Staff snapshot: Daniel Johnston

Daniel Johnston is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts. He is based on the Werrington South campus.

When did you start working at UWS and what was your first role?My first role at UWS was as a darkroom assistant in the photography labs that were situated in BJ building, Werrington South. I was a third-year student at the time and Steve Tredinnick, the Technical Officer to Photography, took me on for the role. My friends called me the 'Chemical Boy', as OH&S requirements had me wearing overalls, boots, goggles and a respirator while preparing the darkrooms for the day. After I graduated, I worked as a photographer and designer in the advertising industry before coming back to UWS as a tutor in the School of Design. I was awarded a permanent position at UWS in 2008.

Describe your current job/role in 100 words or less.My work is distributed between teaching and tackling a Doctorate in Creative Arts.

On the teaching front, I am involved with first, third and fourth-year students. Most of my teaching focus is third-year, where I am the Unit Coordinator for two subjects.

My Doctorate in Creative Arts studies how communication and peer-based social learning occur within youth-oriented public spaces, with a particular focus on skate parks.

What's the best thing about your job?I enjoy all aspects of my job. When I started at UWS I was surprised by the amount of support that was given to develop my teaching and research profile. As both a member of staff and a current student, I have access to amazing opportunities for further education, knowledge and skills building. I never would have considered embarking on a Doctorate degree, but the support that UWS offers me is making it all possible.

I have been teaching at UWS for long enough now to have seen students go through the entire degree. It is very rewarding to watch the skills develop over the course of the degree. I have been fortunate to catch up with students and interview them in their places of employment as part of an online lecture series that I produced last semester. It is always interesting to hear them speak candidly about the various turning points that got them to where they are.

I must also say that the people I work with are great! I am very good friends with many of my workmates – friendships that have grown since I was a student.

What do you love most about working at UWS?In first semester, I coordinate and teach a third-year unit called 'Publications'. Each class is set up as a working design studio and through the course of the semester we produce and publish a themed magazine. Each student is responsible for applying for a management role within the studio and working within that management role for the duration of the project. While it is an absolute rollercoaster ride of creativity and emotions, the finished product is highly valued by all who have participated – students and staff alike. We end the semester with an exhibition, where the magazines are launched by the Dean amidst much fanfare and revelry.

What are you going to be working on in the next 12 months?My professional focus for the next 12 months will be my DCA. I have a major milestone coming up in December when I will be completing my Confirmation of Candidature. Once I satisfy these requirements, the door will open to more active research, which I am really looking forward to.

My personal focus will be my family. We had our third child in week one of this semester, so it is easy for me to keep track of how old she is, until the semester is over that is…

Additional comments…I would like to mention all of the wonderful friends and colleagues who have supported me in reaching my fundraising target for the 2012 Sunsuper Ride to Conquer Cancer. My Dean, Peter Hutchings, suggested that I send a group email asking for support. I was reluctant about this approach to begin with, but took the opportunity none the less. The response was overwhelming! Not only did I receive many donations, but I also received emails of encouragement and support, many from people who I had never met before. To all of you, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you.