Griffith University will host an international conference organised by Australian and New Zealand universities at the Radisson Resort on the Gold Coast from July 4 — 7.

The annual HERDSA (Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia) conference will see academics, researchers, professional staff, students, schools and policy makers come together to examine the latest in higher education teaching, the student experience, policy and leadership.

Conference Convenor and Chair Professor Kerri-lee Krause from the Griffith Institute for Higher Education says the event aims to capture the transformations occurring in the sector both in Australia and overseas.

“Developments in technology in particular are resulting in a shift away from the traditional boundaries of higher education,” Professor Krause said.

“The way we engage with students is changing. No longer are our campuses the sole source of learning, as we see workplaces, industry, other countries and the virtual online environment cementing a place within higher education.

“Government agendas will also require a consideration of how we provide, resource and reward quality learning, teaching and research.

“By bringing together the key players within the sector we can be collaborative while addressing the controversial topics and also celebrating the very best of academic culture,” she said.

Griffith has worked in close partnership with colleagues from several Queensland universities to offer a style of conference uniquely tailored to the State.

The conference will incorporate a range of research presentations, workshops, feature events and interactive sessions including:

– An opening address from Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley, author of the Bradley Review of Higher Education and interim Chair of the newly established Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA);

– Keynote addresses from leading international higher education researchers: Professor Ann Austin from the USA, and Professor Paul Trowler from the UK and Dr Carol Nicoll from the ALTC;

– A range of sessions designed to present and critique research in the field; and

– A Q&A panel session facilitated by Dorothy Illing, well known higher education consultant and journalist

Coinciding with the opening of the HERDSA conference on July 4, an invitational summit on Teaching and Learning Standards will be co-hosted by Professor Krause and TEQSA, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. The summit follows the recent release of the Discussion Paper: Developing a Framework for Teaching and Learning Standards in Australian Higher Education and the Role of TEQSA.

For more info: http://conference.herdsa.org.au/2011/