Activity: Engagement and professional development › Content creation/delivery › Academic
Description
Engagement of International Equine Science specialist Dr David Marlin, world-renowned equine physiologist, joined the entire BES cohort (full time and part time students, studying online and on campus) to inform them about his work at the 2020((21) Olympics as a senior Olympics equestrian technical delegate. He discussed his critically important work in managing the elite horses in challenging climatic conditions - engaging the students testing their existing knowledge around core principles of thermoregulation through to horse behaviour, welfare and rider psychology. He also provided a 'walk around' providing the CSU students with unprecedented 'first hand, albeit on screen, view of the facilities and courses at the Olympics0. This delivery was in the run up period just before the competition classes formally commenced. As subject coordinator and CSU lecturer I tagged team with David to fully engage the students. We then arranged a follow up 3 weeks later after his duties at the Olympics had finished, where he reflected on outcomes and the student contributed to brain storming future approaches to horse wellbeing and performance related issues using the evidence-based information and practical skills they have acquired whilst studying B.Eq.Sci at CSU. This outcomes of this activity was shared with a closed UK based Equine Science student network so its impacts were far reaching. Also very good to note that Australian students were at the forefront, when equine welfare in Australia is a little behind that in many other places e.g. UK, Europe.