The appointment of two senior researchers in 2011 further strengthens Avondale’s academic staff.
Associate Professor Phil Fitzsimmons joined Avondale’s School of Education from a previous position as Director of Research, San Roque Research Institute, Santa Barbara, California. For over eighteen years he held positions as lecturer/senior lecturer specialising in language and literacy education in the Faculty of Education, University of Wollongong. He holds the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Education (Honours), Master of Studies in Education, and Bachelor of Education. He has produced or co-produced more than sixty publications, including five books and three edited collections; and has been a member of research teams that have won almost $500,000 in Australian Research Council Discovery grants. He has also supervised a number of PhD students to completion. His research interests have included literacy education, children’s and adolescent literature, visual literacy, authentic learning, and creativity. His current classroom-based research foci include the links between emotion, creativity and writing; visual literacy; and spiritual intelligence/awareness. His role at Avondale includes research, research training, and teaching research methods and literacy education.
Dr Barry Gane has been appointed to a research position at Avondale from his previous role as Director of Leadership and Development for the Seventh-day Adventist Church (South Pacific Division). From 1999 to 2005 he was Professor of Youth Ministry at Andrews University, Michigan, USA, directing the Doctor of Ministry and Master of Arts programs in youth ministry. He holds the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Leadership), Doctor of Ministry, Master of Arts (Religion) and Bachelor of Arts (Theology). His publications include five books (one co-authored), six book chapters, nine resource manuals for youth ministry, and numerous magazine articles. He has supervised eleven Doctor of Ministry projects to completion and other DMin projects in progress as he continues his role as an adjunct of Andrews University. Dr Gane has been involved in collaborative research on North American research teams in projects totalling more than $1 million. At Avondale he will undertake, foster and supervise research in youth ministry, initially researching data to help understand the roles of family, church and school in the transmission of beliefs and values.
Other academic staff appointments
Lachlan Rogers joined the School of Science and Mathematics from PhD research in physics at the Australian National University, Canberra. His research used lasers to explore the physics of electrons in atomic defects in diamond crystals. This research has been in the broader context of quantum computing or quantum information processing. Lachlan expects to submit his thesis in the first half of 2011. He previously completed a Bachelor of Science at Avondale and honours in physics (first class) at the University of Newcastle. He has co-authored ten refereed publications and presented papers at three international conferences.
Aaron Bellette has joined the School of Humanities and Creative Arts, where he will teach photography, photojournalism and multimedia design. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (Avondale), Bachelor of Fine Art (1st class honours) (Newcastle), and Master of Philosophy (Fine Art Photomedia) (Newcastle). He has presented a number of solo and group exhibitions, is experienced in freelance photography, graphic design and consultancy, and has taught sessionally at the University of Newcastle and at Avondale.
Lorinda Bruce joined the School of Education after seven years’ teaching English and creative writing to students aged eleven to sixteen. She holds the degrees of Bachelor of Education (Avondale) and Master of Education (Information Technology) (Charles Sturt). She will teach curriculum studies, literacy, numeracy and information & communication technologies.
Three new academic staff have joined the Faculty of Nursing and Health. Linda Cloete has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in nursing and diplomas in intensive care nursing and nursing education. Before coming to Australia she taught nursing part-time at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. Recently she has been a clinical nurse specialist at Sydney Adventist Hospital. Kerry Miller has worked mainly in mental health. She has a Bachelor of Nursing degree (Avondale) and is completing a Master of Health Science (Nursing) in mental health at Charles Sturt University. She also has experience in youth ministry and adolescent health. Linda Pope has wide nursing experience, including clinical nurse educator (anaesthetics and recovery) (Sydney Adventist Hospital), pain management (Liverpool Hospital, Sydney), and sessional teaching in Avondale’s nursing program. She has a Master of Health Sciences (Education) degree; graduate certificates in neurological nursing, pain management, and anaesthetics & recovery room nursing; and Certificate IV qualifications in business (frontline management) and assessment & workplace training.
Tags: Aaron Bellette, Administration and Research, Barry Gane, Faculty of Arts and Theology, Faculty of Education Business and Science, Faculty of Nursing and Health, Kerry Miller, Lachlan Rogers, Linda Cloete, Linda Pope, Lorinda Bruce, Phil Fitzsimmons, School of Education, School of Humanities and Creative Arts, School of Science and Mathematics