Kathryn Hardwick-Franco

Kathryn Hardwick-Franco
Bachelor of Arts 1993, Grad Dip Ed 1994, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) 1996, Master of Music 2010

Kathryn Hardwick-Franco earned her first four degrees from the University of Adelaide. She and her husband met through enrollment in the Bachelor of Arts, her two daughters are both studying double-degrees at the university. The university is important to Kathryn's family. While studying her Master of Music, Kathryn presented her research at state, national and international academic conferences, enabling her to connect with scholars across the globe. University education and networking has empowered Kathryn in her work as a high school teacher.

Most recently, Kathryn completed a PhD, linking her research with her life in rural Eyre Peninsula. Her PhD examines the nexus between rurality, rural educational leadership and the impacts of climate change, resultant refugees, neo-liberal capitalism, the environment and cultural diversity. Kathryn’s election platform pledged her to volunteer with the alumni network, encouraging the university to divest from fossil fuels, support rural, remote, regional Australia, with the view to ensuring the credibility of the parchments held by the alumni of the University of Adelaide.