The Common Good and Faith Based Social Services Feb 17 Mini-Roundtable Report
Faith based social services writing a new policy chapter. The Common Good Project Mini Roundtable heard of new initiatives...
Welcome! The Religion and the Common Good Project is an initiative committed to researching the principle of the Common Good in Australia. In particular, we explore what diverse religious traditions understanding of the common good can contribute to Australian society and social cohesion, policy priorities and new forms of social partnerships.
The University sees contributing to the common good as central to its purpose. The project aims to reflect the diversity of this work across our many Colleges while expanding our links with the wider community; not least our many alumni. Guiding our work is the Advisory Board which includes leaders from across industry, academia and public life.
We invite you to join us in this endeavour through participating in our events, listening to our podcasts, contributing to our publications and following us on other forms of social media as we explore ways to help create a fairer and more just society.
Discover the latest news and read about our past events on the University’s Vox website.
Faith based social services writing a new policy chapter. The Common Good Project Mini Roundtable heard of new initiatives...
The first event of The Common Good project was held on Monday 11th August....
The Common Good Project is a University of Divinity initiative for promoting th...
The members of the Advisory Board of the Common Good Project at the University of Divinity’s Common are seasoned leaders from across all aspects of academia, industry and public life. They include:
Professor McLaren undertook a BA at the University of Melbourne, studying in the Department of History and the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, graduating with Combined Honours in 1983. He then completed a Master of Arts by Research in 1985, also from the University of Melbourne. From there he went to the United Kingdom to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford.
Professor Megan Cassidy-Welch FAHA FRHistS is the Dean of Research Strategy at the University of Divinity. She leads the University’s development and delivery of its research strategy, leads the administration of internal research support and the implementation of the University’s research budget, leads the development and maintenance of the University’s research culture, including mentoring and other support. Megan’s area of research is the cultural and social history of the Middle Ages and her research has contributed to the history of the crusades, memory and history, and medieval Cistercian monastic life.
Dr Stephen Duckett has held senior health care leadership positions in Australia and Canada, with a reputation for creativity, evidence-based innovation and reform in areas as diverse as hospital funding (introduction of activity-based funding for hospitals) and quality (new systems of measurement and accountability for safety of hospital care). Dr Duckett has previously served as the Secretary of the Australian Department of Health, the President and CEO of Alberta Health Services, the Dean of Health Sciences and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at La Trobe University, the Chair of the Board of Alfred Health and Director of the Health Program at the Grattan Institute.
Professor Albert Haddad is the Dean of Academic Programs at the University. He has over 20 years experience in leadership roles in higher education, theology, and ministry and holds the degree of Doctor of Education from the University of Melbourne. Prior to joining the University, Albert most recently held the role of Professor of Higher Education and Associate Dean – Program Development and Quality Assurance at Victorian Institute of Technology and previously worked at Alphacrucis and Harvest Bible College. He is the founder of Leadwise Consulting Pty Ltd, a leadership and change management consultancy.
Roza is an executive leader with 30+ years of expertise in legislative, regulatory, and policy domains, across government, the private sector, and peak bodies. Specialising in financial services, Roza possess a 360-degree understanding of the roles of stakeholders and their voices across these spheres, combined with technical regulatory and policymaking knowledge. She delivers effective and considered national outcomes in financial services. She drives accomplishments through people. Roza is a Catholic mother of 3 adult children who is very active in her local parish and community.
Professor Katharine Massam is the Chair of the Academic Board of the University of Divinity. Professor Massam is a historian of religion, with particular interests in cultural and theological understandings of prayer and work. Her most recent book A Bridge Between: Spanish Benedictine Missionary Women in Australia (ANU Press, 2020) is recognised as a ‘model of how religious history, in its broader bearings, can be written’. It was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Award in Australian History in 2021.
Dr Paul Smyth is the former Professor of Social Policy at the University of Melbourne, and General Manager of the Research & Policy Centre at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Fitzroy, Australia. This joint position involved establishing the Master of Social Policy program at the University while leading the Brotherhood’s research and the development of policy around partnership solutions to Australia’s social problems.
Ordained as a Redemptorist in 1971, Bruce studied economics and politics at the University of Sydney. From 1986 he taught social justice studies at Yarra Theological Union and was involved with the ecumenical network Social Policy Connections from 2005-2022. For ten years he worked part-time with Catholic Social Services Victoria, and currently assists with the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, His main interests are in Catholic social thinking and critiques of globalisation.