Dr Phyllis Araneo | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Before devoting herself to academia, Dr Phyllis Araneo was an artist, advertising art director, graphic arts manager and music industry portrait painter in the NY metropolitan area. Inspired by nature, some of her paintings have been reproduced as prints, cards and homewares here in Australia.

She began teaching and studying at USC in 2002. A multi-disciplinarian, Dr Araneo has taught courses in visual literacy, art history, communication theory, arts education, academic skills, information technology and education for sustainable development. Her first Master’s degree explored the resurgence in contemporary culture of the iconic artistic image of the Green Man. The study analysed meanings and messages conveyed by the image throughout history as well as investigated how visual information can transform thought and invoke action within societies. The success of that popular study led to a research and teaching fellowship in a USC Education for Sustainability Development (ESD) core course.

After a second Master’s Degree in Education, Phyllis completed her PhD thesis Developing an Exemplary ESD Course: A Multiple Case Study of First Year ESD Courses in Tertiary Education. This global case study focuses on curricular and pedagogical evaluation and optimisation of learning outcomes in ESD courses. From this, a specific interest of deepening science understanding in the citizenry has emerged, with a view towards increasing environmentally responsible futures. She currently writes and publishes information on futures that perpetuate this desired outcome. Phyllis is a passionate proponent of education and currently teaches in the School of Education and Tertiary Preparation Pathways.