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Meet an ECU Staff Giver: Professor Davina Porock

Friday, 03 May 2024

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Name: Professor Davina Porock
Position: Director, Centre for Research in Aged Care
School/Centre: School of Nursing and Midwifery
Campus: ECU Joondalup
Pronouns: She/Her

What three words would you use to describe your role at ECU?

Creative, innovative, and courageous.

What fund do you support through the ECU Staff Giving program?

Inspiring Minds Scholarship Fund.

Why did you become a Staff Giver, and why are you passionate about supporting this fund?

I have worked in universities in Australia, the UK and the USA and been visiting scholar in Malaysia, The Netherlands, and Canada. Across all these places I have seen the transformative impact of a good tertiary education and its role in social mobility, health, and even longevity. I was first introduced to staff giving in the USA where it is embedded in the culture of academic life, so since then I have always given in whichever university I have worked as a way of giving back in addition to teaching and research.

I was awarded my PhD from ECU which provided me access to global opportunities, so supporting students here in particular is very important and meaningful to me. My education at ECU was the springboard to an international career.

I am a nurse scientist and researcher and I want there to be more people researching and creating in my discipline. I want to support students more broadly too – particularly in what I call the “practice disciplines” – to have the opportunity to incorporate research into their education and to do that early in their practice careers. Focus is incredibly important along with good research training whether it be an honours or postgraduate degree. It is a unique time in a researcher’s career trajectory when they have the opportunity to be fully emersed in the intellectual and creative elements of research and innovation.

So, providing the means for students to be able to focus, and spend the funding on everyday things so that everyday needs don’t become a barrier to the research, is a practical way to support the students.

Have you had the opportunity to engage with the beneficiaries of the fund you support, and if so, how has that experience influenced your passion for giving?

I’ve met students at the annual staff giving event – it is always inspirational to meet the students. It keeps me giving.

Visit our webpage to find out more about ECU’s Inspiring Minds Scholarship Fund. You can also read more about the impact ECU staff are making through the Staff Giving program.

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