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Slowikowski, Susan Dr.

Lecturer

  • Faculty of Business and Law
  • Discipline: Marketing
  • School of Business

Overview

Susan Slowikowski has experience across a wide range of strategic communications including public relations, marketing communications, PESO framework, and community engagement. She has lectured at a number of Universities and teaching institutions over the last 15 years, both through face-to-face and remote learning.
Susan's PhD research interests lie in disaster recovery and resilience - especially for bushfire events. How individuals make sense of their experiences and curate memories is of particular interest. 
Susan has also designed and produced four series of educational television programs and accompanying workbooks, of which one series won the Award for excellence in Educational Publishing. 

Research Overview

  • Strategic communications 
    Public relations 
    Community engagement 
    Bushfire risk mitigation and resilience 
    Sensemaking and memory curation from disasters 

Selected Publications

Impact Story

  • <p>Drawing on international research this project has designed and developed a community-based multi-sensory environment (MSE) at the Horsley Community Centre in the Illawarra. An MSE provides a safe, non-threatening environment for children and adults with cognitive, behavioural and physical impairments to engage in a range of sensory experiences. The experiences provided by an MSE can either calm or stimulate the primary senses using sensory-based materials such as fibre optics sprays, bubble tubes, music, colour, lighting and aroma. We know that multisensory environments provide the ability to control sensory experiences and stimulation of the primary senses to encourage relaxation and enjoyment which can be helpful for multiple groups such as senior citizens/aged care, people with physical disabilities and those with conditions such as dementia, autism spectrum disorders and also people with anxiety and challenging behaviours.<br /><br />The project forged a unique partnership between CareWays Illawarra and the University of Wollongong (UOW). Methodologically, this project used participatory action research to foster the involvement of people with disabilities, their carers, families and disability services to assist in the design and development of the space to best meet the needs of the whole community. <br /><br />Initially known as the SMILE team, the project is now called Sense (Sensory Environments for Supporting Experiences) Spaces. It has expanded to explore the impact of MSEs for cross-sector user groups.  The project has grown from establishing an MSE to examining the immediate and lasting impact of using an MSE, and whether personalisation of the MSE can increase use or provide a more meaningful experience. Utilising different design-thinking approaches with coordinated communication plans will be significant as we engage, define, ideate, prototype and test across sectors to provide effective ways of delivering MSEs.  </p>

     Detail View

Education And Training

  • Bachelor of Business in Marketing,
  • Master of Business in Marketing Management (with Distinction),

Full Name

  • Drs. Susan J. Slowikowski

Mailing Address

  • School of Management, Operations and Management, UOW

    Northfields Ave

    Wollongong

    NSW

    2522

    Australia

Located In Facility

Research Overview

  • Strategic communications 
    Public relations 
    Community engagement 
    Bushfire risk mitigation and resilience 
    Sensemaking and memory curation from disasters 

Selected Publications

Impact Story

  • <p>Drawing on international research this project has designed and developed a community-based multi-sensory environment (MSE) at the Horsley Community Centre in the Illawarra. An MSE provides a safe, non-threatening environment for children and adults with cognitive, behavioural and physical impairments to engage in a range of sensory experiences. The experiences provided by an MSE can either calm or stimulate the primary senses using sensory-based materials such as fibre optics sprays, bubble tubes, music, colour, lighting and aroma. We know that multisensory environments provide the ability to control sensory experiences and stimulation of the primary senses to encourage relaxation and enjoyment which can be helpful for multiple groups such as senior citizens/aged care, people with physical disabilities and those with conditions such as dementia, autism spectrum disorders and also people with anxiety and challenging behaviours.<br /><br />The project forged a unique partnership between CareWays Illawarra and the University of Wollongong (UOW). Methodologically, this project used participatory action research to foster the involvement of people with disabilities, their carers, families and disability services to assist in the design and development of the space to best meet the needs of the whole community. <br /><br />Initially known as the SMILE team, the project is now called Sense (Sensory Environments for Supporting Experiences) Spaces. It has expanded to explore the impact of MSEs for cross-sector user groups.  The project has grown from establishing an MSE to examining the immediate and lasting impact of using an MSE, and whether personalisation of the MSE can increase use or provide a more meaningful experience. Utilising different design-thinking approaches with coordinated communication plans will be significant as we engage, define, ideate, prototype and test across sectors to provide effective ways of delivering MSEs.  </p>

     Detail View

Education And Training

  • Bachelor of Business in Marketing,
  • Master of Business in Marketing Management (with Distinction),

Full Name

  • Drs. Susan J. Slowikowski

Mailing Address

  • School of Management, Operations and Management, UOW

    Northfields Ave

    Wollongong

    NSW

    2522

    Australia

Located In Facility

Visualisations

  Publication History
 

Research Areas