Delivering transformative, immersive, and authentic work-integrated learning on-campus: experiences of the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative (BOHII) RMIT
7 August, 2024
This is the second session of the AAUT/UniSA Teaching & Learning Breakfast Series, showcasing the award-winning initiatives of AAUT recipients from institutions across Australia.
- Professor Michele Ruyters (RMIT), 2023 AAUT Program Award Winner
- Hosted by the UniSA Teaching Innovation Unit and the Australian Awards for University Teaching
Abstract
Established at RMIT University in 2014, the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative (BOHII), is a multi-disciplinary campus workplace. Student interns collaborate with academics and industry professionals to investigate wrongful conviction claims and raise awareness about errors in the criminal justice system. BOHII’s workplace design enables students to develop and apply transferable employability skills in real-world contexts.
Since 2014, the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative (BOHII) teaching team has spearheaded a transformative and immersive work-integrated learning experience for students. BOHII internship students work collaboratively with academics and industry professionals to investigate wrongful conviction claims and raise public awareness about errors in the criminal justice system. BOHII is the only Australian innocence project to be created as an internship model and provides internship opportunities for RMIT students and cross-institutional students. Annually, up to 45 students undertake 50-day or 20-day internships to research the merits of claims and uncover factual errors that might establish a person’s innocence.
BOHII’s workplace design enables students to develop and practice transferable employability skills in real-world situations, including interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, resilience and self-care, critical thinking, collaborative working, and research. The team’s expertise in law, criminology, psychology, and education support BOHII’s multi-disciplinary focus and emphasis on professional skills, while BOHII’s embedded industry linkages provide cross-sectoral experiences that are generally not available in standard internships. BOHII’s strong industry links through legal entities, experts and alumni continuously expand the network of professionals who support BOHII, while media coverage of BOHII’s investigations have raised the profile of wrongful convictions in Australia and of RMIT graduates.
Presenter Bio
Michele Ruyters is the Associate Dean, Criminology and Justice Studies and the founder and director of the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative and the Criminal Case Review Project at RMIT University. Michele’s practice and research interests are in wrongful convictions and lived experiences of miscarriages of justice.
Watch the recording
Insights from 2023 National Program Award Winners
30 July, 2024
Join us for a deep dive into teaching excellence at the Insights from National Program Award Winners 2023 webinar, hosted by the Council of Australasian University Leaders in Learning & Teaching (CAULLT).
Each year, the Australian Awards for University Teaching and the Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educatory Awards recognise teaching excellence. In this webinar, CAULLT has brought together winners from 2023 who have developed innovative programs that enhance learning and improve the student experience.
The Cohort Doctoral Studies program at James Cook University provides an ecosystem of support for working health professionals (often part-time, external candidates) to complete their research degrees.
The Toikura teaching unit within Te Pūtahi-a-Toi School of Māori Knowledge at Massey University lead two unique kaupapa Māori immersion Initial Teacher Education programmes : Te Aho Tātairangi and Te Aho Paerewa.
The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative program at RMIT provides an opportunity for internship students to work collaboratively with academics and industry to investigate wrongful conviction claims and raise public awareness about errors in the criminal justice system. Listen in to learn more about these three programs and the teams that developed them.
Presenters:
Melissa Crowe, Diana Mendez and Meryl Churchill (James Cook University)
Huia Tomlins-Jahnke, Mari Ropata-Te Hei, Nadell Karatea-Kokiri, Hona Black, Te Rina (Krystal) Warren, and Rahera Filiata (Massey University)
Michele Ruyters (RMIT)
When prompted for a passcode, please enter: tCId7^f@
Enhancing students’ work readiness: Insights from research in work-integrated learning and employability
24 July, 2024
- Associate Professor Bonnie Dean – University of Wollongong (2023 AAUT Citations Award Winner)
- Presented by the Teaching Innovation Unit, and the Australian Awards for University Teaching
Abstract
In this session, Associate Professor Bonnie Dean explores key insights from research on work-integrated learning and student employability, including future trends and challenges. Participants are encouraged to reflect on learning experiences in their own teaching to enhance student employability and prepare students for an ever-changing professional landscape.
Presenter Bio
Associate Professor Bonnie Amelia Dean serves as the Head of Academic Development & Recognition at the University of Wollongong. In this role, she strategically shapes the academic landscape through governance, collaborative co-design, and professional development. Bonnie focuses on enhancing student learning and experiences by supporting faculty in designing practical, employability-driven curricula. With a strong emphasis on the scholarship of teaching and learning, Bonnie is an active HDR supervisor, journal editor and writer, having contributed to over 100 publications in higher education and work-integrated learning. Her career goals revolve around supporting the development of SoTL and elevating educators in academia through teaching and recognition.