosophy Papers, Issue 2, viewed 28 October 2009,

Allen J, Mellick Lopes A and Andrews T. 2009 ‘Futures West: A Design Research Initiative Promoting Sustainable Futures for Western Sydney’ Cumulus 38ºSouth: hemispheric shifts across learning, teaching and research Melbourne 12-14 November.

Lopes A, Clune S, Andrews T. 2007 'Future Scenario Planning as a tool for sustainable design education and innovation'. Connected International Conference on Design Education Sydney 9-12 July.

Andrews T and Patil R. 2007 'Information Literacy for first-year students: an embedded curriculum approach'. European Journal of Engineering Education 32:3 p. 253-259.

For further information, contact Tara.

Merete Bjorkli

Research

Merete's study analyses the effects neoliberalism has had on employment prospects for refugees and migrants in Australia. The rise of neoliberal policies in the last three decades has seen a ‘restructuring’ of the labour market and the cutting back and outsourcing of government services which has made refugees and migrants from developing countries extremely vulnerable within the Australian employment market. Her study argues neoliberal policies have not only led to indirect forms of discrimination in the labour market but has also altered refugees' and migrants' perceptions of themselves.

The data for Merete's study consist of interviews with skilled African refugees and migrants who have settled in the Greater Western Sydney area. It also includes interviews with government officials and service providers working with refugees and migrants on employment. 
 
Merete is in the final stage of writing up her PhD thesis.

For further information, contact Merete.

Jane Bringolf

Background

Jane has a background in community services spanning more than thirty years. Her experience ranges from direct service provision to senior management roles. A recipient of a Churchill Fellowship in 2004, she travelled overseas to investigate organisations pursuing universal design, accessible environments and assistive technology.

Jane's nine years as Executive Director with the Independent Living Centre NSW adds to her experience of working in the aged and disability sectors. Her interest in the fields of assistive technology and universal design derives mostly from her experiences working in the community sector, which included representation on various committees related to home modifications, ageing in place, universal housing design and disability advocacy.

Jane holds an undergraduate degree in Social Science and a Masters of Business Administration. She is currently undertaking doctoral studies at the Urban Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney.

Research

Jane’s research is based around the topic of universal design, which is a process of creating products and environments that suit people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. For example, taps that everyone can operate even if they have arthritis, and homes designed in such a way that people can age with their declining abilities and not have to move prematurely to a care setting. "Universal" in this context, therefore means usable, as far as possible, by everyone.

Jane is investigating the drivers and barriers to universal design, particularly in housing, and examining the economic costs to the community of not having universally designed products and environments. This will build on the work currently underway in Europe on the economic costs of not fully utilising assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

Publications

Bringolf, J. and Schraner, I. 2009. "Turning Back Time for Inclusion Today as Well as Tomorrow." In Inclusion Between Past and Future: AT from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments, edited by P.L. Emiliani, Salminen, A-L., Burzagli, L., Gabbanini.F. Amsterdam, NL: IOS Press.

Bringolf, J., 2008. "Universal Design: Why isn’t it happening?" ICADI (International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence), Florida, USA.

Bringolf, J., Universal Design: Is it Accessible?" in Multi Vol 1 (2) ( Spring-Summer 2008): 45-52.

Bringolf, J., 2007. "My Home, My Life: Easy living for everyone", FICCDAT (Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology), Toronto, Canada.

Bringolf, J., 2007. "Environment of Change: A policy of partnerships". FICCDAT (Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology), Toronto, Canada.

Bringolf, J. "Accessible, Adaptable or Adjustable?" Independent Living 20, no. 2 (2004):14.

Edited books

Independent Living Centre NSW, 2007: Helpful Handbook for Memory Loss. J. Bringolf, ed., Independent Living Centre NSW, Sydney.

Independent Living Centre NSW, 2006: Guide to Planning Bathrooms and Kitchens. J. Bringolf, ed., Independent Living Centre NSW, Sydney.

For further information, contact Jane.

Sharon Fingland

Background

Sharon is an architect and urban planner with over thirty years of experience participating in major projects in the fields of city planning, housing policy & design, urban research, social policy and the upgrading of older areas.

Over the past six years in her role as Assistant Director (Planning and Research) in the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC Ltd), she has been responsible for the integration of strategic outcomes for issues affecting the Western Sydney region, which covers eleven local government areas.

With considerable experience in the policy development of many areas of urban policy and management, Sharon joined the Urban Research Centre in March 2010 to undertake her PhD.

Research

Sharon's research on the urban renewal of the older suburbs in West Central Sydney seeks to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between housing, employment and transport to provide a clearer and more accurate basis for decision-making in the urban context.

She is seeking to reveal the unique territorial relationships between housing, employment and transport capacities and behaviours with a view to enhanced social, economic and sustainability outcomes in Sydney's West Central planning sub-region.

For further information, contact Sharon.

Michael Grosvenor

Background

Michael is an experienced urban and transport planning professional who specialises in the development of sustainable planning policies and strategies. He is also a freelance writer on sustainable living and travel.

Through his work and writing, Michael promotes the community benefits of making sustainable lifestyle choices and is a strong advocate of the important role that public transport, walking and cycling plays in our cities and towns.

Michael has a Master of Science (Urban Affairs) degree from the City University of New York and a Master of Policy and Applied Social Research degree from Macquarie University.

Research

Understanding the relationship between urban form and sustainable behaviour.

For further information, contact Michael.

Tayanah O'Donnell

Background

Prior to joining the Urban Research Centre, Tayanah worked as a solicitor in the areas of litigation and environment & planning for both private practice and local council. From 2009-2010, she worked as a legal researcher for Justice Sheahan AO of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales.

She completed a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons), a Bachelor of Laws, and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with UWS in 2006.

Research

Tayanah's PhD research examines policy responses and adaptation in the context of sea level rise and other global climate change induced coastal activities and occurrences. The core of the thesis is focussed on policy and adaptation responses for a small number of NSW coastal councils.

For further information, contact Tayanah.

 PhD Graduates

Dr Tamara Weyman

Spatial Information Sharing for Better Regional Decision-Making

The aim of this research was to determine whether a technological spatial innovation, such as online spatial portal, would provide an effective mechanism to support better policy dialogue between the technical capacity and decision-making spheres within and between local government, enabling improved policy development and application.

Dr Samantha Sharpe

Regional Dimensions of Innovative Activity in Outer Western Sydney

The aim of this research was to understand the socio-economic development of a metropolitan region in Sydney through an analysis of regional innovative activity. Click here to read the abstract.