Pedagogy 2025
Abstract
Academic roles are undergoing significant change. Beyond the traditional balanced role where academics are assumed to devote equal time to both teaching and research, universities are increasingly employing teaching or education focused academics (https://universitybusiness.co.uk/why-are-a-third-of-academics-employed-in-teaching-only-roles/). As such we argue that the traditional measures of impact for an academic such as H factor’s are insufficient. For all academics who teach, impact is more than the research they produce – they develop graduates to enter a complex and uncertain world of work and enhancing their ability to think critically as well as increasing societal capital, to ensuring graduates are employable upon degree completion. Further, for education focused academics, they may not even be required to research as part of their roles and therefore must measure impact in other ways. Just as the role and expectations of the educator has changed so too must the way impact is measured and reported. The time is here to broaden the types of academic esteem to capture educational impact. Moving beyond prizes and citations (https://rmit.libguides.com/researchevidence/esteem), educational impact can be measured in subtle ripples over time in terms of student retention, development of critical thinking and contributions to society, development of other academics, innovations in educational practice, and education to broader society through media and not for profit involvement. More than quantitative measures, we suggest educational impact can be measured across four domains (in their classrooms, corridors, across their campuses and in their communities) directly affecting their students, colleagues.
Associate Professor Lynn Gribble, UNSW Sydney, is internationally, nationally and UNSW awarded Education Focused academic. Using her keen interest in transformative learning through engagement, belonging and personalization of each student’s learning experience, Known for her continual innovation, Lynn uses technology to connect with her students and personalize their experience. Her work on teaching innovation dissemination through ‘The 4Cs (Classroom, Corridor, Campus and Community) Strategy’ has seen her practices adopted and adapted globally.
Associate Professor Janis Wardrop, UNSW Sydney, is an academic leader and educational champion of innovation, she is also a recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence and a leading educator in the School of Management and Governance. Specialising in developing student’s learning capabilities to meet the challenges of the 21st century workplace, through innovative curriculum and course design, her passion is to support others in their development. Her work on transforming student experience in large core courses is widely noted as is her development of other academics as a ‘guide on the side’. Janis is the former Director of Education at the UNSW Centre for Social Impact, and Director of Education and Associate Head of School, School of Management & Governance, at UNSW.
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday 19th November, 2025