Dr Cassandra Star

Dr Cassandra Star
Position/s:Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Phone: +61 8 82012074
Email:
Location: Social Sciences South (330)
Postal address: GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

Biography

Dr. Cassandra Star teaches in the Graduate Program in Public Administration in the Department of Politics and Public Policy.

Cassandra has been engaged in research and study of global environmental issues for the last two decades. Her interests span government, business and community engagement with these issues from both cooperative and conflictual perspectives. She is currently working on an internationally comparative research project of climate activism in Western democracies.

Qualifications

  • PhD Monash University
  • Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning University of Southern Queensland
  • Bachelor of Science (Australian Environmental Studies) Hons (I) Griffith University
  • Bachelor of Science (Australian Environmental Studies) Griffith University

Honours, awards and grants

Honours and Awards

  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Teaching Award (2010)
  • Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation (with Dr McDonald) - For Institutional Leadership in Creating and Sustaining a University-wide Situated Professional Development Initiative to Improve Learning and Teaching Quality by Empowering Academic Teaching Staff (2009).
  • Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (with Dr McDonald) (2007).
  • Excellence in Design and Delivery of Teaching Materials (2007).

Grants

  • Cassandra Star & Jacquelin McDonald, 2010. (ALTC). $218000. Identifying, building and sustaining leadership capacity for communities of practice in higher education.
  • Cassandra Star, 2007. (ECR Program, USQ) $7600. Business Engagement with Climate Change Initiatives in Australia: Understanding Different Modes of Engagement in Relation to Levels of Corporate Social Responsibility.
  • Cassandra Star, 2007. (Faculty of Business, Research & Higher Degrees Committee) $7991. Climate politics and environmental justice in the North American context.
  • Jacquelin McDonald, Michael Sankey, Jill Lawrence & Cassandra Star, 2006. (USQ SDF) $30000. Creating CoPs to improve the experience of teachers and students in first year courses.
  • Cassandra Star & Jacquelin McDonald, 2006. (Faculty of Business, Learning & Teaching Enhancement Commitee, USQ) $7990. A CoP Approach to Support the Professional Development of Teachers and the Learning Outcomes of Core Undergraduate Courses.
  • Cassandra Star & Jacquelin McDonald, 2006. (Faculty of Business, Learning & Teaching Enhancement Commitee, USQ) $5616.  Evaluating student perceptions of, reactions to, and engagement with, embedded graduate attributes.
  • Cassandra Star, J McDonald, M Sankey and J Lawrence, 2006. (The Centre for Transformative Pedagogies, USQ) $5000. From poison chalice to badge of honour - Empowering teachers of first year university courses through CoPs.
  • Cassandra Star, 2006. (Faculty of Business, Learning & Teaching Enhancement Committee, USQ) $2000. Embedding Graduate Attribute Skills in a Core Undergraduate Course: POL1000.
  • Cassandra Star, 2006. (Centre for Sustainable Catchments) $2000. Climate Change Campaigners and Notions of Social Justice.

Key responsibilities

  • Director of Studies - Politics, Public Administration and Public Policy
  • Member - University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee
  • Member - Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Teaching and Learning Committee

Teaching

Topic Coordinator:

  • POAD7004  The Politics of Climate Change
  • POAD9004  The Politics of Climate Change
  • POAD9129  Environmental Policy and Governance
  • POAD9132  Action learning project/internship
  • POAD9150  Public Policy Internship

Topic Lecturer:

Research and supervision

Research expertise

  • Environmental science and management
  • Human geography
  • Policy and administration
  • Political science

Research interests

  • Environmental policy and politics
  • Climate change policy and politics
  • Climate activism in Western democracies
  • Global environmental issues
  • Green political theory
  • Higher education policy
  • Communities of practice in higher education

Supervisory interests

  • Climate change
  • Comparative politics
  • Environment movements
  • Environment policy
  • Environmental politics

RHD research supervision

Current

Principal supervisor: Climate change policy (3);

Associate supervisor: Food policy and public health (1); Federalism and international relations (1);

Publications

Book chapters
Hall, N.L. and Star, C. (2007). Climate change messages and strategies by Australian NGOs. In Ensor, Jason and Polak, Iva and Van Der Merwe, Peter, ed. New talents 21C?: other contact zones. Perth, WA: Network Books, pp. 137-148. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/3317/.
Refereed journal articles
Star, C., Anderson, C., Hayes, A., Heath, M., Reynolds, L., Stephenson, H., et al. (2013). Good CoP or Bad CoP? What makes a Community of Practice successful; Learning from experience at Flinders University. ergo: The Journal of the Education Research Group of Adelaide, 3(1), pp.23-28. [online]. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/herga/ergo/.
Halupka, M. and Star, C. (2012). Maintaining sovereignty in Africa: The role of external forces in warlord states. The Australasian Review of African Studies, 33(2), pp.74-97. [online]. http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=066596795291682;res=IELIND.
McDonald, J., Nagy, J., Star, C., Burch, T., Cox, M. and Margetts, F. (2012). Identifying and Building the Leadership Capacity of Community of Practice Facilitators. Learning Communities Journal, 4, pp.63-84. [online]. http://celt.muohio.edu/lcj/issue.php?v=4&n=0.
Star, C. (2012). A tale of two movements? Environmental Non-government Organisations and Community Action on Climate Change. Social Alternatives, 31(1), pp.10-14. [online]. http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=201206395.
Green, W., Hammer, S. and Star, C. (2009). Facing up to the challenge: why is so hard to develop graduate attributes? Higher Education Research and Development (HERDSA), 28(1), pp.17-29. [online]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07294360802444339.
Star, C. and Hammer, S. (2008). Teaching generic skills: eroding the higher purpose of universities, or an opportunity for renewal? Oxford Review of Education, 34(2), pp.237-251. [online]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03054980701672232.
Star, C. and McDonald, J. (2007). Embedding successful pedagogical practices: assessment strategies for a large, diverse, first year student cohort. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 3(2), pp.18-30. [online]. http://jpl.e-contentmanagement.com/archives/vol/3/issue/2/article/2824/embedding-successful-pedagogical-practices.
Refereed conference papers
Halupka, M. and Star, C. (2011). The utilisation of direct democracy and meritocracy in the decision-making process of the decentralised virtual community Anonymous. In Proceedings of the APSA 2011 Conference. APSA Confererence 2011 - Crisis, Uncertainty and Democracy. [online]. http://law.anu.edu.au/coast/events/apsa/papers.htm.
Star, C. (2009). Environmental policymaking under Howard: extinguishing the enemy within? In Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference 2009. Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference 2009. pp. 1-11. [online]. http://www.pol.mq.edu.au/apsa/refereed_papers.html.

Show all publications

Book chapters
Hall, N.L. and Star, C. (2007). Climate change messages and strategies by Australian NGOs. In Ensor, Jason and Polak, Iva and Van Der Merwe, Peter, ed. New talents 21C?: other contact zones. Perth, WA: Network Books, pp. 137-148. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/3317/.
Refereed journal articles
Star, C., Anderson, C., Hayes, A., Heath, M., Reynolds, L., Stephenson, H., et al. (2013). Good CoP or Bad CoP? What makes a Community of Practice successful; Learning from experience at Flinders University. ergo: The Journal of the Education Research Group of Adelaide, 3(1), pp.23-28. [online]. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/herga/ergo/.
Halupka, M. and Star, C. (2012). Maintaining sovereignty in Africa: The role of external forces in warlord states. The Australasian Review of African Studies, 33(2), pp.74-97. [online]. http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=066596795291682;res=IELIND.
McDonald, J., Nagy, J., Star, C., Burch, T., Cox, M. and Margetts, F. (2012). Identifying and Building the Leadership Capacity of Community of Practice Facilitators. Learning Communities Journal, 4, pp.63-84. [online]. http://celt.muohio.edu/lcj/issue.php?v=4&n=0.
Star, C. (2012). A tale of two movements? Environmental Non-government Organisations and Community Action on Climate Change. Social Alternatives, 31(1), pp.10-14. [online]. http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;res=APAFT;dn=201206395.
Green, W., Hammer, S. and Star, C. (2009). Facing up to the challenge: why is so hard to develop graduate attributes? Higher Education Research and Development (HERDSA), 28(1), pp.17-29. [online]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07294360802444339.
Star, C. and Hammer, S. (2008). Teaching generic skills: eroding the higher purpose of universities, or an opportunity for renewal? Oxford Review of Education, 34(2), pp.237-251. [online]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03054980701672232.
Star, C. and McDonald, J. (2007). Embedding successful pedagogical practices: assessment strategies for a large, diverse, first year student cohort. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 3(2), pp.18-30. [online]. http://jpl.e-contentmanagement.com/archives/vol/3/issue/2/article/2824/embedding-successful-pedagogical-practices.
Refereed conference papers
Halupka, M. and Star, C. (2011). The utilisation of direct democracy and meritocracy in the decision-making process of the decentralised virtual community Anonymous. In Proceedings of the APSA 2011 Conference. APSA Confererence 2011 - Crisis, Uncertainty and Democracy. [online]. http://law.anu.edu.au/coast/events/apsa/papers.htm.
Star, C. (2009). Environmental policymaking under Howard: extinguishing the enemy within? In Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference 2009. Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference 2009. pp. 1-11. [online]. http://www.pol.mq.edu.au/apsa/refereed_papers.html.
MacIntosh, L. and Star, C. (2009). The effect of the financial crisis and global recession on environmental policy and implementation. In Macquarie University/Australian Political Studies Association, ed. Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference 2009. Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference 2009. pp. 1-16. [online]. http://www.pol.mq.edu.au/apsa/refereed_papers.html.
McDonald, J., Collins, P., Hingst, R.D., Kimmins, L., Lynch, B. and Star, C. (2008). Community learning: member's stories about their academic community of practice. In HERDSA 2008 International Conference: Engaging Communities. HERDSA 2008 International Conference: Engaging Communities. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/4220/1/McDonald_Collins_Hingst_Kimmins_Lynch_Star_HERDSA_2008.pdf.
Star, C. (2008). Locating justice in a warming world: developing notions of climate justice in the UK and the USA. In Australasian Political Science Association 2008 Conference. Australasian Political Science Association 2008 Conference. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/4461/1/Star_APSA2008.pdf.
McDonald, J. and Star, C. (2008). The challenges of building an academic community of practice: an Australian case study. In HERDSA 2008 International Conference: Engaging Communities. HERDSA 2008 International Conference: Engaging Communities. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/4219/1/McDonald_Star_HERDSA_2008.pdf.
McDonald, J. and Star, C. (2007). Making meaning of women's networks: a community of practice framework. In Majella J. Albion and Pauline Collins, ed. 2007 International Women's Conference: Education, Employment and Everything... the Triple Layers of a Woman's Life. 2007 International Women's Conference: Education, Employment and Everything... the Triple Layers of a Woman's Life. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/3316/1/McDonald_Star_IWC_2007.pdf.
Star, C. (2007). Dancing together: environment, development, aid and faith organisations in climate politics in the United Kingdom. In Australasian Political Studies Association (APSA) Annual Conference 2007. Australasian Political Studies Association (APSA) Annual Conference 2007. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/3310/1/Star_APSA.pdf.
Star, C. (2007). Whither engagement? Challenges for community engagement within academia. In M. Albion, P. Collins, ed. 2007 International Women's Conference: Education, Employment and Everything... the Triple Layers of a Woman's Life. 2007 International Women's Conference: Education, Employment and Everything... the Triple Layers of a Woman's Life. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/3314/1/Star_IWC_2007.pdf.
Star, C. (2006). The mobilisation of norms for legitimacy in the global warming debate. In 5th Global Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship Conference. 5th Global Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship Conference. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/2110/2/The_Mobilisation_Norms_for_Legitimacy_in_the_Global_Warming_Debate.pdf.
McDonald, J. and Star, C. (2006). Designing the future of learning through a community of practice of teachers of first year courses at an Australian university. In Robyn Philip, Angela Voerman, & James Dalziel, ed. The First International LAMS Conference: Designing the Future of Learning. The First International LAMS Conference: Designing the Future of Learning. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/1935/1/McDonald_Star.pdf.
Star, C. (2005). Notions of ecological citizenship in climate justice campaigns. In Cassandra Star, ed. Ecopolitics XVI: Transforming Environmental Governance for the 21st Century. Ecopolitics XVI: Transforming Environmental Governance for the 21st Century. pp. 1-19. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/2529/1/Star_2005_EcoPoliticsXVI_paper.pdf.
Star, C. (2005). Ecological citizenship - a new landscape for human rights Debate? In Proceedings of The Australasian Political Studies Association Conference 2005. The Australasian Political Studies Association Conference 2005. [online]. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/39515/20090306-0117/auspsa.anu.edu.au/proceedings/publications/Star.pdf.
Hammer, S. and Star, C. (2004). Higher education for community and citizenship? In Education and Social Action Conference 2004. Education and Social Action Conference 2004. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/2532/1/higher_education_for_community_and_citizenship.pdf.
Star, C. (2004). Climate justice campaigns and environmental refugees. In Ros Taplin, Kristen Hebert, ed. Ecopolitics XV: Environmental Governance: Transforming Regions and Localities. Ecopolitics XV: Environmental Governance: Transforming Regions and Localities. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/2530/1/climate_justice_campaigns_and_environmental_refugees.pdf.
Star, C. (2004). Engaged academics? Dilemmas for early career academics. In Education and Social Action Conference 2004. Education and Social Action Conference. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/2533/1/engaged_academics_-_dilemmas_for_early_career_academics.pdf.
Journal articles
Whelan, J. and Star, C. (2012). Community climate action. Social Alternatives, 31(1), pp.4-4. [online]. http://socialalternatives.com/issues/community-climate-action.
Conference publications
MacIntosh, L. and Star, C. (2012). How the Financial Crisis Changed Climate Change Policy. In International Political Science Association World Congress of Political Science Abstracts. 22nd IPSA World Congress of Political Science. [online]. http://www.ipsa.org/my-ipsa/events/madrid2012/paper/how-financial-crisis-changed-climate-change-policy.
MacIntosh, L. and Star, C. (2011). The eco-political theory of postmaterialism in times of financial crisis and recession. In 6th International Conference in Interpretive Policy Analysis 2011:Discursive spaces, politics, practices and power. 6th International Conference in Interpretive Policy Analysis 2011: Discursive spaces, politics, practices and power. [online]. http://www.ipa-2011.cardiff.ac.uk/list-of-panels/.
Star, C., Nagy, J., Burch, T., Cox, M. and McDonald, J. (2011). Investigating the leadership needs in communities of practice: an audience driven empirical journey. In HERDSA: Higher Education on the Edge. HERDSA 2011: Higher Education on the Edge. [online]. http://conference.herdsa.org.au/2011/.
Star, C. (2010). The Use of Teaching and Learning Communities of Practice in Australian Higher Education. In Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Exploring Meaning, Identities and Transformation in Higher Education. Society for Research in Higher Education: Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?; Exploring Meaning, Identities and Transformation in Higher Education. [online]. http://www.srhe.ac.uk/conference2010/.
Hall, N.L. and Star, C. (2007). Getting the message: audience resonance with Australian climate change campaigns. In Belinda Clements, ed. Probing the boundaries of environmental justice and global citizenship. Fifth Global Conference on Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship. pp. 185-194. [online]. http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/publishing-files/idp/eBooks/PTBEJGC%201.6b.pdf.
Star, C. (2007). The mobilisation of norms for legitimacy in the global warming debate. In Belinda Clements, ed. Probing the boundaries: Environmental justice and global citizenship. Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship Conference. pp. 275-283. [online]. http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/publishing-files/idp/eBooks/PTBEJGC%201.6b.pdf.
Hall, N.L. and Star, C. (2006). Getting the message: audience resonance with Australian climate change campaigns. In 5th Global Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship Conference. 5th Global Environmental Justice and Global Citizenship Conference. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/2111/2/HallStar_GettingtheMessage.pdf.
Other public research outputs
Star, C. (2005). Editor. Ecopolitics XVI: transforming environmental governance for the 21st century. [online]. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/3434/2/Star_ed._2005_Ecopol_XVI_Conference_Proceedings_Intro_TOC.pdf.
Hammer, S., Norton, P. and Star, C. (2004). Cheating to cope in the hothouse (Newspaper feature article). , pp.42-42.

Show selected publications

Professional and community engagement

  • Independent Chair, Executive Management Group, Outer South Innovative Community Action Network (ICAN)
  • Australian Political Studies Association
  • Ecopolitics Association of Australasia
  • Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia
  • CP2 - The Community of Practice about Communities of Practice
  • The Flinders College of Distinguished Educators
  • University of Southern Queensland Teaching Academy



inspiring achievement