Dear Western Sydney University Community,

We would like to invite you to join the Western Sydney University Academic Literacy Resources Community of Practice (CoP). This CoP has emerged from the Academic Literacy Advisory Group (ALAG) that reports to the Senate Education Committee.

Please join our Viva Engage group for updates. Our zoom meeting will be held on Friday 19th July 12pm – 1:30pm. Register below to receive the zoom link.

Our Guest Speakers for this CoP are:

Associate Professor Leanne Rylands, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics

Presentation: "Mathematics and Statistics Literacy".

Associate Professor Leanne Rylands, is a leading expert in combinatorics and mathematics tertiary education with an emphasis on first-year mathematics. In this presentation, she will discuss the importance of mathematics and statistics literacy support for university students, and how as a university we can further support this endeavour.  

Linda Thornely, School Librarian for School of Computer, Data and Mathematics Sciences, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment and The Academy, Library Academic Services Team

Presentation: "The Academic Skills Pocketbook: A Guide to Success at University".

Linda Thornely will present on her process of creating the "Academic Skills Pocketbook" for Western Sydney University, co-authored with Richard Scharges, Ashleigh Watson and Susan McGlynn. This open access book aligns to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education supporting inclusive and affordable access to higher educational resources.

Dr Suzanne D'Souza, Professional Communication and Academic Literacy Skills Advisor, School of Nursing and Midwifery

Presentation: "Exploring cul-de-sacs and alleys in qualitative writing: A HDR perspective".

Following her recent publication, Dr Suzanne D'Souza will present three distinct strategies to write it right, qualitatively: tight alignment between the writing style and research philosophy, genre-mixing and incorporating researcher experiences.

This Community of Practice has three key aims:

- To engage with the scholarship of teaching and learning

- To discuss best approaches to developing equitable academic literacy support at Western Sydney University in alignment with the university-wide Academic Literacy Strategy

- For Academic staff, professional staff, and students to share best practice examples, resources, and shape academic literacy at WSU

To access information about the Academic Literacy Advisory Group and the University-wide Academic Literacy Strategy click here.

If you are interested in presenting at a future CoP please fill out this form.