Larissa Sexton-Finck

Larissa Sexton-Finck

Dr

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0356-1482

  • The University of Western Australia (M257), 35 Stirling Highway,

    6009 Perth

    Australia

Personal profile

Biography

Dr Larissa Sexton-Finck is Deputy Head of the School of Social Sciences at UWA, a senior lecturer in Media and Communication, and an award-winning short filmmaker and digital storyteller. With over two decades of teaching experience, she specialises in Digital Storytelling, Screenwriting, Filmmaking, Strategic Communication, and Creative Production at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has supervised numerous Honours and Masters students and is also an experienced examiner.

Larissa strongly believes that mainstream stories and representations act as mediating principles in Western culture’s visioning of human agency and the Self and (re)organise the identity politics and power structures of society. Her current research interests include narrative reframing, creative analytical practice (CAP) ethnography, feminist film, and storytelling for impact. 

As Deputy Head of School (Education), Larissa leads the School of Social Sciences' large and diverse learning and teaching portfolio. She specialises in learning and teaching excellence through research-informed, multimodal approaches to pedagogical innovation and curriculum design, with a focus on enhancing student engagement and fostering transformative learning experiences.

Roles & Responsibilities

Deputy Head of School (Education), School of Social Sciences (2022-current)

Course Coordinator, Bachelor of Media and Communication, School of Social Sciences (2025-current)

Academic Director, Multimedia Centre FAHSS (2010-2012)

Board, Committee & Panel Roles

  • School of Social Sciences’ Board of Studies – Chair
  • School of Social Sciences’ Board of Examiners – Chair/Member
  • School of Social Sciences’ School Board – Member
  • University Learning and Teaching (ULTC) Committee – Member
  • Society and Culture Board of Studies – Member
  • University Review of Assessment Working Group (RAWG) - Member
  • University Review of Unit Coordinator Role Description Working Party – Member
  • Bachelor of Arts Steering Group - Member
  • Specialised Bachelor Media and Communication Working Party - Chair & Program Coordinator
  • Specialised Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability Working Party - Member
  • University Cohort Monitoring Steering Group - Member
  • Selection Committee School of Social Sciences' Excellence in Teaching Awards - Chair
  • Selection Committee University Excellence in Teaching Awards – Invited Member
  • Academy Fellowship Scheme of the Higher Education Academy - Assessor

Grants, Awards & Nominations and Professional Development

  • Aurora - HE Leadership Development for Women Australia, Advance HE (2024)
  • UWA Early and Mid-Career Researchers Network Symposium (2024) - Speaker 
  • Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme,
    University of Oxford - Said Business School (
  • Senior Fellowship SFHEA - Academy Fellowship Scheme of the Higher Education Academy (2023)
  • Social Sciences Teaching Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, Team Award, Media and Communication Discipline, nominee (2021)
  • Social Sciences Teaching Excellence Award for Programs that Enhance Learning, Team Award, Media and Communication Discipline, nominee (2021)
  • FABLE Faculty Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence, nominee (2020)
  • FAHSS Faculty Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence, Team Teaching - Academic Director of the Multimedia Centre, Award Recipient (2012)
  • FAHSS Faculty Service Award for Outstanding Service to Student Learning - Academic Director of the Multimedia Centre, nominee (2012)
  • FAHSS Faculty Teaching Service Award in the area of Teaching Excellence, University of Western Australia - Academic Director of the Multimedia Centre, nominee (2011)
  • Australian Teachers of Media Awards (ATOM), Melbourne, Best Tertiary Production, One Split Second, 10 min Drama, co-producer/script editor, nominee (2012)
  • Australian Teachers of Media Awards (ATOM), Melbourne, Best Tertiary Production, Bigger than My Boots, 10 min Documentary, co-producer/script editor, nominee (2011)
  • Western Australian Screen Awards, Best Screenplay, Bigger than My Boots, 10 min Documentary, co-producer/script editor, nominee (2010)
  • National Australia Bank Schools First Grant Award $100,000, Team Award Recipient (Redcliffe Primary School) Writer/Director: Digital Story for application (2009)
  • Screenwest New Screenwriters Grant Recipient ($5,000) Feature Film Script, Float (2005)
  • Independent Spirit Award at the Lexus Independent Film (IF) Awards Sydney, finalist (2003)
  • Young Filmmaker of the Year - Western Australian Screen Awards, nominee (2002)
  • National Student Film & Video Festival, Sydney, Best Production, writer/director, finalist (2002)

UWA Teaching Overview

Undergraduate Unit Coordination:

  • COMM1004: Storytelling Across Media Industries
  • COMM1901: Communication in Practice
  • COMM1002: Cultures, New Media and Communications
  • COMM2002: Digital Media  
  • COMM3002: Media Production Project
  • SOCS4101: Advanced Theory in Social Sciences
  • SOCS4140: Honours Dissertation 1
  • SOCS4141: Honours Dissertation 2

Transnational Coordination: Hong Kong/Singapore

  • COMM2002: Digital Media
  • COMM3002: Media Production Project

Postgraduate Unit Coordination: 

  • COMM4106: iGeneration
  • COMM5104: Public Communication
  • COMM5701: Strategic Communications in a Digital Era
  • COMM5702: Digital Media: Theory and Creative Practice

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  2. SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    SDG 5 Gender Equality

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