New staff member impressed by USQ

New USQ staff member Dr Jonathan Sargeant

He is an educator, former Special Education teacher, author, father of two and passionate researcher of Children’s Rights and Citizenship.

Dr Jonathon Sargeant joined the Faculty of Education, based at Springfield campus two weeks ago and has already noticed the commitment the campus has made to the local community.

What do you think of the Springfield campus?

It is very positive here and it is great to see how the campus grows in line with the local community.

What were you doing before USQ?

I was formerly a Special Education teacher and worked in Behaviour Management, then spent a number of years lecturing in Armidale before moving to the Gold Coast to lecture at Bond University.

What are your interest areas in research?

I research children’s rights and citizenship. I am particularly interested in the age group from 8 to 12 years and their perspectives on the world. I have been talking to this group of children since 1997 throughout Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand and am looking to further expand my research internationally in the future.

I am interested in how these children understand and view the modern world as it is often underappreciated by the adult community.

If you could get one message across to the student teachers you are working with, what would it be?

Try to pay attention to the views of the students. They can offer more to your teaching than you think. Teaching is all about relationships.

What are your hobbies/interests?

Rowing, AFL (Carlton Supporter) and spending time with my family and children.

If you could have dinner with any three people – alive or dead, who would they be?

The Queen – because she has witnessed more first hand than most people alive. She would have more inside information than most people on the planet.
Jim Morrison – he was a wonderful poet and if anyone could give you insight into the 60’s, it would be him.
Santa Claus – because then I could tell my kids he was real.

Contact Details:
Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096