Mark Bremner
Environmental Science Teamwork Hallmark Application
University Teamwork
Peer Support Network Leader Reference
Peer Support Network Leader, Deakin University
Peer Support Network Leaders help new students transition to university with not only academic guidance, but also social and cultural guidance. At Deakin University I’m a Peer Support Network Leader for Environmental Science students. It’s great for using my problem solving skills as you never quite know what form of help the students will need and how you can deliver this with your fellow leader. It is a very rewarding experience.
Presenting information and an 'Amazing Race' for the Environmental Management and Sustainability course information session at O’Week in 2018 was a snapshot of possible ways to get the new students connecting with each other as an extension of the Peer Support Network.
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"Mark was proactive when challenges in managing our group of students arose, using his initiative to find appropriate solutions to recurrent issues."
"He demonstrated his support of assisting the new students by dedicating time to meet many times with just one or two students when this was not necessarily required of our role. "
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Holly Gloster,
Peer Support Network Leader
Deakin University
Sustainability Leadership Reference
Sustainability Leadership Tutorial Feedback
In the Sustainability Leadership unit at Wageningen University (currently during a semester abroad) our team ran a tutorial on gender and diversity in sustainability leadership. Facilitating discussion and learning on a sometimes tentative issue required preparation and strong teamwork to resolve tensions. It was rewarding to see our students from different cultures open up and have honest heartfelt conversations.
Sustainability Leadership, Wageningen University, Netherlands
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"Mark... listened to everyone and made important decisions when needed..."
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"...He took extra responsibility for the group's presentation so that nothing was left to chance."
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Ewelina Dereman
Sustainability Leadership Peer
Exploring gender and diversity in Sustainability Leadership (Mark is centre)
Nepal Reference - Rose O'Leary
Nepal & China Reference - Janine McBurnie
Global Environmental Placement, Nepal
For Deakin's Global Environmental Placement I participated in the Developing Global Perspectives program in Nepal run by Seven Women and Hands On Development Tours. The cultural tour immersed us in sustainable development challenges, particularly those for marginalised Nepalese women. Problem solving and effective communication were important for developing projects and solutions. Emotional sensitivity and including other team members were important during the trip to adapt to confronting situations.
"...from the beginning he was someone who was easy to approach and have a conversation with. We experienced some testing and difficult things on the tour, and Mark was someone we could all debrief with"
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"Mark became interested in how the host organisation, Seven Women, were able to improve their makeshift greenhouse and Mark became a leader in improving it!"
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Rose O'Leary
Hands On Development Tour Participant
Deakin University
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"Mark...was able to use this (extensive travel) experience not only to adapt to the conditions and situations faced within Nepal, but also to help others on the study tour to adapt and to cope with what were at times, very challenging situations. ...many of the team of students that struggled at the time may not have even been aware that Mark was supporting them in difficult times, but it was abundantly clear to me."
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Janine McBurnie
Senior Lecturer (Environmental Management & Sustainability)
Deakin University
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The team on the Hands On Development tour with the women from the Kathmandu Seven Women centre (Mark is third row, second from left)
Environmental Sustainability, Hubei University, China
Nepal & China Reference - Janine McBurnie
China Reference - Liz Weldon
China Reference - Gina Handby
Getting to know the Hubei University students at lunch breaks (Mark is left)
Studying with the Hubei University students
Environmental Sustainability (SLE121) is taught in Trimester 3 by Deakin staff at Hubei University in Wuhan, China. I undertook this unit in China to further my understanding of environmental challenges in China and improve my intercultural teamwork skills. During and outside of class I used communication skills - particularly listening and clear explanation alongside cultural consideration to achieve teamwork outcomes in group work, presentations, problem solving and building friendships.
"Right at the start Mark was clearly determined to work with the local Hubei students as much as possible. I was able to watch Mark work with the team as a gentle leader. He made sure that everyone had a chance to participate in the project and also that the team worked towards completing the project at a high level."
Janine McBurnie
Senior Lecturer (Environmental Management & Sustainability)
Deakin University
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"Mark demonstrated an exemplary ability in leadership and communication, and in maintaining group moral, in a culturally diverse setting on Deakin’s 2017 Environmental Science Hubei University Study Tour"
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Liz Weldon
Hubei University Environmental Science Study Tour Leader
Deakin University
"One main point is not only would he work with his own team in an assignment, he would also help anyone who had a question and/or needed advice..."
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Gina Handby
Peer student of Environmental Sustainability in Wuhan
Deakin University
Hydrology & Water Resource Management Reference
Hydrology & Water Resource Management
During SLE231 Hydrology and Water Resource Management I utilised my teamwork skills to help our group achieve exceptional team results for assessing waterway health and formulating management plans. I used effective intercultural communication in our diverse team of students from Deakin University and Hubei University to achieve clear understanding between team members. I provided constructive feedback to improve our teamwork and efficiency over the project.
"Mark is a very good communicator. He always provides useful ideas during team discussion and task allocation."
"Mark is an excellent team member who commits to completing his team project work and understands how to break tasks down into smaller elements in order to plan well."
"Mark is a very good team member to work with, he always provide useful ideas for the group assignment."
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Anonymous team member feedback (SPARK+)
Environmental Team Based Research
Team Based Research Reference
During SLE226 Team Based Research teamwork skills were essential in completing environmental research in the field and communicating our scientific findings. I used my strong interest and positive attitude to inspire others in and out of the field. I contributed encouragement and giving constructive feedback to enhance our teamwork ability. I also provided new ideas to enhance our project.
"Mark was always positive and worked hard both in the field and when creating the poster. He worked productively and always contributed. His positive attitude in the group meetings always ensured a good vibe in the group."
"Very good communication skills in a team setting. Will listen to other ideas before offering a different viewpoint that would add on to those ideas or provide a good idea in turn."
Anonymous team member feedback
Congratulations!
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You have completed your journey through my Teamwork Hallmark application. Now the rest is up to you.
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If you have any questions please contact me by email to the email address below (click icon):
Mark Bremner
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