Nexus Project 2008

In 2007, the UOW Planning conference identified the Nexus as a UOW strategic project. Three working groups were formed to carry out projects in 2008:

Working Group 1
Learning–Researching–Teaching Nexus: Focus on research awareness, access and appreciation for undergraduate students. Led by Profs Anne McDougall and Sandra Wills, this group included academics from UOW faculties and representatives of CEDIR and the Research Student Centre. Working group members: Associate Professor Rebecca Albury (Arts), Ms Kim Callaway (RSC), Associate Professor Kathie Cooper (Commerce), Dr Lisa Kervin (Education), Professor Fazel Naghdy (Informatics), Mr Marcus O’Donnell (Creative Arts), Dr Margaret Wallace (HBS), Professor Sandra Wills (CEDIR/Learning Development), Professor Mark Wilson (Science). Coordinator: Ms Anne Melano.

Working Group 2
Honours: Focus on raising profile of Honours programs as research activities. Led by Prof Lee Astheimer and Ms Kim Callaway.

Working Group 3
Curricula: Focus on teaching-research linkages in curricula. Dean’s group led by Prof Andrew Wells.

Throughout 2008, these groups generated discussion, held seminars attended by over 120 members of the UOW community, carried out consultations and explored sustainable strategies for strengthening the Nexus at UOW. This web site, an Honours web site and case studies of good practice were published. The articulation of the Nexus at UOW was developed. Student opinions were surveyed through the Student Experience Questionnaire. Course review and approval processes were instigated, connections were made between the University Learning and Teaching program and the Nexus, and numerous recommendations were made for the future.

For Honours web site, see: http://www.uow.edu.au/student/honours/