Finding the joy in complexity: Privileging the practitioner voice in graduate employability

Author Biographies

• Lauren Hansen, Deakin University

  Associate Professor Lauren Hansen, SFHEA, is Director, Graduate Employability at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. Lauren leads a university-wide program of works to build staff capability to design, deliver, enable, and lead a cohesive, evidence-informed program of graduate employability activities in all courses. She is particularly interested in the intersection of the self, education, and employment and how universities can support students and staff in developing their professional practice and identity. Lauren is an International Coaching Federation-certified life coach and has a PhD in the social work discipline from Monash University.

• Bonnie Amelia Dean

  Associate Professor Bonnie Amelia Dean serves as the Head of Academic Development & Recognition at the University of Wollongong. In this role, she strategically shapes the academic landscape through governance, collaborative co-design, and professional development. Bonnie focuses on enhancing student learning and experiences by supporting faculty in designing practical, employability-driven curricula. She seeks to empower educational leaders to strategically navigate and excel throughout their academic careers. 

• Michael Healy

  Dr Michael Healy is the National Manager, Career Education for myfuture.edu.au, Australia’s national career education platform. Prior to this role he led the career development training programs from careerED Academy. He has also been a careers and employability educator at several universities, leading the development of a range of services and programs in and alongside the curriculum and contributing to the development of institution-wide career, employability, and work-integrated learning strategies and frameworks. Michael is recognised as a leader in the field of career development and employability.

• Deanne Gannaway

  Associate Professor Deanne Gannaway is the Academic Lead of the Advancing Teaching portfolio in the Institute of Teaching and Learning Innovation (ITaLI) at the University of Queensland. In this role, Deanne works collaboratively to enable teaching and learning innovation, teaching practice and recognition of teaching expertise. Her teaching and scholarship focus on continuing professional learning for university teachers and professional education for students; her research collaborations on strategic, evidence-based and innovative projects influencing policy and practice institutionally, nationally and internationally.

• Barbie Panther

  Professor Barbie Panther is the Director (Teaching Capability and Innovation) at Deakin and leads the Deakin Teaching and Learning Academy, within Deakin Learning Futures. In this role, she supports staff to build capability, connections, and careers.  Barbie is passionate about ensuring parity of esteem and recognition of teaching expertise for all who teach or support learning in higher education contexts. Starting her career in environmental chemistry, Barbie has over 20 years of experience in higher education and has led teaching and learning through a range of leadership roles.

• Jamie Mustard

  Professor Jamie Mustard is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor, Graduate Employment at Deakin University. He oversees DeakinTALENT, the University’s career service. He has strategic oversight for work integrated learning across the university and oversees a program of embedding employability initiatives within curricula. He has a particular interest in employability interventions for international students, from pre-departure through to graduation. Previously, Jamie has held various leadership roles throughout the University, including Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Business and Law.