A/Prof. Debbie Ollis

Debbie Ollis is an Associate Professor in Education at Deakin University where she teaches and researches in the fields of gender, respectful relationships and  sexuality education. Debbie has worked in the health and sexuality education field for over 30 years as a secondary school teacher, policy officer, curriculum consultant, curriculum writer, teacher educator and researcher. She has co-authored two national frameworks in the area and written curriculum resources for state and federal governments. Most recently she has written a respectful relationships curriculum for Victorian secondary schools and coauthored a sexuality education monograph for Universities. Her research is focused on capacity building in health and sexuality education, teacher education, gender and violence education and young people’s experience of school based sexuality education. Debbie is currently involved in number of projects in these areas, including an ARC linkage project researching young people’s experience and voice in sexuality education

Much of my research interest fall under the broad area of young people, gender, health, sexuality education and student particpation and well being. I am interested in capacity building, pedagogy, teacher practice and professional learning, particularly as it relates to sensitive issues in health and sexuality education.

My research has focused on

• Young womens understanding of violence against women 
• Capacity building in sexuality education with a particular focus on teacher practice and professional learning in the area of gender and sexual diversity
• Holistic health and physical education intervention on adolescent girls connectedness and wellbeing
• Professional learning on pre-service teachers ability and preparedness to teach sexuality education 
• Engaging young people in sexuality education 
• Respectful relationship education and whole school change; 

I am a qualitative feminist researcher interested in mix methods and the link between research and practice.

 

American Association of School Health
Association of Women Educators
Australian Association of Research in Education
Health and Physical Education Tertiary Teachers Alliance: Victoria
International Union for Health Promotion and Education

Sexuality education, gender, health and student wellbeing. Feminist qualatative methods.

Deakin University 2006-2017

Units taught and Chaired

• Promoting Student Wellbeing: Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Education (2005-2012)
• Issues in Health Education Bachelor of Teaching /Bachelor of Education/Graduate Diploma of Education (2006-2012
• Senior Health and Human Development: Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Education/Graduate Diploma of Education (2006-2015) Primary Health and Student Wellbeing: Bachelor of Education primary (2009)
• Teaching Sexuality in the Middle Years: Bachelor of Education primary (2009/2017) Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (2011-2017)
• Promoting Student Wellbeing: Masters of Teaching (2010-2012)
• Independent Project: Bachelor of Early Childhood (2010)
• Masters research paper supervision (2009)
• PhD supervision (2010-2017)

Sexuality  education; Health Education; Gender and sexuality;  Young people and sexual health; Respectful Relationships Education (Gender and violence education); Teacher professional learning in health and sexuality education; Holistic approaches to health and physical education; Research into practice in sexuality and health education.

Recent Invited keynotes/seminars

• Ollis D.  (2017) Domestic violence—The hidden borders: HEIA National Conference, Rydes Hotel, Melbourne, January 11, 2017.
• Ollis D.  (2016) Sex Talks@ Fitzroy HS Monday November 14, 2016.
• Ollis, D. (2016) Sexuality Education: Research into Practice: Northern Territory Festival of Teaching Darwin August 26th.
• Ollis, D. (2016) Young people, schools and teacher education: A snapshot of researching sex education in Australia. Power, Norms and Identities in Sex Education - International Comparisons: Norrkoping University, June 13-14
• Ollis, D. (2015) Who said Health and Physical Education Teachers couldn’t teach sexuality education? The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) Conference: Monash University 27 November
• Ollis, D. (2015) Building capacity in sexuality and relationships education: What does it take to implement
• a whole school approach? Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships: Supporting Schools to Deliver effective sexuality and relationships Education (SRE): Curtin University, Perth Oct 26
• Ollis D. (2015) Health and Physical Education Teachers: can they really be the key to change in sexuality education in secondary schools? Presentation to Western Australian Health Department: Pre-service Teachers symposium, Perth October 27.
• Ollis D. (2015). Whole School Approaches: Building Respectful Relationships. Sustainable Sexuality and Relationships in Schools and Community settings. Sexuality and Relationships Education Forum, Benalla April 22. 
• Ollis, D. (2014) Feminist practice in sexuality education: The importance of the ‘gender lens’ in the history of transformative practice.  Association of Women Educators Biennial National Conference Reclaiming Feminism: EnGendering Change, October 3-4, Brisbane
• Ollis, D. (2014) Respectful relationships and sex education: the importance of parents’ and teachers as part of a whole school approach, Australasian Sexual Health Conference, October 8, Sydney
• Ollis, D. (2014) Adolescence, sexuality and pornography, Lauriston Parent’s Speaker Series, August 12, Malvern, Melbourne 
• Ollis, D. (2014) Are We Moving in The Right Direction? An Overview of School Based Education Work in Australia, Challenging Sexual Violence Among Young People Seminar, Brunel University, June 10th
• Ollis, D. (2014) Mixing and matching feminisms: Does it really matter in the quest to prevent violence against women? Feminist Summer Series Institute of Education: London University May 7th
• Ollis, D. (2012) Gender and Violence Prevention, AEU Federal Women’s Conference, October 7th, Melbourne
• Ollis, D. (2011) Capacity Building in Sexuality Education, what does it look like?  Regional CO Early Planning Conference, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Victoria, Melbourne, August 2011
• Ollis, D. (2011) Respectful Relationships: 'Same, Same but different' White Ribbon Day Everyday Conference, Association of Women Educators, Brisbane (May 21, 2011).
• Ollis, D. (2010) ‘Global Challenges of Adolescent Sexual Health’, 4th Asian Conference on Sexuality Education, Hong Kong, Keynote Address Hong Kong Family Planning Association (August 11-13 2010).

Working Member of:
APC: Deakin.
Sexuality Educators Network: Sexual & Reproductive Health of Young Victorians FPV and Women's Hospital.
Shared Responsibility in Sexual Education: DEECD.
Managing Trustee: King and O'Malley

Recent media citations and interviews 

• Neo-Marxist feminists send a neutered Trojan Horse into schools to re-engineer our children’s sexuality and social values: Mark Latham The Daily Telegraph, April 26, 2016.
• Students to study sexualised advertisements in bid to combat family violence: Geelong Advertiser, April 15, 2016 Source: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/students-to-study-sexualised-advertisements-in-bid-to-combat-family-violence/news-story/d1ba158f12664830f404f825802d18b1
• Respectful relationships in schools: ABC Melbourne interview with Rap Epstein Drive program April 14, 2016 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/education/year-8-kids-to-study-sex-ads-under-domestic-violence-curriculum
• Sexuality Education: Mornings with Sally Warhaft on 774 ABC Melbourne Monday 11 April, 2016 http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/what-is-so-offensive-about-this-school-workbook-20160411-go3mg3.html
• Liberals lash out at domestic violence curriculum over 'sexy freak out' ad: Timna Jacks and Henretia Cooks April 14, 2016 http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/liberals-lash-out-at-domestic-violence-curriculum-over-sexy-freak-out-ad-20160414-go63ul.htm
• Research reveals students want to learn more in sex education classes: Mandy Squires Geelong Advertiser March 17, 2016 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/deakin-survey-shows-students-want-to-learn-more-in-sex-education-classes/news-story/033c4949540a515d2be9f6141b1bc42c?csp=dd28213c9c8a1ad1f580da3ea626dd1f
• Safe schools Issues: Tim Webster on Afternoons March 17, 2016 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-05/rise-sex-education-adults/7162878
• Sex education in schools – Red Symons February 18 – ABC 774 https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pe2LYbaZ2D?play=true
• "We need to have comprehensive sexuality education," says Dr Debbie Ollis from Deakin University #AusPorn #triplejHackHack | triple j - ABCwww.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/ December 8 2015
• Sex education in schools – Drive Rachel Hunt 774 – December 7 2015  Sexting, porn and raunch to form part of 'respectful relationships' classes Age December 6, 2015 http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sexting-porn-and-raunch-to-form-part-of-respectful-relationships-classes-20151204-glg6l6.html#ixzz3tbs9ZZsW
• Sexting, porn and raunch to form part of 'respectful relationships' classes Age December 6, 2015 http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sexting-porn-and-raunch-to-form-part-of-respectful-relationships-classes-20151204-glg6l6.html#ixzz3tbs9ZZsW
• Respectful Relationships in schools – Raf Epstein 774 Drive Sept 24 2015
• Should porn be taught in schools? Michael McKenzie Friday 20 March 2015 http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnafternoons/pornorgraphy-education/6336158
• How boys become men in a world of online porn, social media and sexts July 18th 2014. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/how-boys-become-men-in-a-world-of-online-porn-social-media-and-sexts-20140717-3c4hz.html#ixzz38Rgu5pIZ
• Tom Elliott, June 14. On today's show –Dr Debbie Ollis on teaching respect in schools www.3aw.f2.com.au/Podcast/Feeds/02.xml
• Power and gender: how schools are taking a lead in the campaign to end violence against women - See more at: http://www.thecitizen.org.au/features/macho-jocks-proud-feminists-all-boys-school-redefines-itself#sthash.JsyQeQ1b.dpuf, Citizen Thursday March 13, 2014. http://www.thecitizen.org.au/features/power-and-gender-how-schools-are-taking-lead-campaign-end-violence-against-women

2013: Faculty of Arts and Education Industry Collaboration Research Award Deakin University

2011: Commendation for Excellence in Teaching 2011

2010: Commendation for Excellence in Teaching 2010
2008: Outstanding Thesis Merit Award for doctoral thesis completed in 2007, Latrobe University Faculty of Health Sciences
2001: PhD Scholarship Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
1991: Victorian Home Economics and Textiles Teachers Association Scholarship

• Ollis, D (2015-16) Capacity building in Sexuality Education: The Northern Bay Experience.
• Ollis, D (2015) Capacity Building in Respectful Relationships. The Foundation for the Prevention for Violence Against Women and their Children: Our Watch.
• Ollis, D. (2015). Respectful Relationships Education in Schools Project (RREiS), The Foundation for the Prevention for Violence Against Women and their Children: Our Watch.
• Hickey, C., Harrison, l., Ollis, D. & Mooney, A. (2014). The Professionalization of Women’s Cricket: New Times and New Opportunities. Funded by Australian Cricketer’s Association (ACA) and Cricket Australia (CA), $25,000.
• Johnson, B., Harrison, L., Ollis, D., Calabretto, H. McLaughlin, C. & Flentje, J. (2013), ‘Turning them on: engaging young people in disrupting silences about their sexual wellbeing’, ARC Linkage Grant Scheme with UniSA, Deakin University and Shine SA. 
• Ollis, D. & Harrison, L. (2014 -16). Docs and Teens Health Literacy and Community Access Evaluation. Baron Medicare Local, Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West Inc. & Headspace Geelong.
• Ollis, D. and Harrison, L. Sexuality Education Matters (SEMS) Developing Pre-service Sexuality Education: DHS (2011-2102)
• Ollis, D. and Harrison, L. Sexuality Education Community Support Project (SECS) (2010-2015)
• Ollis, D. and Harrison L. Capacity Building in Health and Sexuality Education: DEECD (2011-2012)
• Ollis, D. Gender and Violence: Developing Professional Learning: DEECD (2011-2102)
• Ollis, D. Catching On: Sexuality Education in Secondary School: ARCSHS (2011)
• Ollis D. and Harrison, L. Exploring the impact of an intensive mode of delivery on students perceptions of preparedness and readiness to teach sexuality education (2010 ongoing)
• Ollis, D. Gendered Based Violence Demonstration Project Research and development of Secondary School Resources: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Victoria and the Centre Against Sexual Assault (2010).