Course Directors3794051

Dr Emma Rush

BA(Hons) Melb, PhD Melb

Profile photo courtesy of the Wagga Daily Advertiser, Photographer Ash Smith

Dr Emma Rush brings ethical knowledge, and the clarity and rigour that are characteristic philosophical skills, to areas outside philosophy. Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Philosophy and French and a PhD in Philosophy, both from the University of Melbourne.

With interdisciplinary colleague Dr Monica Short (social work), Emma is currently co-leading a major research project on recruitment, retention and wellbeing in rural mental health, supported by expert team members Dr Ella Dixon (sociology), Dr Nicola Ivory (psychology), Dr Rohena Duncombe (mental health social work), Yangi Uchalla (social work) and Sarah Ansell (management, leadership and engagement).

Emma is a member of the INCinq – International Network of Co-operative Inquirers and a member of the Home - Gulbali Institute at Charles Sturt University.

As the lead author of two papers on the sexualisation of children released by The Australia Institute - We Change Minds in 2006, Emma prompted considerable public debate, ultimately leading to a Senate Inquiry into the issue.

In 2013, Emma received a Charles Sturt University Faculty of Arts Teaching Award (Individual).

Emma (she/her) lives and works on Wiradjuri Country, in Wagga Wagga.

Selected Media Pieces

Rush, E. (2012) 'Girls on film: Could new regulations stop the sexualisation of children?' The Conversation, May 24, http://theconversation.edu.au/girls-on-film-could-new-regulations-stop-the-sexualisation-of-children-6762.
Rush, E. and Norma, C. (2012) 'Sexed up tween advertising shows fashion needs to grow up', Sydney Morning Herald, February 16, http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/sexed-up-tween-advertising-shows-fashion-needs-to-grow-up-20120215-1t788.html.
Rush, E. (2012), 'Teens have hearts, not just bodies', Melinda Tankard Reist (Blog), February 8, http://melindatankardreist.com/2012/02/teens-have-hearts-not-just-bodies/.
Rush, E. (2012), 'Media must do better on porn debate', ABC Religion and Ethics, February 1, https://www.abc.net.au/religion/media-must-do-better-on-porn-debate/10100822. See also the radio conversation which followed from this: 'Can an anti-abortion activist be called a feminist?' ABC Radio National Drive (February 7). Available from: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/can-an-anti-abortion-activist-be-called-a-feminist3f/3816694

Emma is the Course Director for the Bachelor of Arts at Charles Sturt University and a Senior Lecturer in philosophy and ethics. Emma has taught professional ethics for human services, health, and creative industries students, as well as history of philosophy subjects and the second year work integrated learning subject within the Bachelor of Arts. She also supervises research projects undertaken by Honours, Masters and PhD students.

Emma has taught the following subjects at Charles Sturt University.

Philosophy Subjects:

Applied Ethics (PHL101)
Theories of Human Nature (PHL103)
Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics (PHL104)
Theories of Justice (PHL209)
Birth, Death, Love and Sex (PHL210) (module on love only)
Political Ideas (POL205)

Professional Ethics Subjects:

Health:

Legal and Ethical Issues in Health (LAW131)
Bioethics (ETH403)
Ethics, Law and Medical Science (SSC502)
Discipline of Nursing 2: Health, Law and Ethics (NRS295) (module on ethics only)
Professional Fundamentals (MRS100/MRS120) (module on ethics and law only)
Legal and Ethical Issues in Complementary Medicine (LAW304)

Human Services:

Ethics and Social Work Practice (SWK423)
Ethics and Social Welfare (ETH401)
Vulnerability and the Ethics of Intervention (ETH402)

Creative Industries:

Ethics and Law for Creative Industries (ETH205)

Work Integrated Learning (also known as Workplace Learning):

WIL 2: Engaging with Community and Industry (HSS200)

During her doctoral studies and early in her academic career, Emma provided intellectual leadership and pastoral care as a residential academic staff member at Whitley College and later at Queen's College, both associated with the University of Melbourne. During this period, she also tutored across a range of disciplines (philosophy, politics, and sustainability) at the University of Melbourne and RMIT University.

In partnership with Dr Monica Short, Dr Emma Rush provides inspirational professional development webinars on ethical practice for professional organisations.

Emma was a member of the former Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics. Her research in the areas of philosophy and ethics encompasses three main areas:

professional ethics, with a particular strength in social work and human services ethics;
applied ethics, including her nationally significant work on the sexualisation of children, and her interdisciplinary research collaboration with Dr Monica Short, Dr Ella Dixon, Dr Nicola Ivory, Dr Rohena Duncombe, Yangi Uchalla and Sarah Ansell titled Addressing the need for effective recruitment, retention, and wellbeing of non-government organisation rural mental health staff: A pilot study, funded by NSW Health through the Peregrine Centre as part of the Rural Mental Health Partnership Grant; and
environmental ethics.

Emma is an experienced and registered higher degree research supervisor, and welcomes proposals from prospective Honours, Masters (by Research or by Coursework with Shorter Thesis) and PhD students in topic areas related to her own research.

National Tertiary Education Union
Australasian Association of Philosophy
Australian Association for Professional and Applied Ethics

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