A/Prof. Sophie Goldingay

Sophie Goldingay is Associate Professor at the National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research and Innovation Institute (NIKERII), Deakin University. Prior to this she was Associate Head of School Teaching and Learning in the School of Health and Social Development.  She initiates projects to ensure students' retention, belonging and success, and works to initiate and maintain decolonising practies within the School, Faculty and University.  She uses mixed methods and decolonising research approaches with people who are neuro-diverse or jugglining multiple life challenges to explore and improve equity and access in education.  She publishes books and articles with a focus on people's strengths and approaches for working with them effectively. She led a team which created a Multidimensional Framework for Embedded Academic Skill Development which won the Deakin Vice Chancellor's award for Excellent Contributions to Equity and Access in 2012. The project has led to significant developments across the Faculty of Health, including a Pathways project with the local TAFE in Geelong, and a project embedding academic skills into the Bachelor of Social Work. She is also the recipient of two teaching awards, one from the School of Health and Social Development as part of a project team  and a Commendation for Excellence in Teaching from the Faculty of Health.