Cultural inclusion & racial equity

VU Cultural Inclusion Advocates

Dr Joanna Doley

Joanna is a teacher in psychology, and also an early career researcher. She enjoys teaching the diverse group of students who attend Victoria University, and aims to be a good ally to students of all cultural backgrounds.

As someone whose research includes a focus on stigma (discrimination), she understands the need to provide extra support to ensure all people are on a level playing field at university. She aims to nurture the talents of undergraduates to help improve cultural diversity in academia, and the professional workforce more generally.

Dr Horace King

Horace was born overseas and grew up surrounded by many cultures, out of which many lasting friendships were made. Horace has been privileged to study in a multicultural diverse environment gaining an insight into how the others live, interact, assimilate and socialise.

My current teaching profession enables me to impart life experiences as well as professional expertise to a whole spectrum of students from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds with a common goal to work hard and succeed. Cultural cohesion is a cornerstone to stability, mutual understanding and respect. I hope my participation will contribute to enhance cultural diversity at Victoria University.

Dr Nilufa Khanom

Dr Nilufa Khanom is a career academic and researcher.

Before joining the Victoria University Business School (VUBS), she worked in the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the University of Canberra (UC) as an academic.

Dr Oksana Razoumova

Dr Oksana Razoumova is a lecturer and the Course Chair in TESOL, with a background in Applied Linguistics. Her research interests are in second language curriculum design and pedagogy, contemporary TESOL practices and teacher professional learning and development.

Dr Jayce Naidoo

Dr Jayce Naidoo is a senior lecturer at Victoria University Business School. He has held academic positions of Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in South Africa at University of South Africa, Tshwane University of Technology and Fort Cox College of Agriculture.

Dr Daniel Ooi

Daniel is a Senior Lecturer in the VU First Year College®, who coordinates and teaches units in community and international development, sociology, and the human services. He is passionate about teaching students from culturally diverse backgrounds, those who are first-in-family, and those from working-class backgrounds, and drawing upon the rich life experiences and cultural knowledge they bring to student-centred learning.

Professor Chris Walsh

Professor Chris Walsh is the Dean and Chief Academic Officer of VU Online. In this role, he provides academic, administrative, research and marketing leadership to achieve VU’s Strategic Plan. Chris heads a portfolio of quality and assurance and has accountability for the superintendence of VU Online units, courses and programs. He is also responsible for the University’s academic governance, quality assurance and compliance standards, polices and processes are met throughout VU Online’s operations.

Sue Zoghaib

Sue Zoghaib is an Academic Teaching Scholar of Youth Work.

Dr Carla Luguetti

Carla’s overarching research and teaching focus on topics of sport pedagogy and social justice. Over the past seven years she has focused on understanding activist approaches within sporting contexts. Specifically, her line of research aims at co-creating a pedagogical model for working with youth from diverse backgrounds. The intent is to use sport as a vehicle for assisting youth to become critically aware of their communities’ social issues.

Meagan McInnes

Meg is a former paramedic of Ambulance Victoria. In recent years, Meg has developed an interest in cardiac research, and more specifically in use of ambulance in acute coronary syndromes. She has a passion for research that aims to benefit marginalised groups such as culturally and linguistically diverse Australians.

Jennifer Murphy

Jennifer is a librarian who has been at Victoria University for many years, enjoying working in an environment which is accepting of those from many different countries and cultures. Libraries are places of welcome, learning, and connection.

We need to see each other as individuals showing respect and understanding of difference, and to provide spaces and opportunities for everyone to feel welcome.

Wayne Butson

Wayne Butson is the Executive Director, College of Pathways & Dual Sector Operations.

Wayne has worked with VU for 20 years and has held substantive roles as Head of School, Associate Director of Quality and Capability, Associate Dean of Learning, Teaching and Students, Dean of the Faculty of Workforce Development, and Dean of the College of English, Foundation and Pathways.

Abdul Rahman Mohamed Saleh

Hailing from multicultural Singapore, where he practised law for 14 years, Abdul Rahman scouted around before deciding to settle down in Melbourne in 2001 because of its vibrancy. He taught at Monash University and practised as a community legal centre lawyer where he encountered students and clients of diverse heritage, before joining Victoria University as a law lecturer in 2008. Malay by race and Muslim by faith, Abdul Rahman has a keen interest in comparative cultures and building bridges across different faiths, including non-religious creeds. He enjoys the even greater diversity at VU, which he reckons is one of the many pluses of the University.

Associate Professor Hao Shi

Hao Shi was born and grew up in China. She obtained her bachelor degree in China before coming to Australia to complete her PhD. She has been in universities for nearly 30 years and interacting with students and staff from various ethnic, cultural, language, political and religious backgrounds.

As the course chair and site coordinator for China operations for the Bachelor of Information Technology, she has been heavily involved in cultural and international programs and witnessed the importance of diversity and inclusion.

As a wife, a mother, a first generation migrant from Chinese background and a full-time academic, I am passionate about promoting multiculturality and improving equity.

Cultural Inclusion Advocates provide a unique opportunity for her to contribute to building a culture with zero tolerance towards bullying, harassment and discrimination, and creating an accepting, inclusive, and safe place for students and staff community.

Associate Professor Anthony Zulli

Anthony is a passionate teacher and researcher, holding his doctorate for nearly 20 years. His research laboratory holds students from various cultural, political and religious backgrounds, including Muslim, atheist, Christian and Hindu.

As a first generation, Catholic male from Italian background, a dad, and a full-time employee at Victoria University, I understand the importance of equity and diversity in our multicultural environment. I feel privileged to be part of this initiative to help cement the significance of cultural diversity, so we feel accepted, inclusive, safe, important, valued and heard. Personally, I promote a zero tolerance for discrimination and oppression, which will inevitably build a better and happier workplace.