Dr Judith Wilks

Adjunct Associate Professor

PhD (University of Melbourne); Graduate Diploma in Education (University of New England);
Graduate Diploma in Social Sciences (Swinburne University);
Bachelor of Town and Regional Planning (University of Melbourne)

Email: judith.wilks@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    Judith's most recent academic appointment was as senior lecturer in Southern Cross University's School of Education's secondary education program. Coming from a Geography background she worked for many years as an environmental planner prior to transitioning into the field of education. Judith has also taught in a range of Geography, Sociology and Environmental Planning courses at the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and the University of New England. Judith has extensive experience teaching in NSW high schools in both the state and catholic education systems.

  • Teaching areas

    • Aboriginal Education
    • Social Science Teaching Methods
    • Literacy Education
    • Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Judith has a significant research track record in regional education services delivery, and increasingly specialist research skills in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and success in higher education. Judith has published widely on regional and remote education and student pathways into higher education. Since 2011 Judith has been a member of the Nulungu-based research collaboration that conducted the OLT-funded project "Can't Be What You Can't See": The transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into higher education. The project's findings have been widely disseminated throughout the sector, with this work continuing via OLT-funded activities including Seed Project work. In 2015 Judith undertook research in the Western Kimberley in association with the Nulungu Research Institute, focusing on the online learning experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students living in remote locations. Judith and her Nulungu colleagues have published and presented widely on their research findings.

  • Book chapters

    • Wilks, J., Wilson, K., & Kinnane, S. (2017) Promoting engagement and success at university through strengthening the online learning experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students living and studying in remote communities. In S. Larkin & J. Frawley (Eds.) Indigenous pathways and transitions into Higher Education: From policy to practice. London: Springer
    • Wilson, K., & Wilks, J. (2015). Indigenous knowledge in schools and perspectives of Aboriginal children and young people in New South Wales, Australia: Integrating ethical requirements. In R. E. Rinehart, e. emerald, & R. Matamua (Eds.), Ethnographies in Pan Pacific research: Tensions and positionings. New York: Routledge.
    • Wilks, S., & Wilks, J. (2011). Twenty-first century learning in the humanities. In D. Lynch and B. Knight (Eds.). Issues in contemporary teaching (pp.140-164). Brisbane, Qld: AACLMP.
    • Wilks, J., & Taffs, R. (2008). Investigating the physical environment: Intertidal wetlands. In G. Kleeman (Ed.). Keys to fieldwork: Essential skills and tools (pp. 38-45). South Yarra, Vic: Macmillan.
    • (In print) Wilks, J., Wilson, K., & Kinnane, S. (2015) Promoting engagement and success at university through strengthening the online learning experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students living and studying in remote communities. In S. Larkin & J. Frawley (Eds.) Indigenous pathways and transitions into Higher Education: From policy to practice. London: Springer

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    • Wooltorton, S., Guenther, J., Wilks, J. & Dwyer, A. (2022). Aboriginal nation: A strong Kimberley tertiary education narrative The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education. 51(1) https://ajie.atsis.uq.edu.au/ajie/article/view/45/272
    • Turner, A., Wilson, K., & Wilks, J. (2017) Aboriginal Community Engagement in Primary Schooling: Promoting Learning Through a Cross-Cultural Lens Australian Journal of Teacher Education 47(11)
    • Wilks, J., Wilson, K., & Radnidge-Fleeton, E. (2017) Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme and Beyond: Transitioning with strengths and promoting opportunities. Australian Universities Review 59(1), pp.14-23
    • Drew, N., Wilks, J., Wilson, K., & Kennedy, G. (2016) Standing up to be counted: Data quality challenges in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education statistics. Australian Aboriginal Studies Journal2016(2) 104-120
    • Turner, A., & Wilks, J. (2016) A Place for Food in Australian Schools: A socio-historical review of Food Education. International Journal of Technology and Design Education ( ) 1-14 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10798-016-9377-9
    • Wilson, K & Wilks, J (2015) Australian Indigenous higher education: politics, policy and Representation Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2015.1102824
    • Wilks, J & Wilson, K (2015) Indigenous Australia: A profile of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education population. Australian Universities Review 57 (2), 17-30
    • Wilks, J & Ross, K (2014) Shadowing, "The Most Valuable Thing You Can Do": Threading Informal Classroom Experiences into Secondary Pre-Service Teacher Education Teacher Education Quarterly, Spring, 2014 pp93-106
    • Wilks, J & Rudner, J (2013) A Voice for Children and Young People in the City Australian Journal of Environmental Education 29(1) 1-17
    • Wilks, J& Jacka, L (2013) Second Life, First Experiences: Using Virtual Worlds in Teacher Education Australian Journal of Teacher Education 38(4) 165-182
    • Wilson, K & Wilks, J (2013) Research with Indigenous Children and Young People in Schools; ethical and methodological consideration Global Studies of Childhood (3)2 142-152
    • Madden, J., Wilks, J., Maione, M., Loader, N., & Robinson, N. (2012) Journeying together: Understanding the process of teacher change and the impacts on student learning International Studies in Educational Administration 40(2) 19-34
    • Wilks,J., Cutcher, A., & Wilks, S. ( 2012) Technology in the Visual Arts Classroom: An [un]Easy Partnership Studies in Art Education 54(1) 54-65
    • Wilks, J., & Wilson, K. (2012) Going on to uni?: Access and participation in university for students from backgrounds of disadvantage. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management 34(1), 79-90
    • Scott, M., & Wilks, J. (2012) Whisper down the line: Creating new spaces for reflection and dialogue around learning journeys between students, teachers and parents. Australian Educational Leader 34(1), 21-25
    • Wilks, J. (2010). Creating child friendly cities: A place for active citizenship in geographical and environmental education. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19(1), 25-38.
    • Wilks, J. (2009). Putting the 'active' back into civics and citizenship education in NSW. Geography Bulletin, 41(4), 24-30.
    • Wilks, J. (2009). A review of "Child space: An anthropological exploration of young people's use of space". International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18(2), 149-152.
    • Wilks, J. (2008). Rome – the 'Eternal City': An HSC case study of urban dynamics. Geography Bulletin, 40(4), 32-39
    • Wilks, J. (2008). Creating child friendly cities: Innovations for secondary geography curriculum. PEEL Seeds, 101, 37-38.
    • Wilks, J. (2008). Blinded by technology. Independent Education: Journal of the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union, 38(1), 10-12.
    • Wilks, J., & Taffs, R. (2007). Case study of an ecosystem at risk: Mangroves on the mid-north coast of NSW. Geography Bulletin, 39(4), 16-25.
    • Wilks, J. (2007). A scaffold for the research action plan. Geography Bulletin, 39(1), 34-35.
    • Wilks, J. (2007). Dangerous games in the classroom. Independent Education: Journal of the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union, 37(1), 15-16.
    • Wilks, J. & Toomey, F (1993) Strategic Planning by Any Other Name? Australian Planner 31(2) Melbourne, RAPI
    • Wilks, J. (1993) Developing a Role for a National Association of Planners Austplan October 1993, Melbourne
    • Wilks, J. (1993) The Incomplete Professionalisation of Planning in Victoria The Environmental Planning and Management Series 93(1) University of New South Wales
    • Wilks, J.(1990) From Whence Came RAPI? Austplan December 1990, Melbourne
    • Wilks, J. (1986) Community – You're Standing In It! Urban Policy and Research 4(1) 36-38
    • Wilks, J (1981) Field of Thunder: The Maralinga Story , Occasional Paper No. 5, Melbourne, Friends of the Earth
    • Zable, A., & Wilks, J., (1981) Moods of the Maribyrnong: The Story of an Urban River Habitat 6(6) Melbourne, Australian Conservation Foundation
    • Drew, N., Wilks, J., & Wilson, K. (2015) Discussion Paper::Developing a Culturally Appropriate Data Quality Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Statistics. Sydney, NSW: Office for Learning and Teaching
    • Wilks, J., & Drew, N. (2015) Final Report: Discussion Paper::Developing a Culturally Appropriate Data Quality Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Statistics. Sydney, NSW: Office for Learning and Teaching http://www.nd.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/131724/23_7_15_FINAL-SD13-2799_Drew_Wilks_OLT-Final-ReportA.pdf
    • Kinnane, S., Wilks, J., Wilson, K., Hughes, T., & Thomas, S. (2014). 'Can't be what you can't see': The transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into higher education. Sydney, NSW: Sydney, NSW: Office for Learning and Teaching, Department of Education.
    • Wilks, J., & Wilson, K. (2014). 'Can't be what you can't see': The Transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into higher education: Literature Review. Sydney, NSW: Office for Learning and Teaching, Department of Education.
    • Rudner, J., Kennedy, M., Holland, W., Wilks, J., Donovan, J., Shaw, M., et al. (2012). The place of our children in community building: Turning theory into practice. Children's and young people's engagement report (Vol. 2). Bendigo, Vic: City of Greater Bendigo, La Trobe University, Southern Cross University.
    • Wilks, J., & Wilson, K. (2010). Children, young people and social inclusion: Mobilising to address disadvantage on the NSW north coast: Literature review. Retrieved June 14, 2011, from http://www.aracy.org.au/cmsdocuments/Children_Young_People_and_Social_Inclusion_Literature_Review.pdf

  • Conference papers

    • September 2017 - Presentation at the World Environmental Education Congress, Vancouver, B.C, September 2017: “Aboriginal Community Engagement in Primary School Environmental Education: Learning about Sustainability through a Cross-Cultural Lens”
    • October 2015 – HEPPP Conference, Charles Darwin University Presented two papers arising from the findings of the 2011-2015 OLT research project: "Can't be what you can't see": The successful transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into university
    • March 2014 – AIATSIS '50 Years On' Conference in Canberra, Title of paper ' "Can't Be What You Can't See": The transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into higher education'
    • October 2012 – Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Environmental Education in Melbourne, Title of paper: "Active Civics and Citizenship: Giving Children and Young People a Voice in the City"
    • July 2012 – Annual Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance Conference at QUT, Title of paper: "Coffs Harbour's Young Ambassadors for Design: Promoting confidence, active civics and citizenship, and raising the higher education aspirations of young people from backgrounds of disadvantage".
    • November 2011- 5th State of Australian Cities Conference in November 2011 at Melbourne University. Title of paper: "Children's citizenship: Participation through planning and urban design".
    • November 2010 - Annual Conference Ontario History and Social Science Teachers Association, Title of paper: Citizenship and National Identity: Child friendly cities: a place for active citizenship in Social Science education

  • Professional affiliations

    • Member, Australian Council of Educational Leaders
    • Member, NSW Independent Education Union
    • Associate, Centre for Children and Young People (SCU)
    • Associate, Sustainability, Environment and Education Research Cluster (SCU)
    • Member, NSW History Teachers Association
    • Member, NSW Geography Teachers Association
    • Member, Australian Geography Teachers Association
    • Member, Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

  • Community engagement

    Extensive engagement work in and with high schools in the NSW North Coast region covering a range of programs including: mentoring teachers in action research projects; working with teachers and students to promote civics and citizenship education; integrating teacher education students into early immersion programs in schools.

  • Awards

    • 2014 -Shortlisted SCU "Community Engaged Learning" Award
    • 2013 -Shortlisted SCU "Community Engaged Learning" Award
    • 2011 - SCU "Leadership in Community Engagement" Award
    • 2009 -SCU Scholar of Distinction Award
    • 2009 -Geography Teachers Association (GTA) of NSW Geoff Connolly Memorial Award for HSC Geography Case Study "Urban Places"
    • 2008 -GTA Geoff Connolly Memorial Award for HSC Geography Case Study "Ecosystems at Risk"
    • 2008 –SCU School of Education Teaching & Learning Fellowship
    • 2007 - Awarded NSW Premier's Teachers Scholarship in Environmental Education