On Thursday 20 November 2025, the HERDSA Online Engagement in Higher Education SIG convened the final event for the year (facilitated by Dr Hilary Ng and Associate Professor Alice Brown). A team of researchers [Associate Professor Alice Brown (University of Southern Queensland), Professor Pushpa Sinnayah (Victoria University), Professor Nayana Parange (University of South Australia), & Professor Jill Lawrence (University of Southern Queensland)], started by sharing key insights from an innovative project that employed think tank methodology, where online teaching and equity experts were invited to contribute their insights to the question ‘What would an increase in online enrolments of underrepresented students mean for the online teaching and engagement strategies we currently employ?’

The innovative methodological approach of think tanks was adopted to harness different disciplinary perspectives, advancing knowledge and influencing policy and practice related to widening the door to underrepresented students. The data was collected using an adapted World Café for online use, featuring three cycles of breakout room discussions guided by specific questions, including: "If Australian higher education was wildly successful in creating transformative and engaging online education for underrepresented students, what would be possible?". Sessions were recorded, and transcripts underwent thematic analyses.

Findings revealed 5 key themes related to ‘ways to think about’ and ‘think differently’ about supporting underrepresented online students – Transformation, Diversity, Belonging and Connectedness, Pedagogy, and Implementation. The implications extend beyond individual teaching practice to encompass the structure of online engagement, learning environments, and institutional policies. The five themes are outlined in detail below:

Participants of the presentation were then invited to contribute to a shared document on implications for online practice, policy, institutions, and future research. Key points included:

Centering Student Voice and Cultural Knowledge

Associate Syme suggested that international and culturally diverse students could facilitate their own "world café" sessions, transforming the deficit model into an assets-based framework where cultural expertise constitutes valuable intellectual resources.

Interrogating Digital Literacy Assumptions

Anna Wardle observed: "So many assumptions around digital literacy for everyone involved." This opened discussion about unexamined presumptions regarding technological competencies. Institutions increasingly mandate online delivery without corresponding professional development, creating situations where under-supported educators teach under-prepared students. Institutional policy must address this gap by providing staff with resources and time for mandatory training and competency development in online tools

Pedagogical Principles Across Modalities

Byron Coonerty articulated: "Good teaching is good teaching in every context." This positions modality as a variable within consistent educational principles rather than requiring entirely separate frameworks for online education.

Cross-Institutional and International Perspectives

Hilary Ng noted similarities between Australian and Hong Kong contexts, suggesting that belonging and digital access challenges transcend national boundaries. This enables researchers to adopt a global or transnational approach. Participants represented diverse institutions and disciplines.

Future Directions

Alice Brown highlighted connections to the redeveloped HERDSA SoTL Modules and the Wellbeing and Belonging SIG, suggesting opportunities for integrated research. The field requires more rigorous investigation of how online environments can center belonging and connection as fundamental conditions for learning. Future research must prioritise gathering more student voices from diverse groups. It should also expand success definitions to characterise positive impacts on students’ families and communities, not just individual achievement.

View the presentation on HERDSA YouTube: https://youtu.be/_cj4z3pwYqw

Dr Hilary Ng (Hong Kong Metropolitan University)

Associate Professor Alice Brown (School of Education, University of Southern Queensland).

Note: This presentation reflects the contribution of a number of colleagues and co-researchers -  Associate Professor Alice Brown (The University of Southern Queensland); Associate Professor Christopher Fisher (Victoria University); Associate Professor Jay Cohen (The University of Adelaide); Professor Pushpa Sinnaya (Victoria University); Professor Jill Lawrence (The University of Southern Queensland); Professor Nayana Parange   (UniSA); Associate Professor Cathy Stone (Conjoint A/Prof University of Newcastle); and Dr Megan Kimber (The University of Southern Queensland), Dr Sarah Frankland (The University of Melbourne).

Join the Conversation

We invite HERDSA members and colleagues across the sector to engage with the Online Engagement in Higher Education SIG. Whether working with distance learners, blended programs, or online adaptations of face-to-face courses, your insights and experiences contribute to our collective capacity to create meaningful learning experiences.