Media releases

Federation University Australia is set to play a key role in three new National Priorities Pool (NPP) research projects.

“Working with partners in the Regional Universities Network and other universities and entities, FedUni is committed to research throughout regional Victoria and beyond,” Professor Marcia Devlin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Quality), said.

“These projects are testimony to the strong quality of our research and academic staff at FedUni.”

The three projects are:

• Australian universities and public libraries working together to facilitate success for low socio-economic students living in regional and remote communities. This project is led by the University of Southern Queensland and the FedUni researcher is the Director of Library Services, Ms Leeanne Pitman
• Understanding how regionality and socio-economic status intersect with disability. This project is led by Central Queensland University and the FedUni researcher is Dr Jenene Burke from the Faculty of Education and Arts.
• Improving the transition and retention of regional students from low socio-economic backgrounds: A '5 Ps' approach. This project is also led by Central Queensland University and the FedUni researchers are Ms Amy Barnhouse from Federation Business School and Professor Marcia Devlin.

“These projects show some of the innovative thinking going on at FedUni. For example, by using existing infrastructure in public libraries, we can bring connectivity to students who do not have internet access at home, without them having to travel long distances to campus every time they need the internet,” Professor Devlin said.

“Similarly, the project on students with disability will help us better understand how to support these students to improve their experience at university and increases their chances of success.

“These projects are in addition to three current research projects in the low SES space that are finishing up in the next couple of months,” Professor Devlin said.

These projects are:

• Facilitating success for students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds at regional universities led by FedUni with FedUni researchers: Professor Marcia Devlin (project leader); Dr Jade McKay and Ms Fiona Sunderland

• A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of the equity strategies employed by Australian universities led by Central Queensland University with FedUni researchers: Professor Marcia Devlin and Ms Fiona Sunderland

• Understanding the completion patterns of equity students in regional universities, funded by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education and led by the University of the Sunshine Coast with FedUni researcher Professor Marcia Devlin.

“FedUni is a leader in research related to maximising the success of regional students,” Professor Devlin said.