Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia
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* HERDSA Blog Post: The Secret to Student Satisfaction is Engagement: Key Strategies for Educators
* HERDSA Community: Submitting an Abstract to HERDSA 2025
* You are invited to the HERDSA International Academics SIG
* HERDSA SoTL SIG - February 2025 meeting - Next Friday! --- Strengthening SoTL through theory, methodology and reflexivity
* HERDSA Executive Nominations 2025
* Call for nominations for HERDSA Life Memberships
* HERDSA GRANTS 2025 now open
* Seeking experienced online teachers to support a HERDSA project on engagement strategies valued by students
* Call for proposals: Educational Measurement and Assessment Symposium
* Live comedy show on AI and education featuring Prof Jason Lodge
* Call for Submissions: 2025 Students as Partners Roundtable
* CRADLE Seminar Series - Programmatic Assessment: Insights from Theory and Practice
* Web4All 2025 - Accessible Employment
* Urgent Call: Participant Volunteers in a UNE PhD Study Investigating how academics use workplace technology for resilience
* New online first 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
Unsubscribe or change your email details at http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/herdsa
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HERDSA Blog Post: The Secret to Student Satisfaction is Engagement: Key Strategies for Educators
Pam Draganovic, Jessica Gill, & Laura Petridis, 12 February 2025
Pam Draganovic, Jessica Gill, & Laura Petridis outline several useful strategies for boosting students satisfaction through increasing engagement.
Read more: https://herdsa.org.au/herdsa-connect/secret-student-satisfaction-engagem...
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HERDSA Community: Submitting an Abstract to HERDSA 2025
HERDSA Workshop, 23 January 2025
Manisha Thakkar shares the workshop highlights, key takeaways, and recording from the recent HERDSA Workshop on submitting an abstract to HERDSA 2025.
Read more: https://herdsa.org.au/news/herdsa-workshop-submitting-abstract-herdsa-2025
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You are invited to the HERDSA International Academics SIG
19th February 2025 (Wednesday) 4-5pm AEST
Do you identify as an international academic working in Australia or a country away from your home country? If yes, you are invited to join the HERDSA International Academics Special Interest Group (SIG), a supportive group that explores professional identities, career progression and opportunities for collaboration.
Join our first SIG meeting to
- Learn about the SIG
- Identifying common areas of interest and research
- Brainstorming potential collaborative projects
Date: 19th February 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 4-5pm AEST
Online: https://unisq.zoom.us/j/5772887515?omn=81883667361&from=addon
Please also kindly forward this invitation to your networks of international academics.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Further information: mei.li1@jcu.edu.au
Further information: https://unisq.zoom.us/j/5772887515?omn=81883667361&from=addon
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HERDSA SoTL SIG - February 2025 meeting - Next Friday! --- Strengthening SoTL through theory, methodology and reflexivity
Friday, 21 February 2025, 12.00–1.00 pm AEDT (NSW/VIC time)/11.00 am–12.00 pm AEST (QLD time)
Welcome back to the HERDSA SoTL SIG for 2025! Our first SIG meeting will set us up for the year with an accessible understanding of SoTL methodologies and key SoTL thoughts. Come along and find out more!
Topic: Strengthening SoTL through theory, methodology and reflexivity
Presenter: Dr Juan Fischer (University of Melbourne)
Date: Friday, 21 February 2025
Time: 12.00–1.00 pm AEDT (NSW/VIC time)/11.00 am–12.00 pm AEST (QLD time)
In February’s SIG meeting, we will discuss some examples of how theories and methodologies are used in education research. Exploring the role of theory, methodology, and reflexivity in SoTL, Juan will help you unpack these concepts and translate them into your context.
Dr Juan Fischer is an education researcher and academic developer focused on areas of curriculum and assessment, and has extensive experience in qualitative research and practice theories.
Zoom registration link: https://unisq.zoom.us/meeting/register/rT5UexjmRfCDHWnCrZb1zQ
Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14343410/
Further information: Please feel free to contact the HERDSA SoTL SIG at herdsa.sotl.sig@gmail.com
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HERDSA Executive Nominations 2025
Nominations close at 5.00 pm AEDT on 7th March 2025
This is a call for nominations for HERDSA Executive positions for the period July 2025 to July 2027.
The current HERDSA Executive will complete a two-year term at the end of June 2025 and all positions (except the President) are therefore declared vacant. In calling for nominations, the Society is looking to achieve leadership in Higher Education in Australasia and certain balances of representation on the Executive, as well as an enthusiastic preparedness to contribute.
Being on the HERDSA Executive requires a commitment of time. In addition, it requires a basic understanding of organisational governance. The role of the executive is to determine HERDSA’s strategic directions and to administer member funds for member benefit.
The closing date for nominations is 5:00pm AEST Friday 7th March 2025. Nine Executive positions are available and should there be more than 9 nominations received there will be an election conducted online.
Further information including position descriptions are online.
Further information: https://herdsa.org.au/executive-nomination-information
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Call for nominations for HERDSA Life Memberships
10th March 2025
HERDSA life Members are individuals who have made a substantial, prolonged contribution to HERDSA through their service to the Society and/or have made a distinguished contribution to higher education. We are pleased to count many significant contributors in our list of life members (http://herdsa.org.au/content/life-members).
The HERSDA Executive is now calling for nominations for new life members. The Executive will review nominations and elect up to two new life members who will be recognised at the 2025 conference.
To nominate an outstanding individual for HERDSA Life Membership, please forward a short statement detailing the following:
• Name and Email of Nominee
• Name and Email of Proposer
• Statement of outstanding Contribution to HERDSA and/or higher education (approx. 500 words)
Please forward to office@herdsa.org.au by Monday 10th March 2025
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HERDSA GRANTS 2025 now open
Closing 14th March 2025
HERDSA offers grants to HERDSA members to fund research and/or development projects on teaching and learning in higher education that directly align to the mission of HERDSA. In the 2025 round, up to six grants of AUD$5000 each, plus gst are available. Priority for one grant will be given to applicants identifying as Indigenous/First Nations (e.g., Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori or Pacific Nations).
Applications close on 14th March 2025. Successful applicants will be informed at the end of May 2025. Grant applicants have one year to complete their projects. Grant progress reports are due end of January 2026 and final reports at the end of June 2026.
For detailed information see the guidelines document on the HERDSA website https://herdsa.org.au/herdsa-grants-scheme
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Seeking experienced online teachers to support a HERDSA project on engagement strategies valued by students
To all experienced online teachers and engagement experts in Higher Education, we are currently seeking your assistance in a research project (HERDSA grant 2024) to investigate students' perceptions of their most valued course (subject) specific online engagement strategies. These are strategies that teachers include as part of their online learning environment to support student learning (such as discussion forums; social forums and introductions; Padlets, eBooks, online tutorials, team activities, badges, personal communications, weekly announcements and nudges, collaborative/peer activities and opportunities to learn with others, short recordings and digital media and videos, stop and think activities, online whiteboard, guest speakers, providing explicit expectations about learning and ways of working, …..and many more).
If you are a strong online teacher or know of an uber teacher who strongly engages students online, then please contact us. The research team are eager to hear from your students about their experiences of online engagement in your course. We are interested in learning more about the strategies your students found useful in helping them feel part of the subject.
Further information: Alice.Brown@unisq.edu.au
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Call for proposals: Educational Measurement and Assessment Symposium
20 February 2025
Proposals for presentations at the one-day Sydney Educational Measurement and Assessment Symposium are now open, closing 20 February 2025.
Presentation formats are individual papers, posters, roundtables, and symposia.
The central purpose of symposium is to bring together people from a range of communities, settings, and traditions to present and discuss research.
We envisage receiving proposals from those employed in the school sector, higher education sector, VET sector, government, and industry.
Measurement topics could include for example school improvement and effectiveness, program evaluation, large-scale assessments, test creation, race and educational measurement validity, psychometrics, measuring 21st century skills, evidence-informed teaching and learning, educational measurement at a national/state/province/sector level.
Assessment topics could include theory underlying assessment, feedback, formative assessment, automated assessment and AI, authentic assessment, collaborative/group assessment, learning analytics and assessment, equity in assessment, inclusive assessment, policy, assessment and curriculum reform, leading assessment, data literacy, assessment literacy, assessment technology.
The event will be held 21 March 2025, primarily on campus at The University of Sydney, however hybrid presentations are possible.
Queries can be directed to cema@sydney.edu.au
Further information: https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/our-research/centres-institutes-and-group...
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Live comedy show on AI and education featuring Prof Jason Lodge
21 February 7pm
The Peer Revue featuring Professor Jason Lodge
Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin Street, Carlton
Friday 21 February, 7pm
AI has arrived in universities—ready or not. But is it revolutionizing education, or just the latest overhyped panic?
Find out on The Peer Revue, a monthly comedy show where researchers share their work with improvisers, who then turn it into laughter.
For our February show, we’re joined by Professor Jason Lodge. A chef by trade, a psychological scientist by training, and an educator by profession, Jason is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Queensland. Jason is an influential figure in Australian higher education, and has led significant work on AI, such as the 2023 TEQSA-published "Assessment Reform for the Age of Artificial Intelligence".
Expect deep insights, big laughs, and maybe a few unsettling truths about the future of education.
Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.com.au/2025/the-peer-revue/melbourne/carlton
Use code HERDSA for 50% off.
PhD students and university casual staff can email p.dawson@deakin.edu.au for free tickets.
Further information: https://www.eventfinda.com.au/2025/the-peer-revue/melbourne/carlton
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Call for Submissions: 2025 Students as Partners Roundtable
3rd March 2025
Join us for Part 1 of the 2025 Students as Partners (SaP) Roundtable, hosted by the University of Westminster in London on 25–27 June 2025.
This year’s theme explores the intersections of student-staff partnerships and social justice in higher education.
We invite students and staff to submit proposals for papers, panels, and workshops—online or in person. The submission deadline is 3rd March 2025.
The Roundtable is free to attend, with hybrid sessions available. Full details, submission guidelines, and registration are on our website--view the menu by hovering over the text "SaP Roundtable 2025".
We look forward to your participation!
Information on Part 2 is coming mid-year.
Further information: https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/studentpartnership/students-as-partners-r...
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CRADLE Seminar Series - Programmatic Assessment: Insights from Theory and Practice
Thursday 20 March 2025, 10am
CRADLE is pleased to welcome Dr Liesbeth Baartmnn, Professor at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Netherlands, as a visiting academic with Deakin University. She will discuss the experiences of research in programmatic assessment in the Netherlands, and unpack outcomes in vocational education and practice.
Programmatic Assessment is seen as a promising approach to align assessment with Higher Education goals such as inclusiveness, employability and assessment for learning. Its value has been evidenced in the Netherlands, in practice-based research carried out in a professional learning community consisting of about 25 higher education programmes. In this presentation, Liesbeth shares the theoretical principles of programmatic assessment and how these principles have been worked out in practice in design choices made by programmes in different domains. Also, lessons learned regarding student learning and decision-making will be discussed.
Join us for this compelling and this topical presentation at Downtown or online.
Further information: https://CRADLE_Seminar_Series_20_March_2025.eventbrite.com.au
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Web4All 2025 - Accessible Employment
April 28-29 in Sydney / submissions close February 28
The 22nd International Web for All Conference (W4A’25), the premier venue for web accessibility research, will take place in Sydney, Australia this April. W4A is co-located with the 34th International World Wide Web Conference – TheWebConf’25 at the ICC Sydney: International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
If you are a researcher or practitioner in the field of digital accessibility, with a focus on Accessible Employment, there is still time to submit a technical, communication or challenge paper. For those just wishing to attend as a delegate the W4A offers a vibrant experience for people who are passionate about accessibility and inclusion.
Paper submissions open until February 28th.
Further information: https://www.w4a.info/2025/
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Urgent Call: Participant Volunteers in a UNE PhD Study Investigating how academics use workplace technology for resilience
Urgent call for participants: You are invited to participate in this UNE PhD qualitative study (Ethics approval: HE24-129, valid 10/7/2026) investigating how academics maintain resilience and wellbeing using workplace technology. Your participation will involve completing a short pre-screening online survey, ensuring the target group, academics employed in a higher education institution in Australia, who use workplace technology for work completion are selected (public or private university). Click on the link to access the short survey. https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08ocuZ46BaZ3bHE
An invitation to participate in an online, short video interview and submission of 300-400 word reflection will be sent to participants who meet pre-screening criteria.
Further information: For more information about the study contact Marie (Bernie) Fisher via email: mfisher@myune.edu.au
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New online first articles in Higher Education Research and Development
Re-weaving learning ecologies: a pluriversal framework for higher education learning spaces, Kimmel Chamat Garcés, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2024.2429439
Traversing changing higher education learning spaces: what we bring and what is missing, Carmen Vallis, Alison Casey, Joanne Nash, Ryan Menner, Andrew Cram & Sandris Zeivots, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2024.2429447
Choreography and improvisation in hybrid teaching, James Lamb, Tim Fawns, Joe Noteboom & Jen Ross, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2024.2435855
Empowering academics: a roadmap for hybrid teaching and learning in higher education, Jill Bamforth, Elizabeth Levin, Jeff Waters, Sean Gallagher, Kristina Turner & Bin Wu, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2024.2429476
The new artefacts: teaching development during the Covid-19 pandemic and implications for future practice, Jill Dickinson & Teri-Lisa Griffiths, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2024.2429435
A Wizard of Oz methodology for designing future learning spaces, Justin Edwards, Andy Nguyen, Joni Lämsä, Marta Sobocinski, Ridwan Whitehead, Belle Dang & Sanna Järvelä, https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2024.2429433
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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.