Macquarie Graduate Research Union

A little bit of info about us…

About Us

The Macquarie Graduate Research Union (MGRU) advocates for the rights, support structures, and personal stability of higher degree research (HDR) students and their respective programs. MGRU is dedicated to peer structural advocacy at Macquarie University, including, but not limited to, representation of HDR interests in appropriate committees, financial advocacy, crisis management, and transparency of policy and management. 

MGRU does not offer individual mentorship or mental health support to HDR students, provide the sole platform for HDR social events, or facilitate networks between HDR students and industry professionals.

MGRU began in 2020 as the HDR Student Committee: a group of concerned HDR students, calling for fair and equitable provisions for HDR students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since our first meeting, we have been focusing on a range of issues, including HDR students’ mental health and welfare; the use of the Academic Progress Reports; and the impact of the cuts on HDR students.

Ethos

The work of MGRU is guided by an ethic of care. MGRU understands that care for student welfare is a priority to successful completion of higher degree research. To MGRU, welfare encompasses mental health, physical health, financial status, and equitable access to support and resources. This ethic of care informs the projects MGRU takes on as well as the approach taken to achieve these projects. MGRU works collaboratively, both within the association and with university structures and networks. In addition to an overarching ethic of care, MGRU is underpinned by the principles of accountability, transparency, and accessibility which ensure the work undertaken by MGRU remains focused on promoting the welfare of all HDR students.

Overarchingly MGRU aims to:

  • Provide individual and structural advocacy for all HDR students at Macquarie University.
  • Advocate for HDR student welfare at all levels of the University.
  • Provide peer-to-peer communication about University structures.
  • Ensure broad representation of all HDR students within MGRU, including (but not limited to) women, LGBTQIA+ students, disabled students, carers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and international students.

Who We Are

Susan Barnes

President

Susan (she/her) has been at MQ since 2017, completing her Bachelor of Social Science (gender studies) in 2019, and then Master of Research (Sociology) in 2022. She is equal parts excited and nervous to be starting her PhD in 2023, looking at gender, culture, and change in science and technology organisations. Susan is passionate about helping students be heard by the university and encouraging structural change within the bureaucracy. Outside of campus Susan can be found swimming, dancing, reading, or cooking. She is currently the President of MGRU.

Signe Duff

Vice President

Signe (she/her) is a student in the School of Education (Faculty of Arts), focusing on researching children’s spatial reasoning. She is in the final stages of her PhD, having completed an undergraduate degree (Psychology) and an MRes degree (Education) at Macquarie University, and an Honours degree in Psychology at Southern Cross University. Signe lives, studies, and works on Wallumattagal lands, and is engaged with student advocacy and representation at both School and Faculty levels in addition to MGRU. She believes union activism is important to ensure that all voices are given a chance to be heard.  

Casey Crone

Secretary

Casey (they/them) is a non-binary PhD student in the Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences in the School of Psychological Sciences. Their research focuses primarily on gender diversity and improving the experiences of gender diverse people in the community and workplace. Casey previously completed their MRES (2021) and undergraduate studies (2020) at MQ and has been part of the MQ family since 2015. Before studying at MQ, Casey was a professional dancer and studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the USA at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Casey is part of the LGBTQ+ and harm reduction communities in Sydney, previously leading Students for Sensible Drug Policy at MQ. Broadly, Casey advocates for diversity, inclusion, visibility, and equitable opportunity for individuals, drawing on personal and community experience in these domains.

Kate Manlik

Board Member

Kate Manlik (they/she) was the founding President of the Macquarie Graduate Research Union and is the Casual Representative on the MQ NTEU Branch Committee. Kate’s doctoral research explores lesbian and queer women’s place in the Australian HIV landscape. She is also currently working on a collaborative project, examining higher degree research students’ well-being and access to support initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Emma Jackson

Board Member

Emma (she/they) has attended MQ since 2015, completing a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and an MRes and is now a PhD candidate in the School of Psychological Sciences. Their primary research involves critical engagement with psychological theories of gender, with a specific focus on theories of gender development. Emma has been heavily involved in HDR student support and advocacy throughout her PhD candidature, including leading a research project on HDR student wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic; sitting on the MQ Academic Senate as the HDR student representative; co-supervision of Honours students; and co-organising the Queer Theory Reading Group conferences in 2021 and 2022. Outside of MQ, Emma is passionate about sustainable clothing and can often be seen wearing at least one item of clothing they have sewn or upcycled.  

Alex Hill

Board Member

Alex (he/him) lives and learns on Gadigal and Wattamattagal land. Studying a Master of Research in Sociology, his research draws on ecofeminism and vegan sociology to explore the contours of gender and species in Australia. Outside of uni, Alex co-convenes TASA’s Sociology & Animals Thematic Group, which is currently investigating how human-animals relate to other animals around the home. Otherwise, he can be found worldbuilding, playing board games, or watching insects. When asked why unions are important, he responded: “we should all be a little more like ants”.

Jessica McKenzie

Board Member

Jessica McKenzie (she/her) is an ancient historian and archaeologist, educator, and community builder. Jessica completed her PhD at Macquarie in 2022 and her MPhil at UQ in 2018. Her research expertise and interests are in Graeco-Roman Sicily, historiography, spatial theory, and classical reception. Jessica works as an education officer with the Studying the Past Outreach program, and casual academic in the Department of History and Archaeology at MQ. Jessica is also the coordinator of the SPQR Roman History Community program at MQ and founder of the Australasian Classics Postgraduate Network. Jessica is passionate about the everyday experiences of the ancient world, Humanities research communication, and the conflict between authenticity and accuracy when depicting the ancient past in video games.

Kayson Whitehouse

IT Support / General Member

Kayson Whitehouse (they/he) is an early-stage PhD candidate in the School of Computing at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus. As neurodivergent & trans-masc non-binary, their research interests focus on how games can empower and affirm minority groups. Kayson’s PhD investigates how games can be intentionally welcoming for trans and gender diverse players. This builds off of their master’s research investigating how Trans and Gender Diverse Players as affirming spaces for exploring, experimenting, and experiencing gender identity. Additionally, Kayson works part-time as a software engineer in the serious games space and as a lecturer & tutor within the Game Design and Development Teaching team at Macquarie.

Lifetime Members

Annalise Humphris

Board Member 2021-2023