Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia
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* HERDSA Connect: From Personal Virtue to Structural Practice: Reframing Kindness in Higher Education
* HERDSA Online Engagement in Higher Education SIG Webinar
* The Belonging and Wellbeing Special Interest Group Meeting 27/8/26, 12-1pm (AEST)
* Upcoming Re-Igniting and Release of the HERDSA SoTL Modules
* 50% Student & Research Registration – Australian Universal Wellbeing Symposium 2026
* CSHE Symposium: Education, Employability and Professional Agility
* Call for submissions to a study looking at curriculum design processes in the contemporary Australian higher education context
* 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 Connect: From Personal Virtue to Structural Practice: Reframing Kindness in Higher Education
Rachel M. Campbell, 5 August 2026
Rachel explores a system for kindness at universities, which centres around assessment design, feedback & communication.
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HERDSA Online Engagement in Higher Education SIG Webinar
Thursday 13 August
The HERDSA Online Engagement in Higher Education SIG is hosting a Lightning Talk Webinar on Thursday 13 August at 12:30pm AEST.
Presentations will include:
Rachel Campbell - University of Canberra
Students aren’t disengaged, they’re disorientated: rethinking online engagement
Natalie Warburton - Murdoch University
Bespoke, relevant, and inclusive self-paced, online modules to build tertiary mathematics engagement and confidence
Elizabeth Goode - Southern Cross University
Supporting underrecognised students online: Raising success for all through focused, guided and active learning
Please register via the link provided and you will be sent a calendar invite and Zoom link.
Further information: https://forms.gle/oSQxpGEAi6vidiSw9
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The Belonging and Wellbeing Special Interest Group Meeting 27/8/26, 12-1pm (AEST)
27th August, 2026. 12-1pm (AEST)
After a busy few months and the completion of another inspiring HERDSA Conference, we're looking forward to reconnecting with our SIG community and warmly welcoming the many new members who have recently joined us. Our August meeting will be an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from across Australia, share highlights and reflections from the HERDSA Conference, and continue building a collaborative community focused on enhancing student belonging, wellbeing, and engagement.
We look forward to reconnecting with you and continuing the conversation about creating learning environments where every student feels they belong and can thrive.
Date: Wednesday 27 August
Time: 12.00–1.00 pm (AEST)
Please register at the zoom link below:
https://adelaide.zoom.us/meeting/register/SiX7yLf5Sge9zKa1LcsIEg
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Upcoming Re-Igniting and Release of the HERDSA SoTL Modules
Monday August 10th, 2026
Great news!!! We are very excited to share the news that the HERDSA SoTL Modules will be ready for members to access again very soon on a brand-new Moodle platform - Available from Friday, August 7th, 2026.
Our team have been busy behind the scenes making sure that all content and activities in the 10 HERDSA Modules are functioning and working well on the new Moodle platform, with a range of additional great features and interactivity.
The 10 modules have been specifically designed for the HERDSA community. The modules are relevant for national and international scholars, acting as a capacity-building resource to assist in developing and refining SoTL knowledge and skills.
Overview of the Modules:
1. Introducing SoTL – Explore its purpose and value in higher education.
2. Becoming an Evidence-Based Educator – Ground your practice in research.
3. Foundations of Producing SoTL – Scope and project planning.
4. SoTL Research Methods – Action research, surveys, observations, interviews, and more (with a new section on Ethical considerations for SoTL projects).
5. Designing your SoTL project – From concept to plan.
6. Theoretical frameworks in SoTL – Making your thinking visible.
7. From vision to reality – Developing an armoury of tools for engaging in SoTL research.
8. Analysing & Interpreting Data – Turn raw data into meaningful insights.
9. Disseminating SoTL findings
10.Enhancing the impact of your SoTL research
Each module takes you through four phases of learning—Discover, Explore, Engage, Connect—with opportunities to dive deeper if you choose.
**A reminder that the HERDSA SoTL Modules are free and a significant benefit for HERDSA financial members and can be accessed by logging into the HERDSA website and then into MY DASHBOARD link.
For non HERDSA members interested in the HERDSA SoTL Modules please enquire at https://forms.office.com/r/qtb6nfxqAd
For more details on the HERDSA SoTL Modules click this link - https://herdsa.org.au/news/herdsa-sotl-modules-setting-bar-world-standar...
Further information: Contact Alice.Brown@unisq.edu.au
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50% Student & Research Registration – Australian Universal Wellbeing Symposium 2026
27–28 August 2026
Students, postgraduate researchers and early career researchers are invited to attend the Australian Universal Wellbeing Symposium 2026, taking place on 27–28 August 2026 at the Novotel Brisbane Airport.
The symposium brings together researchers, educators, health professionals and policymakers to explore evidence-informed approaches to prevention, Universal Wellbeing and public health through keynote presentations, interactive workshops and collaborative discussions.
A 50% Student & Research Registration is available for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students, Master's and PhD candidates, research assistants, early career researchers and professionals undertaking postgraduate study.
Student & Research Registration: NZD $347.50 + GST (Standard Registration: NZD $695 + GST).
Places are limited and eligibility verification is required.
Further information: https://www.freedom-ihe.ac.nz/freedom-wellbeing-store/p/student-research...
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CSHE Symposium: Education, Employability and Professional Agility
Tuesday 8 September, 10.00am-2.30pm AEST
How can universities prepare graduates for an uncertain future?
Hear from our keynote speaker Professor Ruth Bridgstock (Swinburne University of Technology) on the capabilities students need to thrive and how universities can adapt to support their success amid technological, economic, social and environmental transformation.
The keynote and panel sessions (10.00am-12.00pm AEST) will be livestreamed via Zoom.
Register today!
Further information: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/uzk2
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Call for submissions to a study looking at curriculum design processes in the contemporary Australian higher education context
A study looking at curriculum design processes in the contemporary Australian higher education context is underway. Our goal is to better understand (and eventually improve) the process of designing curriculum. We’d be grateful for your participation and support in sharing the invitation to participate with colleagues and peers in your institution or broader networks.
We’re keen to hear from people in all kinds of roles, at both university and non-university providers: learning designers, librarians, alumni engagement officers, folks in marketing and student recruitment, program admins, technical staff, leaders and (of course) teaching academics.
You can access the survey online at https://griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bq0tjMEHK3xzAmG or feel free to reach out directly for opportunities to contribute via group or individual interviews.
Further information: Julie Robert, j.robert@griffith.edu.au or Peter Kandlbinder, Peter.Kandlbinder@uts.edu.au
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New articles in Higher Education Research and Development
Industry mentors in WIL assessment: revealing systemic contradictions through CHAT, Anthony Friel, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2026.2708297
Contribution of resilience processes to better-than-expected outcomes among at-risk university students in Southern Africa: a scoping review, Judith M. Reynolds & Adrian D. van Breda, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2026.2708293
(Re)constructing science educator identity through teaching: perceptions and experiences from science academics in higher education, Linlin Xu, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2026.2708986
https://www.linkedin.com/company/herdjournal
https://bsky.app/profile/herdjournal.bsky.social
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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.