Community development for ecological conversion

Leader: Anne Jennings, Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Sciences)
Location: Broome
Dates: 2018 – 2022
Team members: Associate Professor Sandra Wooltorton, Dr Patricia Sherwood

Anne commenced her PhD studies in 2018, finalising her research in 2021, and graduating at the Notre Dame University Campus in Broome in 2022. Her thesis, titled Community Development supporting Ecological Conversion, as identified in Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home –  is publically available here.

While undertaking her candidature Anne was also engaged part time as the Project Coordinator for this collective Kimberley Transitions project. She was the second to graduate with a PhD from this innovative program focusing on transformative research for community resilience. As a component of that project Anne presented at Nulungu Research Institute’s ‘Talking Heads’ – exploring the subject: How does the Pope’s teaching in Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home relate to past activities, ones currently being undertaken; and actions/practice we could adopt to build on for a better future?

Now,12 months after her graduation ceremony, Anne has continued her personal commitment to contribute to fulfilling the themes explored in her thesis. This has included gaining additional funds from the Knights of the Southern Cross WA to cover part time work researching opportunities for the development of Laudato Si’ Stage Two, building on collaborations to advance ecological conversion. Since completion the Nulungu Research Institute is exploring opportunities to enable this important stage to commence, grounded in the work undertaken by Dr Jennings.

In addition Anne has been working with directors and theologians within the University of Notre Dame Australia, supporting their successful signup with the Vatican’s international program, Laudato Si’ Universities. Consequently the university staged the national launch on the Broome Campus in July 2023. Exciting plans are now being prepared to expand it to other campuses in Fremantle and Sydney. As these developments come to fruition details will be updated on this webpage.

For further details and listings of Anne’s publications.

Note: Anne Jennings’ PhD candidature was supported externally by both the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship scheme and the Knights of the Southern Cross Western Australia, and internally by the Nulungu Research Institute, University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus.

Real-life research projects

Acknowledgement of Country

The Nulungu Research Institute is located on Yawuru land, encompassing the coastal town of Broome. Aboriginal saltwater, river and desert language groups across the Kimberley sustain intergenerational cultural, intellectual and social affiliations over time. Kimberley Transitions researchers and associates pay respect to the Yawuru and other Kimberley cultural custodians - to past, present and future generations. Knowledge and expertise, evident throughout the Kimberley – the place Aboriginal women, men, children and others call home – is vital to the sustainability of all people and places. That Kimberley Transitions can be part of this ongoing process underpins the Project's aims and ethos.