Transformations in Tertiary Education The Scholarship of Engagement at RMIT University

Professor Belinda Tynan is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) at RMIT University, where she is responsible for the quality and overall design of academic programs, student administration and services, academic performance (including promotion); updating of teaching pedagogy, delivery mechanisms and learning resources; and student access and equity. Her research interest is chiefly in the field of online and digital education with a keen focus on ‘openness’, staff workload and more recently learning analytics. 

Tricia McLaughlin is a nationally recognized scholar in the area of lifelong learning and pathways. She has extensive experience in the development of lifelong learning principles and their application in workplaces, educational settings and schools. The primary focus of her work is on learning and teaching models; and the evaluation of impact, particularly in STEM teaching. 

Professor Andrea Chester is currently Dean of the School of Education at RMIT University. An accomplished senior academic and executive with 20+ years’ experience in tertiary education, Andrea has led learning and teaching innovation at local and national levels. She has particular expertise in the development of partnerships to enhance learning, with experience in co-design and mentoring models. Andrea is a member of the Australian Council of Deans of Education and has been recognized nationally for her teaching excellence. 

Dr Cathy Hall-van den Elsen has extensive experience in tertiary learning and teaching.The primary focus of her work has been on developing models and professional development for transnational learning and teaching, and addressing the challenges and opportunities for academic and teaching staff moving from traditional classrooms to ‘new generation’ learning spaces. Cathy’s most recent project was the leadership of RMIT University’s 2018 learning and teaching conference, Transformations in Tertiary Education.

Dr Belinda Kennedy is an academic at the School of Education and the College of Science, Engineering and Health at RMIT University. Belinda has broad experience in STEM disciplines, in particular science, and has initiated a number of STEM learning approaches for on-campus and off-campus programs for students at all year levels.