HERDSA conference, 2 to 5 July 2019, Auckland New Zealand

Next Generation, Higher Education:
Challenges, Changes and Opportunities

Welcome

The conference planning committee invite you to join us for the 42nd annual conference of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA), to be held 2-5 July 2019 (with pre-conference workshops on 2 July) at the Science Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

The theme for the conference is Next Generation, Higher Education: Challenges, Changes and Opportunities.

In the last decade, Higher Education has undergone dramatic changes with internationalisation bringing a broader range of students to tertiary institutions, while requiring researchers to focus on priorities set by government. The sector continues to grapple with restrained budgets, increased student numbers, greater student diversity and government agendas requiring preparation of students for work and lifelong learning. In addition, the research environment has become more complex with funding opportunities becoming more competitive but not as plentiful.

As we enter a new decade, there will be new challenges and changes along with opportunities for the next generation in Higher Education. Within this context we have identified areas and points of interest relevant to the conference theme as captured within our sub-themes. The points beneath these sub-themes are intended to help guide thinking and potential areas of interest for research. You are however, encouraged to interpret the themes as it best suits your own institutional or national context.

Sub Themes

Challenges, changes, and opportunities for Next Generation, Higher Education ….

Students:

Learning
Well-being and success
Technology
First in the family
Working in partnership
Global learning
Future graduates
Places and spaces

Academics:

Academic environments
Academic development
Leadership
Supporting early career academics
Social justice
Changing academic practice
Agile learning
Work and identity

Tertiary institutions:

Technologies
Leadership
New developments
Governance and management
Access to education
Sustainability
Collaboration
Internationalisation

There are many diverse and wide-ranging perspectives from which to approach the notion of Next Generation, Higher Education. We welcome contributions that reflect the diversity of participants in higher education including private and non-university higher education providers, the vocational education and training sector, educators, researchers and students, administrators and policy makers, government, community and industry partners, and our culturally diverse communities. We also welcome international delegates who can provide insights that can shape the future of higher education from other contexts and cultures.

New to the HERDSA 2019 Conference is the introduction of our new presentation formats. There will no longer be peer-reviewed papers. Instead we have the following range of presentation formats:

Pre-conference workshops
Posters
Showcases
Symposiums
Mini-workshops
Round table

The conference will be held at the University of Auckland Science Centre. If you are visiting Auckland for the first time, you will find the conference venue located in the central business district. A short walk will take you to Britomart to eat, drink and socialise. A 10 minute bus trip to Newmarket and Parnell for great places to shop or Ponsonby Road for wonderful cafes and restaurants. For the adventurous, the Sky Tower offers bungy jumping. If you have more time, a 35 minute ferry will take you to Waiheke Island to visit wineries and beautiful beaches.

We look forward to meeting you at HERDSA 2019, to share ideas and network with colleagues, forge new collaborations and gain new insights into higher education as well as to enjoy the many attractions that Auckland and its surrounds have to offer.

Dr Barbara Kensington-Miller and Dr Julia Hallas

Dr Barbara Kensington-Miller

Co-convener

Dr Julia Hallas