
February is the beginning of the academic year for Australian universities (unlike my northern hemisphere colleagues). So, at Charles Sturt University (CSU) a lot of new year events are occurring. This week I met our new Vice Chancellor, Andrew Vann, who spoke at the Senior Women's Forum about the importance of CSU making a difference to our students' lives, and the communities in which we live. CSU has a footprint across regional New South Wales, and has nearly 40,000 students.

This week I have also had the opportunity to drive through the
magnificent countryside to CSU's Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra. I
have attended the professorial forum: a stimulating two days' of
discussion about all aspects of university life. It is encouraging to be
amongst such a diverse group of learned people who uphold the explorer
Charles Sturt's (and CSU's) motto of "for the public good". This motto
fits
very well with the research work I am undertaking on my Future
Fellowship.