Fulbright scholar explores Whitlam legacy as part of impactful research
Una Corbett, a visiting Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar who graduated from Harvard University in 2020, was drawn to Western Sydney University for its strong commitment to social justice and socially engaged, interdisciplinary research.
Based at the University’s Institute for Culture and Society and the Whitlam Institute, the history and policy researcher will now return to the United States with new insights into her own cultural and political context.
“Once I arrived at the University, I was eager to collaborate with the Whitlam Institute. Their work to preserve the Whitlam legacy and drive impactful policy research presented a great opportunity to combine my interests in historical research and public policy,” said Una.
“I’ve been lucky to do archival research in the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection and the University’s library collections, which contain some really unique and historically significant materials.”
Una said the support and guidance of her advisors, Professor Karen Soldatic from the Institute for Culture and Society and Dr Andrea Connor from the Whitlam Institute, has been integral to the success of her research while in Australia.
“In collaboration with the Whitlam Institute, I conducted an intergenerational analysis of Australian women’s experiences of higher education, interviewing Australian women pursuing higher education today and analysing archival materials documenting Australian women’s experiences of free tertiary education in the 1970s and 80s. I used my findings to devise policy recommendations to make Australian higher education more equitable for all.”
“This project was inspired by the Whitlam Institute’s work to highlight the contemporary relevance of the Whitlam government in the context of the 50th anniversary of Whitlam’s election. I was also guided by my previous experience working in education policy as a Biden administration political appointee at the U.S. Department of Education.”
As part of a second project, Una conducted archival research focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families in the Whitlam Institute and University archives, writing an internal research guide for scholars and policy experts undertaking research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, activism, and women and families in Western Sydney University collections.
“I was led to this topic by my previous research on child removal policies in postcolonial Ireland as a Historical Memory Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. I wanted to explore the parallels between Irish and Australian history in this area, which drove me to learn more about the Stolen Generations and how 20th-century Australian government policies impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families.”
Alongside her impactful research findings, Una cites the most meaningful outcomes of her Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship as the personal and professional connections she formed through the University, the Fulbright Commission, and the community.
“It’s been a wonderful opportunity to pursue impactful research, form new connections, and be immersed in a different country and culture, and I’ve loved getting to know other researchers, students and staff members at the Institute for Culture and Society and Whitlam Institute – there’s a really strong campus community here at the University.”
After her Fulbright experience, Una hopes to continue to contribute to efforts to advance education and gender equity across the government, nonprofit, and education sectors.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship foreign exchange program of the United States. First established in 1946, it has become the largest educational exchange program in the world, operating in more than 160 countries.
ENDS
31 January 2022
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