Alumni Profiles
Name
Dr. Sue Saltmarsh
Degree
PhD (awarded 2005)
Occupation
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Education, University of Western Sydney. Professional responsibilities include: development of conceptual and theoretical frameworks for ongoing research projects, research design and development, conducting field work, collation and analyses of data, dissemination of research results through scholarly publication and conference presentation, preparation of applications for competitive internal and external funding, collaboration with industry partners, engagement in inter-institutional and international research collaborations, contributing to the intellectual life of the research team and the College faculty, occasional lecturing and postgraduate supervision, and participation in community outreach.
Achievements and Awards
2005, Australian Association of Education Researcher's Doctoral Thesis Award
2005, Macquarie University Vice Chancellor's Commendation for Academic Excellence
2001-2004, Research Award for Areas & Centres of Excellence, Macquarie University
1999, Golden Key National Honour Society
Advice to other Arts students
The most important thing I've learned as a student of Cultural Studies at Macquarie is that unless something's worth understanding more deeply, sacrificing for and publicly defending, it's probably not worth writing about anyway. Research is activism: learning is a privilege, courage is an obligation, compassion is a necessity, the future is undecided, and we have a chance to make a difference.
The value of Cultural Studies in my career and everyday life
Cultural Studies provides a crucial point from which to engage in critical interdisciplinary dialogues concerned with finding new approaches to addressing issues of social justice and equity. In a social and political climate dominated by neoliberal ideologies that privilege corporate greed and political conservatism over human rights, environmental sustainability, and peaceful relations in local, regional, national and international contexts, Cultural Studies offers a way forward by challenging the status quo through politically engaged scholarship and research activism. The benefits—in both personal and career terms—are found first and foremost in the intellectual and political challenges involved in looking for meaningful ways to change the dire state of the world.