Around 20 staff at CQUniversity Bundaberg will become part of Engagement Australia's first university-based chapter, thanks to a recent partnership.  

Dr Wendy Madsen of the Bundaberg Campus said the partnership was formed following an Engagement Australia conference held in July.

While Bundaberg staff are already involved in the community, through teaching activities and social volunteering commitments, Dr Madsen said she hoped the chapter would open up a space for discussion among academics regarding how to integrate engagement into their daily activities.

"I'm anticipating the Engagement Australia chapter will help staff become more aware of the engagement agenda of the university and to consider how they can start to incorporate engagement in a more strategic manner in their day-to-day activities."

Dr Madsen said the chapter will also provide a forum for staff to discuss their engagement activities and open up opportunities to collaborate across disciplines.

"We strongly believe that research, teaching and engagement strategies will be enriched by collaborating across disciplines."

It is planned for the two organisations (CQUni and EA) to meet three times a year to focus on various aspects of engagement, with rotating guest speakers and chair.

The first meeting will be in October when Bundaberg Campus hosts Dr Jan Strom, the Executive Officer of Engagement Australia. Dr Strom will provide staff with workshops on her Engage-Enable tool to help them tap into multiple perspectives when involved in engagement activities.