In the UniSA+ Leader in Us podcast, UniSA students explore the journey of leadership through inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and insights from those making a difference in their communities. Listen below and discover the leader within you.
In the debut episode of The Leader in Us podcast, hosts Sophie Crouch and Deb Kelly welcome guest speaker Sharron Jones, a regional pedagogue in Education Futures at UniSA's Whyalla campus, to discuss the transformative role of relationships in leadership and education.
In this inspiring episode of The Leader in Us podcast, hosts Sophie Crouch and Astrid Fernandez sit down with Riley Thring, a Bachelor of Environmental Science graduate from UniSA, to explore his transformative journey from a spray painter in regional South Australia to a research project officer in environmental science.
Hosts Sophie Crouch and Deb Kelly delve into the remarkable journey of Dr Jessica Porter, a strategic land-use planner, PhD holder, and passionate mentor. Jessica reflects on her transition from regional Victoria to Adelaide for university, where resilience, adaptability, and personal growth played critical roles in shaping her career and leadership journey.
In this insightful episode of The Leader in Us podcast, hosts Sophie Crouch and Astrid Fernandez welcome Nadil Bandara, an international student from Sri Lanka who advocates for disability rights. Nadil shares his inspiring journey from navigating accessibility challenges in Sri Lanka to pursuing a Master's in Information Technology in Australia, all while promoting diversity and inclusion.
In this compelling episode of The Leader in Us podcast, hosts Sophie Crouch and Ha Nguyen engage in an insightful discussion with Kate Swaffer, a disability activist, award-winning author, and PhD candidate at UniSA. Diagnosed with young-onset dementia at 49, Kate shares her transformative journey, challenging societal perceptions and advocating for the human rights of individuals living with dementia.
In this enlightening episode of The Leader in Us podcast, hosts Sophie Crouch and Deb Kelly engage in a rich conversation with Dana Shen, a Ngarrindjeri-Chinese consultant specialising in systems leadership and community transformation. Set against the backdrop of the Kaurna, Boandik, and Barngarla lands, the episode explores leadership through the lens of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions, intersecting with Western hierarchical models.
In this reflective and heartfelt finale of The Leader in Us podcast, hosts Sophie Crouch, Deb Kelly, Astrid Fernandez, Ha Nguyen, and Gail Carr share their experiences as UniSA's Student Leadership Scholarship recipients. This special episode explores their personal growth, leadership insights, and the collaborative projects that have defined their journey.
Sophie is a second year PhD Candidate in Allied Health and Human Performance at UniSA. With a background in psychology, she is fascinated by how our beliefs and knowledge shape the way we behave. Outside of studying, she enjoys reading, baking, and running.
Deb is pursuing a Bachelor of Digital Media online while serving as the student leader at UniSA's Mount Gambier campus. She is passionate about utilising digital media to encourage educational inclusivity and build connections among regional and remote students. Outside of her academic and leadership roles, Deb enjoys motorcycle rides, capturing the beauty of Australia with her camera and listening to podcasts through her helmet speakers!
Astrid is pursuing a Master of IT (Enterprise Management) and thrives on tackling technological challenges and crafting innovative solutions as a student consultant at Aurecon. When she's not diving into IT strategies, you’ll find her diving into pools, perfecting her freestyle strokes. She loves cooking up a storm for friends, devouring books by the beach, striking up meaningful conversations, and finding solace in prayer. She’s all about balancing her tech-savvy side with moments of tranquillity and good company.
Ha is in her third year of the Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) and is based at UniSA Magil Campus. She loves researching topics for her studies and is a very active member of the UniSA Vietnamese Student Society (VSS). Ha is often found in the quiet session of the Magil campus library, taking notes of her readings while listening to her favourite music.
Gail is in her third year of a Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) at the Whyalla Campus of UniSA. Alongside her studies, she teaches the Arts to Year 3-6 students, inspiring creativity and musical expression. Gail is passionate about education and the arts, with a particular focus on helping children develop their confidence and creativity. She has demonstrated strong leadership growth at university, further enhancing her ability to engage young learners through dynamic and meaningful lessons. Her teaching and academic experiences contribute to a well-rounded understanding of effective classroom practices and innovative approaches to learning.
Podcast Guests:
This podcast is a collaboration between UniSA Student Leadership and the 2024 Student Leadership Scholarship Recipients. The stories and opinions expressed in The Leader in Us podcast are those of the host and/or guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of all students and staff at UniSA. The podcast explores topics related to leadership and leadership qualities.