Academic Level D
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Caroline Ellison is a Developmental Educator, education practitioner and consultant. Caroline's PhD explored 'Leisure in Retirement for Indviduals with Intellectual Disability'. Caroline teaches in the Disability and Community Inclusion Unit at Flinders as well as in the for Education in the Certificate of Special Education in Singapore which is a collaboration between Flinders University and The Singapore Social Institute (SSI). Caroline has a strong commitment to the active inclusion of all people in our communities, particularly those experiencing discrimination and disadvantage. Caroline innovates around teaching by facilitating learnning for local and external students using technology. Caroline possesses significant skills in research and working collaboratively with stake-holders living with disability.
Special interests include; International Development and Inclusive Disability Development; Leisure, Arts, Learning through Play, Social and Emotional Development, Ageing, Protective Behaviours and Sexuality, Community Development, Social Inclusion, Active Participation, Community Based Learning in Higher Education, Qualitative Methodologies, Restless Dance Theatre,Tutti Ensemble and Community Living Project.
In 2011 Caroline was award the inaugural Dot Mills Award by the Developmental Educators Association as Developmental Educator of the year for her contribution to disability services and the profession.
Autism Professional Learning Project undertaken by members of the Flinders Educational Futures Research Institute (FEFRI) in collaboration with partners from Autism SA, TAFE SA and Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). CIs Bissaker K., McMillan J., Ellison C., Davies L., Cray J., Clark T & Papatraianou L. 2013.
Head of Teaching Section, Topic Coordination and Teaching in Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education. Community Involvement around Governance and Disability Organisations, Staff Training, Evaluation and Strategic Planning.
Caroline's main focus of local teaching is around the attitudes and values surrounding social role valorisation, person centred practice, active support, citizenship, diversity, community development, inclusive international disability development, international student mobility and practica, positive behaviour support and the active participation of individuals living with disability in our communities. In addition specific areas of interest include sexuality relationships, leisure, arts, PBS and ageing for individuals living with disability. Caroline has a keen interest in work integrated and community based learning for higher education students. Other interests include delivering formal higher education and professional development programs off shore in order to share skills and expertise.
Study Adelaide International Student of the year - DEC 2016
Associate Professor Ellison is currently the Chairperson of The Community Living Project an organisation committed to providing a quality service in the southern region of Adelaide which enables people who have intellectual and/or multiple disabilities to achieve a purposeful and valued community life. The CLP's philosophy and approach places the person living with disability, together with their family and support network, clearly at the centre of all planning and decision making processes and works with each individual person and their family to provide support that reflects their individual needs, aspirations and dreams for the future.
Caroline is a long term member of the Board of Restless Dance Theatre, Australia's leading dance company working with young disabled and non disabled people to create dance theatre and run workshop programs. Restless Dance Theatre is a place where dance is used as a mode of expression which allows people to speak eloquently to everyone and where the art is made by young people for a diverse audience.
For her own leisure Caroline is an original community member of the Tutti Ensemble; a community choir of singers with diverse backgrounds and skills. Tutti is critically acclaimed and has a performance record that includes Womadelaide, Adelaide Fringe and Bundaleer Music Fesitval. Check Tutti Ensemble out on You Tube. Caroline currently sings with the Adelaide Threshold Singers.
In addition Caroline engages in a range of consutancy activities around staff training in various issues around disability such as duty of care, professional development, project and program evaluation and strategic planning.