Park & Leisure Australia and University Collaboration Project Launch Webinar
Established in 2023, the Park & Leisure and University Collaboration Project was created to strengthen partnerships between park and leisure professionals and university staff, with the shared goal of enhancing student learning and advancing applied research across the sector. This special Project Launch Webinar introduces a new web-based resource designed to support and facilitate meaningful, sustainable collaboration between industry and academia.
The Project aims to assist park and leisure professionals and university staff to establish and maintain productive relationships that support high-quality student placements, applied research initiatives, and workforce development outcomes. The accompanying webinar has been developed to raise awareness of the Collaboration website while sharing practical insights into what successful collaboration looks like in action.
During this interactive 45-minute online session, presenters will explore examples of successful student placements and applied research projects (30 minutes), followed by a 15-minute live Q&A and discussion. Participants will gain valuable perspectives on how industry and universities can work together to create mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen both professional practice and academic outcomes.
The webinar will feature leadership representatives from both organisations, including:
Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA)
-
John Tower, Chair PLA Advisory & Honorary Fellow Victoria University
Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS)
-
-
Katie McDonald – ANZALS Board Member and Lecturer LaTrobe University – recipient of 2024 National PLA Research Award
- Anna Lawton- Positive and Healthy Aging Lead, Knox City Council in Victoria
- Hazel Maxwell – Senior Lecturer, Western Sydney University
-