The Cradle Coast Regional Partnerships team is central to the University’s place‑based mission, working with internal and external partners to support a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for Northwest Tasmania.
As part of the Academic Division, the team drives community-focused initiatives that enhance educational attainment, social connectedness, and inclusive economic participation.
Through strategic engagement and coordinated delivery, the team ensures the University’s regional presence is impactful, responsive, and aligned with the needs and aspirations of the Cradle Coast communities.
What we do
Strategies
- Undertake strategic engagement and project development to drive the regional priorities around access and participation, connection and belonging, health, climate resilience, and workforce development.
- Increase educational aspiration and access to, and participation in, higher education through regional learning support roles in Circular Head and West Coast communities.
- Develop engagement initiatives with staff, students and our broader community that are underpinned by a commitment to building a Welcoming University, which recognises belonging and connection as key pillars of social cohesion.
Approach
Facilitating meaningful community engagement
Events and partnerships connect our community with the Cradle Coast campus and pathways into learning. This includes collaboration with Burnie City Council on initiatives such as the Gloves On clean-up event and A Taste of Harmony multicultural celebration. On-campus engagement activities and events include the annual MakerX, commUNIty Fest 2025 and HealthFest 2024. Our ongoing partnership with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra delivers the Symphony by the Sea series of live streamed concerts from Federation Hall in Hobart to the Makers Technology and Innovation Hub in Burnie.
Elevating First Nations perspectives and stories
We continue to learn from and collaborate with our Aboriginal colleagues, students and community members to elevate the visibility of Tasmanian stories which connect campus and community life through shared events and storytelling opportunities.
Creating a safe, healthy and vibrant learning and living campus community
Aligning with Welcoming Australia to meet the Welcoming Universities Standard, this best practice benchmark will guide us towards becoming a sought after destination for students, staff and community members by weaving connection and belonging through everything we do.
Regional presence
Delivering place-based support in remote communities
Regional Learning Officers based in our West Coast and Circular Head communities deliver placed-based support and engagement opportunities to community, industry and students across the higher education lifecycle. Our RLOs also support the Children's University program across their communities.
Connecting academics with regional communities
We collaborate with University academics to deliver in-community and in-school events that support Tasmania’s education transition whilst enriching research and teaching experiences. Activities have included the Mining Roadshow delivered on the West Coast, Circular Head STEMM Expo, and other public-facing events.
Place-based research
Local Learning Leaders
Partnering with sports clubs to enhance learning in the community, the 2025 pilot of this initiative informs and empowers local community members to become advocates for education. The Local Learning Leaders project 2025 was supported by funding from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success.
Contact us
To share your work happening in the North West, discuss partnership opportunities or to find out more, contact regional.partnerships@utas.edu.au.