Researchers
Dr Kev Dertadian, Law & Justice, UNSW
Dr Andy Kaladelfos, Law & Justice, UNSW
A/Prof Phillip Wadds, Law & Justice, UNSW
A/Prof Alyce McGovern, Law & Justice, UNSW
Dr Phillipa Evans, Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW
Ms Tina McPhee, Law & Justice, UNSW
Dr Lukas Carey, Law & Justice, UNSW
Ms Sharleigh Crittenden, Law & Justice, UNSW
Mx Yssy Burton-Clark, Law & Justice, UNSW
Funding
This project was part of the Australian Human Rights Institute’s 2023 seed funding round, receiving $7,000.
Summary
In this project ‘system-impacted’ refers to people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system, including being criminalised by police, people who have been incarcerated or lived in out-of-home care, and people whose family members or close friends have been impacted by the criminal legal system.
System-impacted students bring skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, empathy, and resilience to their learning experiences across university. They can provide incredible insight into how state systems—the subject of so much discussion on campuses— operate in, and impact on, the lives of real people. However, the value of these skills and perspectives in the learning experience of university classrooms is currently limited by the stigmatisation and structural disadvantage and the associated lack of institutional support of being (or knowing people who are) criminalised, incarcerated or placed in out-of-home care.
This project aims to find out what UNSW (and other universities) can do to ensure system-impacted students thrive in higher education and beyond, and that their rights to education, social well-being, and future employment are upheld.
Funding provided by the Australian Human Rights Institute will help the project deliver a mixed-method survey with UNSW system-impacted students and staff,
This is a national first study in the university sector that will work to remove barriers to system-impacted student's right to an education, and the benefits that it brings in life after university.
Survey
The anonymous survey is open now. Take part by following this link.