Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia
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* HERDSA Blog Post: Compassion in higher education: A call to arms
* HERDSA Community: Translating Research, Leading Change – A Global Academic’s Journey
* HERDSA National Webinar: Ethical Augmentation: Educator-Led AI in Assessment
* Looking for support with your SoTL project? Want to gain traction or impact? Drop in and join me for a coffee and to chat SoTL
* Remembering Bob Ross, HERDSA President 1976-1977
* THE Campus Live ANZ 2025, Christchurch, New Zealand
* Join the HERDSA Assessment Quality SIG on LinkedIn
* CRADLE webinar series: New Directions in AI Research and Practice - 'Student perspectives on AI in higher education'
* Call for Chapter Proposals / EOIs - International Higher Education in Transition
* Workshop: PhD by publication, prior publication and creative works: Publishing Pathways and Avoiding Potholes
* 2025 CRADLE International Symposium: Expert panel - 'Assessment design in higher ed: Changing practices for a world with AI'
* STEM educators- help disseminating a survey
* Research Participants Needed for Project on Capacity Building University Staff to Support Grieving Students
* New articles in Higher Education Research and Development
To submit an announcement for this list complete the online form at http://herdsa.org.au/herdsa-notices
A full list of HERDSA Notices is online at http://www.herdsa.org.au/latest-news
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HERDSA Blog Post: Compassion in higher education: A call to arms
Kathryn Waddington & Bryan Bonaparte, 20 August 2025
Kathryn and Bryan challenge us to consider the roll of compassion in higher education, while highlighting the need to create compassionate learning environments.
Read more: https://herdsa.org.au/herdsa-connect/compassion-higher-education-call-arms
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HERDSA Community: Translating Research, Leading Change – A Global Academic’s Journey
HERDSA International Academics SIG, 18 August, 2025
Linda Ng summarises the key takeaways from Professor Francis Lin’s presentation about her journey from China to first becoming a student and then an academic in Australia. Linda was reminded by France's journey that growth as an academic was not only about career progression but also about reflection, connection, and resilience that can be transformed through the power of mentoring.
Read more: https://herdsa.org.au/news/translating-research-leading-change-global-ac...
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HERDSA National Webinar: Ethical Augmentation: Educator-Led AI in Assessment
Friday, 22 August 2025, 12.00–1.00pm AEST
HERDSA Queensland Branch warmly invites you to our August Coffee Catch-Up this Friday, now presented as a HERDSA National Webinar.
Join Dr Nicole Brownlie for a practical, values-led conversation on Ethical Augmentation—Educator-Led AI in Assessment. Explore how educators can use AI to enhance assessment design, feedback, and moderation—while safeguarding professional judgement, integrity, and student trust.
Nicole will share insights from research and practice, including take-away examples, guardrails, and quick wins you can apply right away.
Date: Friday, 22 August 2025
Time: 12.001.00 pm AEST
Register (free): https://unisq.zoom.us/meeting/register/17mJSw09ROW5a5_acPgzUw
All higher-ed educators, learning designers, professional staff, and ECRs welcome — bring a colleague!
Further information: For more information, contact HERDSA Queensland at herdsaqueensland@gmail.com
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Looking for support with your SoTL project? Want to gain traction or impact? Drop in and join me for a coffee and to chat SoTL
Every Tuesday fortnight 12-12:45 pm AEST (QLD time)- Next Drop In's 26/8, 9/9, 23/9
Are you interested in SoTL? Not sure where to start? Do you have an idea but need guidance on progressing it? Then join me for a coffee and to chat SoTL.
Use this time to explore a new idea or to develop a potential SoTL project; discuss a hurdle that’s blocking the progress of your SoTL project, chat about how to disseminate key insights from your SoTL study through a publication, blog, or conference presentation, or maybe explore a different methodological approach for exploring a SoTL phenomenon. Assoc Prof. Alice Brown (#HERDSA Executive and Lead for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning - SoTL modules and New Scholars) is organising fortnightly drop-in sessions to help navigate the world of SoTL. Whether you're new to SoTL or looking for ways to publish your research, these sessions are for you. Grab your coffee and drop in for some valuable insights and discussions. See you there!
Further information: Contact Alice Brown (Alice.Brown@unisq.edu.au) - Coffee Chat Zoom link - https://unisq.zoom.us/j/559083948
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Remembering Bob Ross, HERDSA President 1976-1977
30 August, 2025
It is with great sadness that we inform the higher education community of the passing of Bob Ross, a much-loved and respected past HERDSA President, Executive member, and HERDSA Conference convener.
Bob Ross was one of Griffith University’s earliest appointments when he was invited back to Australia from the Open University in 1974. Bob was an advocate for enhancing learning and teaching through curriculum development and evaluation, an approach he championed as the foundation Director of Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching at Griffith. He described the experience of being part of a planning group in the early days of the university as "...exciting when you are exploring new things that nobody knows how to solve".
Bob joined HERDSA soon after returning to Australia and became the recently formed Society's third HERDSA President in 1976. This was the early stages of HERDSA when it was still working out how it could connect with members and Bob remained on the HERDSA Executive another 2 years after serving as HERDSA President.
Bob was a regular at HERDSA Conferences, even after becoming a Pro-Vice Chancellor in 1978 and he convened the HERDSA Conference at Griffith University in 1990. He had a keen and critical mind, and relished opportunities to debate ways to improve students experiences of teaching. He was sceptical of the value of student surveys and university's adoption of performance indicators which he felt stifled teaching innovation.
Bob is remembered as someone who was thoughtful, enthusiastic, who enjoyed a good time, and didn't mind stirring people up. Bob's life will be celebrated at a grand farewell function at Lillifield hall, Wadesville, NSW on Saturday August 30th. 2025.
You can read more about Bob Ross’ life and career in an obituary written by Lee Andresen on the HERDSA web site at https://herdsa.org.au/news/remembering-bob-ross
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THE Campus Live ANZ 2025, Christchurch, New Zealand
2–3 September 2025
The fifth edition of THE Campus Live ANZ is coming to Christchurch, New Zealand, from 2-3 September 2025.
Theme: Local roots to global reach: Shaping ANZ universities’ future
Hosted in partnership with the University of Canterbury, the event will be a cornerstone for higher education leaders across Australia and New Zealand to deliver and discover actionable solutions for adapting to new realities and redefining success through innovation in teaching, operational technology, international student success and creating global impact through research.
At a time of significant policy reform, funding challenges and evolving expectations from cost-conscious learners, THE Campus Live ANZ 2025 is where you and your institution can discover new strategies and redefine success.
Agenda themes for 2025 include:
• Equitable teaching, learning and student support
• Global impact and modern international strategies
Join us to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of higher education in the region and beyond.
HERDSA Members can get an exclusive 30% discount. Reach out to Office@HERDSA.org.au to secure your discounted tickets!
Further information: https://www.timeshighered-events.com/live-anz-2025/home
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Join the HERDSA Assessment Quality SIG on LinkedIn
The HERDSA Assessment Quality SIG LinkedIn group is now live and open to both HERDSA members and non-members. This new space will connect colleagues, share resources, and promote events on assessment and feedback in higher education.
Join here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14777610/
Please note: the current Facebook group will close at the end of this month.
Further information: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14777610/
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CRADLE webinar series: New Directions in AI Research and Practice - 'Student perspectives on AI in higher education'
Friday 29 August 2025 - 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm (AEST)
While much of the debate about AI in higher education continues to focus on institutional policies and concerns for academic integrity, less attention has been paid to the stories of students themselves. What motivates students to use or avoid GenAI? How do they weigh risks and benefits? What tensions do they grapple with as they integrate these technologies into their studies?
Facilitated by CRADLE's Dr Jack Walton, this panel will feature researchers from the "AI in Higher Education" project: a large multi-institutional collaboration established in 2024 with the aim of foregrounding the student voice on AI. Reflecting on the work of the project to date, the panel will discuss what has been learned so far about students' perspectives and practices for studying in a world where AI has become commonplace. The panel will discuss key findings emerging from the project to consider implications for higher education learning and teaching, and directions that research and practice need to take next.
Join us online for the first webinar in CRADLE's New Directions in AI Research and Practice series.
Panellists
• Professor Kelly Matthews, Professor of Higher Education, Institute of Teaching and Learning Innovation, University of Queensland
• Associate Professor Tim Fawns, Monash Education Academy, Monash University
• Professor Michael Henderson, Professor of Digital Futures, Director of the Educational Design and Innovation Hub, Faculty of Education, Monash University
• Associate Professor Nicole Pepperell, Teaching & Curriculum Team (TACT), Education Portfolio, University of Technology Sydney
New Directions in AI Research and Practice
As generative artificial intelligence continues to transform higher education, the research landscape has begun to transition from speculative perspectives toward deeper empirical and theoretical insights. This webinar series brings together leading researchers to discuss what is being learned about AI's impact on teaching, learning, and assessment, and to chart pathways forward in both research and practice.
The panels in this series will speak to three critical facets of higher education in a time of AI: how students are working with AI, changing assessment design practices, and assessment security. We hope that you can join us for this series of rich and timely discussions.
Further information: https://student-perspectives-on-ai-in-higher-ed.eventbrite.com.au
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Call for Chapter Proposals / EOIs - International Higher Education in Transition
5 September 2025
The edited volume “International Higher Education in Transition: Innovation, Technology, and Partnerships for a Changing World” is currently under consideration with Edward Elgar Publishing, with strong interest expressed by the commissioning editor.
Proposals of 250–300 words are invited from global scholars, practitioners, and policymakers on how international higher education is transforming through innovation, technology, and partnerships.
EOIs are submitted via email to the Editor, Dr Fiona Tang (fiona.tang@kbs.edu.au) by 5 September 2025.
Further guidelines can be accessed via the link below.
Further information: https://journals.sfu.ca/jalt/index.php/jalt/announcement/view/83
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Workshop: PhD by publication, prior publication and creative works: Publishing Pathways and Avoiding Potholes
9/9/25
PhDs by publication, prior publication or creative works are growing in popularity. So, what do you know about them? In this workshop, you'll be introduced to these types of PhD and learn from experienced academics about ways to navigate these non-traditional degrees. Some topics to be covered:
- Strategies for experienced & new supervisors and PhD students
- How to plan and manage these non-traditional degrees
- What is it like to transition from candidate to supervising these PhDs?
- Collaborative writing experiences
- Community of Practice
- Copyright, predatory publishers & more!
We will end the day with a panel on presenting participatory and collaborative writing experiences.
To attend this event, either face to face in Canberra or online, please register via: http://bit.ly/3UjujTK
Please complete the Pre-reading: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13384-025-00832-6
Further information: http://bit.ly/3UjujTK
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2025 CRADLE International Symposium: Expert panel - 'Assessment design in higher ed: Changing practices for a world with AI'
Wednesday 17 September - 2.30 pm - 4.00 pm (AEST)
This year’s CRADLE International Symposium - ‘Assessment design in higher education: Changing practices for a world with AI’ - seeks to draw from theory and empirical research to unpack the broad range of contentions emerging about AI and assessment in higher education. As a pivotal highlight of the Symposium program we are pleased to invite you to an interactive public panel event.
Designing university assessment to account for the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has proved to be difficult and contentious. Across the globe, many academics are making claims that assessment designs and systems need to be completely reconsidered. But the fundamentals of assessment in terms of its purposes may still hold true and many of the problems that are faced in implementing new regimes are challenges that already existed. So what, if anything, has changed? What are the tensions that continue to bedevil us? What conceptual or theoretical framings help us make sense of the things that change and the things that stay the same?
Facilitated by CRADLE’s Professor Phillip Dawson, this panel discussion will feature a national and international cast of eminent higher education assessment researchers. The panel will reflect on the discussions held throughout the symposium and offer potential directions for future research in the intersections between university assessment and AI.
Panellists
• Professor Jason Lodge, Director of the Learning, Instruction, and Technology Lab and Professor of Educational Psychology, School of Education, The University of Queensland
• Assistant Professor Jiahui (Jess) Luo, Faculty of Education and Human Development, the Education University of Hong Kong
• Professor Jan McArthur, Professor in Higher Education and Social Justice and Head of Department in the Department of Educational Research, Lancaster University
• Associate Professor Nicole Pepperell, Teaching & Curriculum Team (TACT), Education Portfolio, University of Technology Sydney
Join us in person at Deakin Downtown or online for the second seminar in CRADLE's New Directions in AI Research and Practice series
Further information: https://assessment-design-in-higher-ed-changing-practices-ai.eventbrite....
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STEM educators- help disseminating a survey
How do undergraduate STEM students feel about forming their professional identity and self directed learning in their degrees?
If you teach STEM undergrads and would be willing to share a survey with your students, please email Stacey Carter for the recruitment info and survey link. Any help with this important research is greatly appreciated!
Further information: stacey.carter@curtin.edu.au
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Research Participants Needed for Project on Capacity Building University Staff to Support Grieving Students
Help shape better responses to student bereavement!
We are seeking academic and professional university staff to take part in a research study aimed at identifying best
practices, challenges, and beliefs around responding to students who disclose a bereavement.
Interviews will be approximately 60 minutes via MS Teams, and you will be emailed a gift voucher for your time.
Please email ashton.hay@curtin.edu.au to set up an interview and/or daniel.rudaizky@curtin.edu.au, lauren.breen@curtin.edu.au if you have any questions.
This study has been approved by Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HRE2025-0386)
Further information: ashton.hay@curtin.edu.au
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New articles in Higher Education Research and Development
Prepare engage process action (PEPA): a co-designed approach to integrating consumer feedback during placements, Thomas Bevitt, Louise Bannister, Silvia Gonzalez, Zara Daniells, Robert B. Pereira, Rachel Bacon & Stephen Isbel, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2025.2541648
Disrupting colonial legacies in higher education: power, language, and identity in South African ODL curriculum, Julliet Munyaradzi & Aras Bozkurt, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2025.2543417
Wandering into the weeds or planting seeds? Balancing depth and breadth in early and late career research, Hanna Mytsyk & Yana Suchikova, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2025.2543411
Reflections on academic austerity in the neoliberal university, Navé Wald, Tony Harland & Katia Caballero, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2025.2541639
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In the spirit of reconciliation HERDSA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australasia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.