Social Justice Project

Social Justice through community engagement

International Research Network

ACU National (NSW) and Griffith University (QLD) are jointly developing an International Research Network - Universities and Communities: Partners in Building Capacity for Social Justice.

The Network's research will focus on community and organisational engagement in the areas of leadership, learning and practice.

This initiative will create an international network of researchers and research institutions and develop formal relations for interdisciplinary collaborative projects.

The network will act as a clearing house for the focused exchange of knowledge and scholarship in the area and become a key resource for national and international policymaking.

Key objectives of the network

To develop and manage a long-term strategy for international interdisciplinary collaborative research in the area of social justice to the mutual benefit of all participants
To create an international publication profile in the area of social justice
To inform policy making and practice through the development of social justice frameworks and criteria
To contribute to public discourse nationally and internationally in areas of social justice relevant to leadership, learning and practice
To develop international databases and opportunities for research
To access collectively national and international sources of funding, including Foundations and private corporations

Rationale for an International Research Network in Social Justice

A social justice imperative for organisations today is to engage with and empower communities to respond to global transformations.
Skills in responsible leadership, learning and practice are keys to this engagement and empowerment.
The skills are also keys to good governance, engaged citizenship and transparency in decision-making - concepts of increasing international currency in policy making.

An international network that shares and builds upon a social justice research base in leadership, learning and practice is timely.

Policymaking in these fields needs a truly global perspective informed by research expertise to contribute to just outcomes.

The network will bring together a range of research institutions, service and community organisations (for-profit and not-for-profit) from Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas, strengthening research capacities, exchange of information and innovative ideas towards a common goal of social justice.

Network Secretariat

Leading researchers from ACU National and Griffith University are collaborating on the initiative as joint Directors of the Network Secretariat.

ACU National
Professor Patrick Duignan, Director, Flagship for Catholic Educational Leadership
Associate Professor Jude Butcher, Head, School of Education (NSW)

Griffith University
Professor Marilyn McMeniman, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Arts
Professor Peter Renshaw, Head, School of Education (Gold Coast Campus)
Professor Ross Homel, Deputy Director, Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance.

Heading a team of researchers at each institution, the directors are inviting key scholars, researchers and practitioners from regions and countries around the world to form an international steering committee to facilitate and guide the network.

CONTACT DETAILS

Professor Patrick Duignan
Director, Flagship for Catholic Educational Leadership
ACU National
Strathfield Campus
25A Barker Road
Strathfield NSW 2135
AUSTRALIA

Phone +61 (02) 9701 4321
Fax +61 (02) 9701 4292
Email: P.Duignan@mary.acu.edu.au

Associate Professor Jude Butcher
Head, School of Education (NSW)
ACU National
Strathfield Campus
25A Barker Road
Strathfield NSW 2135
AUSTRALIA

Phone +61 (02) 9701 4238
Fax +61 (02) 9701 4240
Email: J.Butcher@mary.acu.edu.au