Members of Council

The postgraduate students who make up UMPA Council 2008 are:

Pictured: Council Members in February 2008

Shepherds: UMPA Council Shepherds are a contact point between faculties and the UMPA Council, keeping the Council informed of issues of concern to postgraduate students and initiatives that may benefit the postgraduate community at the University of Melbourne.

Tammi Jonas

President

Email: president (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

Hello to my 14,000 fellow graduate students (including those of us formerly known as 'postgraduates') here at this fine old institution. I am deeply honoured to be your President this year and will represent your interests to the best of my ability. Should you have any particular questions or concerns I urge you to contact me or the relevant office bearer on our emails as listed, or ring UMPA reception on 8344 8657. We have a big year ahead of us, with the introduction of the Melbourne Model and therefore the much-anticipated new Graduate Schools, which will hopefully provide us all with a seamless administrative experience (and if it splits at the seams, email us as per above). With a new government in Canberra, we can also hope for some peeling back of Voluntary Student Unionism, so that there is more secure (and just more) funding for the essential & desirable range of services you need for your graduate experience.

As for my background, I'm doing my PhD in Cultural Studies investigating the relationship between cosmopolitanism and multicultural foodways in Melbourne. Yes, I get to spend a lot of time thinking about and eating delicious food and yes, I did choose my own topic. ;-) I'm also a mother of three divine young creatures who keep me very busy and on a good day, sane, on a bad one... you get the picture.

I urge all of you to take the reins and manage your own experience - don't let others be your crutches or your cattle prod. And if you don't like what's happening, let us know so we can help you do something about it. If you love what's going on, share the joy! I wish you all the best for a stimulating and rewarding experience as a grad student here at Melbourne.

Tony Williams

Vice-President and Research Education Officer

Email: research (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

Sally Beattie

Womens Officer

Email: women (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

I'm a psychology student and have been involved with UMPA in various roles for the past few years. My first degree here was Music but now I'm more interested in refugee mental health and emotional resiliency. Over summer, I had the opportunity to work in Liberia with gender-based violence prevention and response programs which added greatly to my understanding of trauma in conflict zones.

2008 is an important year to be representing coursework students as we are now 80% of the graduate student body....and growing. I'm aware the Melbourne Model may come with a few teething problems so please feel free to contact me about any transition issues you may be experiencing. I'm chairing a "transition support working group" for students from disciplines which have suffered cuts or who have been affected by course and policy changes. I'll also be working towards clear guidelines for groupwork and minor theses.

Traditionally, coursework students have received the least support in the university whilst paying some of the highest fees. We'd like to turn that around and have coursework students provided with the resources and space we need to excel in our studies. I'm particularly interested in student welfare and equity of access. As your representative on the Student Equity and Diversity committee, the Childcare Advisory committee and the Mental Health Strategy working party, I'd be happy to voice any concerns or hear about your experiences.

Temporary Faculty Shepherd for Architecture, Building and Planning

Aaron Mannion

Publications Officer

Email: publications (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

As publications officer, I’m working hard to produce and deliver quality, well targeted publications to graduate students. I’m also eager to foster and promote independent graduate student publishing and writing. If you’re interested in working on or contributing to any of our journals, magazines or guides, or would like to discuss ways in which UMPA might be able to further your own publication plans, please get in touch.

I’m a recently confirmed PhD candidate in Creative Writing. My writing and my research both brood over problems of intimacy and social exclusion. The creative side of my thesis is a novel— tentatively titled 'The Third Persons'; the critical component traces intimate Others from Wordsworth through to Charlotte Brontë.

Faculty Shepherd for Engineering

Karen Hong

International Students Officer

Email: international (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

Direct email: ehong (at) pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

Hi, I'm Karen! After 3 years of work in a Reinsurance company, I felt it was time to explore some more about the world by studying Law. It's a pleasure for me to stand on behalf of all international students in campus. I'm planning some arrangements to promote network with each other and ways to assist the difficulties international students face in campus. Please feel free to contact me for any issues, or difficulties you face during your Uni life.

Faculty Shepherd for Law

Paula Fernandez

Paula Fernandez Queer Officer

Email: queer (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

Hello every one, my name is Paula Fernandez and I am the new Queer Officer for 2008. I’m currently in my second year of an MA in Gender Studies and Development. As the new queer officer and an international student I am particularly interested in fostering community between queer and international graduates. Sometimes it gets a bit lonely out there and we feel isolated from others.

This is why I’m really keen on hearing what you have to say, if you have any ideas for events that might help bring people together or just a fun break from all the hard work, send me an email with suggestions. Also if there are any issues you would like to talk about and potential ideas for campaigns let me know. I am especially interested in transitional issues related to the Melbourne model change, as a Gender student I am well aware of some of the difficulties that graduated have to deal with.

So don’t wait, contact me at queer (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

Josh Schmidt

Coursework Education Officer (with Paul Coates)

Email:

Paul Coats

Coursework Education Officer (with Josh Schmidt)

Email: coursework (at) umpa.unimelb.edu.au

I'm 29 year-old Masters of Urban Horticulture student with a penchant for politics and as passion for changing the world: green thumbed, yet red fingered you could say. I have been involved in a number of student unions and associations, and was National Education Officer for the National Union of Students in 2004. I believe UMPA should be a vocal and active advocate of graduate students rights - stridently and fearlessly asserting its members concerns, and proud of its independence.

I have an academic background in medical sciences, history of science, australian history, education and aboriginal studies. Its a motley crew, or a frenzied herbaceous border (whichever you prefer).

Together with Josh Schmidt I'm the new Coursework Education Officer. Coursework students face a host of particular concerns - and both the Melbourne Model changes and a new federal government pose additional challenges. Josh and I want to make sure that Coursework students concerns and rights aren't lost in the upheavals.

Amy Espeseth

Email: amyet (at) unimelb.edu.au

As former Women's Officer and a current UMPA Councillor, I am passionate about equity, diversity, safety, support and freedom.

Academically, I am currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing within the School of Culture and Communications at the University of Melbourne. I also hold a MA in Creative Writing also from the University of Melbourne and have taught in both the Creative Arts and Creative Writing programs. My research interests include the intersection of critical and creative perspectives on gender, place and religion and the ontological and spiritual revolution being led by radical ecofeminists. My first novel will be published in 2008.

Faculty Shepherd for Arts

Paul Fijn

Council Member and Co-Chairperson of UMPA Council for 2008 (with Alex White)

I'm a PhD student in Mathematics, and am studying combinatorics and graph theory, particularly in relation to sets of lattice paths. I completed my undergraduate BA and BSc (Hons) here at the University of Melbourne, with majors in Psychology, Cinema Studies and Pure Mathematics.

I've been involved in queer campaigns and organisation for several years, most recently in the campaign for PAN toilet facilities on campus, and as the editor for the QueerMud film project. As someone with a passion for detail (yes, I'm a pedant), I am keen to ensure things run smoothly so that UMPA can continue helping postgraduate students, academically and socially.

Faculty Shepherd for Science

Leo Martin

Email: l.martin3 (at) pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

Well, I’m excited to be a member of the UMPA Council this year and am looking forward to representing such a fabulous bunch of graduate students. I have a long history of involvement in student associations (both here and at Monash University) and am passionate about issues involving access to education and student rights.

From an academic perspective, I hold degrees in Urban Design, Law and Arts. I’m currently enrolled as a PhD student within the School of Historical Studies and am busy investigating how the Victorian gold rush challenged and changed society’s understanding of commercial morality.

Faculty Shepherd for Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)

Michelle Radcliffe

Email:

Faculty Shepherd for Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences (MDHS) Institutes

Alex Scott:

Email: a.scott4 (a) pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

In the past I have represented my fellow students at senior school and undergraduate level. I joined the UMPA Council this year and am looking forward to, hopefully, improving university life for my fellow graduates. I am especially keen to promote international student issues, as I believe we must overcome some particularly difficult obstacles.

I have an undergraduate degree in Business Management and have worked in the private and public sector in the UK. I have completed the first semester of a Masters in International Politics, but have recently changed to Public Policy and Management.

Faculty Shepherd for Education

Steven Theunissen

Email: s.theunissen (at) pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

Hi there, my name is Steven and I've been on UMPA council since October 2006.

Throughout this year, I've gradually become more & more involved in UMPA where I am both the Activities officer & the Coursework education officer.

As activities officer, my role is to create events which enhance your postgraduate experience. Coming from interstate myself, I understand how postgraduate studies can be an isolating experience, studying & working considerably without having the time to build your social networks. This is why, I organise events & encourage postgraduates to take initiatives in organising their own events so that they can meet & develop a more fulfilling postgraduate experience (if you have any events you wish to get started please contact me).

As me, when I finally get the time to do my own study, I am studying a Masters in Development Studies (part-time). My main area of interest is the implication of climate change on international development focusing on the ethical & social justice implications of addressing climate change in a world which already suffers from massive inequality.

Faculty Shepherd for Land & Food Resources

Xiaoye Wang

Email: x.wang25 (at) pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

Hi there! I am Xiaoye, an international coursework student pursuing a Master of Applied Commerce degree. As an UMPA councillor, it is my duty to represent you. So if you need any help or support, feel free to drop me a line!

Faculty Shepherd for Economics & Commerce

Alex White

Treasurer and Co-Chairperson of UMPA Council for 2008 (with Paul Fijn)

Email: alexander.white (a) alumni.unimelb.edu.au

Alex is a full time Masters in Public Policy and Management student, and works full time for one of Australia's largest trade unions as an organiser. He has written for the Centre for Policy Development, and the progressive journal Australian Options.

As an undergraduate, Alex was an elected director of the university services company MU Student Union Ltd, and was General Secretary of the University of Melbourne Student Union. He has been a member of the UMPA Council since mid-2007.

Faculty Shepherd for Veterinary Science