About
I am a descendant of the Tavelli and Bertola families from the Valtellina, Italy and I was born and live on Wadjuk Country, Australia. I started working in the education sector as a secondary school teacher, before moving into tertiary education as a sessional communication skills lecturer. I then became a unit coordinator and lecturer, leading a large team and teaching mostly first year university students, before moving into Academic Development, where I led and delivered professional learning to university staff for several years. Now I am a Senior Advisor and Senior Lecturer working in the Equity and Inclusion team led by the Director, Student Life and Community, in the portfolio of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, at Curtin University. My responsibilities involve working with colleagues on translating contemporary reconciliation along with advising more broadly on equity and inclusion strategies. My research and experience on the place and impact of reconciliation and Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) in universities informs my work. I aim to always work in respectful relationship with First Peoples and others to make the world a more just and inclusive place. As a lecturer, I sought to inspire students and enhance their desire to keep discovering new ways to positively contribute to the planet. Though I have continued to give guest lectures and work with postgraduate students, the main ways I realise this goal now are through advising staff, and through the dissemination of research that fosters reconciliation and peace, and antiracism and inclusivity. As a writer, I am exploring how to further share my findings about reconciliation in the university sector.