University systems have long provided structured support for the learning needs of First Nations students, students with low SES backgrounds, students with disabilities, and those experiencing financial hardship or mental health challenges, amongst other groups. Despite the significant overlap between these recognised groups, students with lived experience of the criminal legal system are an almost entirely unconsidered student group in need of learning support, and who bring direct knowledge of the systems being studied in criminology and law classes.
In this presentation, we will provide an overview of work being undertaken by members of the Criminology teaching team at UNSW to develop better, more inclusive, and safer curriculum, classrooms, and support structures for system-impacted students (and staff). A key element of providing more inclusive and safer learning for system-impacted students is to ensure that those with lived experience of the system are involved in designing classes and are teaching in the classroom. In working towards these goals our team has developed long-term strategies to work with system-impacted people as educators in our program, and to co-create authentic teaching and learning environments for students of criminology.
This presentation will outline the advocacy and disruption work required to genuinely co-create curriculum with people who are system impacted, including challenging background check systems, overcoming stigmatising perceptions of incarceration among colleagues, and altering the language used by teachers and students in the classroom. We do this work to ensure that our program clears the way for, rather than creating more barriers to, education and reintegration for people who have lived in prison (and other system-impacted people).
Presenters
Tina McPhee (She/Her), formerly incarcerated abolitionist and #languagematters campaigner, UNSW HDR candidate & sessional staff member.
Dr Lukas Carey (He/Him), completed his Doctorate in Education and has worked in the field for most of his career as a teacher, trainer, coach and educator. He is a lived experience sessional academic at UNSW.
Kev Dertadian (He/Him) is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology, and convenor of the Criminal Justice and Criminology specialisation of the Master of Laws. Kev has more than a decade of experience working with people criminalised for drug use, and with harm reduction organisations and services to develop drug policy that does not rely on carceral mechanisms.
Dr Andy Kaladelfos (They/Them), Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Co-Convenor of the Gendered Violence Research Network.
Dr Phillip Wadds (He/Him), Associate Professor in Criminology and former Program Director of Criminology at UNSW.
