Dr. Jacqueline Burgess is a multi-award-winning educator and researcher based at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Jacqueline’s research focuses on marketing in the creative industries exploring the emotional connections that audiences form with stories especially video games. Jacqueline’s research has been covered by various international and national news media and published in prestigious academic journals. She has also worked with various creative practitioners from international companies, including Ubisoft, to local businesses and has taught numerous industry workshops. Jacqueline has won international, national and internal recognition for her teaching and is also an active member of the Digital Games Research Association Australia (DiGRAA) having served on the board, executive and as conference chair and organiser.

Dr Brian Sengstock is an Associate Head of School with responsibility for staff supervision and development, and a Senior Lecturer in Healthcare Sciences with a clinical background in paramedicine and emergency management. Brian's scholarship of teaching and learning research is focused on improving how sexual and gender diverse healthcare students experience the healthcare curriculum, whilst also preparing all health care students for the provision of culturally safe care to recipients of care who identify as sexually and/or gender diverse. Brian has researched and published in this space for over 20 years. Brian has been involved as an Ally at various tertiary institutions in Australia since 2011, and has previously held roles including as the Chair and Academic Co-convenor, and Secretariat Co-convenor of the Charles Sturt Ally Network.

Dr Lisa Clegg is a Senior Lecturer in Paramedicine and has extensive experience in paramedicine, both as a clinician and educator in industry and the higher education sector. Lisa is currently the Postgraduate Head of Discipline – Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University, having previously held the role of Head of Discipline – Paramedicine. These roles have allowed Lisa to gain a deep insight into the paramedic curriculum and the need for inclusivity to ensure the needs of all students are being met. Lisa currently teaches extensively into the postgraduate paramedic program and is passionate about increasing the visibility of sexual and gender diversity in the healthcare curriculum. Lisa’s research interests revolve around mental health and wellbeing of paramedics. Lisa has been involved as an Ally at various tertiary institutions.

Felix Nobis received the Vice Chancelor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2020. He has coordinated the Theatre and Performance programs as well as the Work Integrated Learning program in the Arts Faculty of Monash University. His academic focus is on the overlap of these fields. He has published on topics from the Lives of Actors to teaching Workplace Innovation. Together with collaborator Professor Tom Carey he has published and presented on Workplace Innovation strategies, and they were part of the team awarded joint-second place in the International Innovation & entrepreneurship teaching excellence awards (2022). Felix still performs and a recent season of his award winning translation of the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf (recorded by ABC Radio National) played to sell out season at Melbourne Fringe Festival. His play Boy out of the Country (Currency Press, 2015) has toured extensively and was included on the 2016 VCE teaching syllabus (Theatre).

Dr Nirmani Wijenayake is an education-focused Senior Lecturer from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. With over 13 years of experience in higher education, she has taught and coordinated large undergraduate courses in biochemistry and cell biology. With a passion for promoting teamwork and collaboration, student well-being, project-based learning, and innovative technology, she has made a significant impact on promoting student engagement and learning. Nirmani won the UNSW Vice Chancellor’s teaching award for outstanding contribution to student learning in 2020 and is a Senior Fellow of the UK’s higher education academy.  

Dr Sharyn Curran is currently the Director of Graduate Research in the Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University. Her research and teaching has focused on IT Innovation and Strategy, Governance and Policy as it relates to Information Technology. She also has published in the area of Corporate Psychopathy. Her current role has had a focus on Doctoral Education with particular concern for Student and staff well-being and issues related to gender equity. The advent of Gen-AI and the proliferation of research tools has demonstrated the need for new understanding of doctoral education and ensuring equity is balanced with innovation and rigour in traditional research domain.

Janis Wardrop is an Associate Professor at University of New South Wales. An academic leader and educational champion of innovation, she is the recipient of a number of university teaching awards and a leading educator in the School of Management and Governance.  Janis specialises 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 other academics in to develop their teaching practices. 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’.

Dr David Van Reyk is an education-focused academic in the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He has received a UTS Teaching Citation, shared a UTS teaching award, and co-authored publications as a bioscience educator. He was co-investigator of an OLT-funded project to create a website for TAFE-qualified enrolled nurses transitioning to a BN program. He is currently researching how STEM academics do or could embed social responsibility into their teaching and learning practice.

As Senior Lecturer with Deakin Learning Futures, I provide leadership and capacity building in teaching and learning for the Faculty of Arts and Education. My role involves collaborating with educators to enhance their skills in delivering evidence-based, contemporary and meaningful learning experiences for a diverse student body. I work closely with course teams to design curricula that meet accreditation requirements and policy-based standards, and I lead projects to meet Deakin's strategic and operational priorities.

Marie is a multidisciplinary academic. She returned to full-time study in 2024 as a PhD research student at the University of New England, investigating how academics build resilience using workplace technology. Previously she taught and conducted research as an academic for over 20 years at ANU, UC and ACU in humanities, teacher education and academic development. Her recent experience focuses on cross disciplinary academic development, research and leadership. In 2023 and 2024 she served as the general chair for The London International Conference on Education at Oxford University in the UK. Marie is the Chair of HERDSA ACT Branch in Australia, an Associate Fellow of HERDSA and a senior fellow (SFHEA), Advance HE, UK. She received an Australasian Team-Teaching award for Contemporary Approaches to University Teaching in 2018. Her recent, multi-disciplinary international research and current PhD studies, focus on academic resilience, mentoring, ePortfolios, teaching practice using technology and digital wellbeing.

Hanna Olson is a senior lecturer within the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand with research interest centred around student experience. She has recently taken over the role as the Director of Dental Education Research within the Sir John Walsh Research Centre. She contributes to the advancement of teaching and learning activities in particular for dental and oral health students. She is one of the IPE Campus Lead in Dunedin, planning for and facilitating IPE activities across health professional educational programmes within the University. Her research highlights a learner-centred approach to teaching using active learning strategies. She has partnered with a team of international academics and dental specialists to form innovative collaboration practices in digital dentistry. Together they design and develop e-learning material as shared resources for early learning in dental and oral health programme.

Karan Bland is a distinguished academic professional with a comprehensive background bridging scientific disciplines and educational practice. Her scientific credentials span multiple domains, including pathology, microbiology, and environmental laboratory sciences, providing her with a robust foundation of practical scientific expertise. As an educator, Karan has distinguished herself through a deeply student-centred approach that prioritises student wellbeing, educational equity, and inclusive practice. Her passion lies in expanding educational opportunities for rural students, recognising the significant barriers and unique challenges faced by learners in regional and remote communities. Committed to continuous professional growth, Karan has demonstrated her dedication to academic excellence through significant professional achievements. In 2021, she achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, a prestigious recognition of her contributions to teaching and learning in higher education. Building upon this, she recently completed a Master of Education, further developing her theoretical understanding and practical skills in educational leadership and pedagogical innovation.

Dr Puva P Arumugam is a third-space academic (Lecturer, Learning Futures) at Deakin University’s Faculty of Business and Law Learning Innovations team. Her research interests include studying the perceptions and identity issues relating to third-space academics/professionals and stakeholder perspectives of digital literacy. Puva is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  In her current role, Puva leads the academic development of programmatic course redevelopment across the faculty, ensuring that the courses are aligned and fit for integrated teaching and learning. At Deakin, Puva is a valued third-space academic team member who provides stakeholder and SoTL input to several university-wide projects such as the CloudFirst project, FutureLearn MOOC/ Microcredentials, and Deakin Design Principles. Apart from being an Advance Higher Education Fellowship Mentor and Assessor at Deakin, she is an Executive Committee (Communication) member for the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) at the Victoria Branch.

Dr. Viythia Katharesan is a Senior Lecturer and Education Specialist in the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide. She is the Learning and Teaching Chair within the School of Biomedicine and coordinates first year medical students amidst other academic responsibilities. Viyth is especially driven to share and develop best-practice active-learning approaches and ensure they are implemented in a sustainable manner. In that way, she is committed to staff and student development alike.

Associate Professor Danijela Menicanin is the Associate Dean of Learning Quality and Student Experience and an Education Specialist at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide. Her current teaching role is focused on implementation of innovative teaching approaches and methodologies, to cultivate creativity in the current, dynamic, technology-driven culture of learning and teaching.

Thomas Corbin is a Research Fellow in the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University. His research focuses on GenAI, assessment, and the philosophy of education. Phillip Dawson is a professor and Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University. His research focuses on assessment, feedback, and cheating. Danny Liu is a molecular biologist by training, programmer by night, researcher and academic developer by day, and educator at heart. He works at the confluence of educational technology, student engagement, artificial intelligence, learning analytics, pedagogical research, organisational leadership, and professional development. He is currently a Professor in the Educational Innovation team in the DVC (Education) Portfolio at the University of Sydney.

Dr Caitlin Fox-Harding is a Lecturer within the School of Medical and Health Sciences and is also the unit coordinator for components within the Exercise and Sport Science discipline at ECU's Joondalup campus and for the Singapore program.  Caitlin is the course co-ordinator for the undergraduate double degree (W31) Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science)/Bachelor of Commerce (Sport Business). She is passionate about student learning and was invited to serve as a sessional staff member in ECU's School of Education. Caitlin has been involved in elite sport for 15 years during her time as a competitive athlete in the Olympic sport of fencing.  She is now an active member of the International Fencing Federation (FIE)'s Women & Fencing Council and the chair of Oceania Fencing Confederation's (OFC) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.  She was previously the AFF's national High-Performance Manager and in charge of sporting operations before then serving as a board member. Above all, Caitlin is a mum to 2-year-old Harvey who reminds her each day of the importance of staying well.  

Judy is a committed academic and educator in pre-hospital and emergency medicine, bringing extensive experience as a critical care paramedic to her teaching as a Lecturer of postgraduate paramedicine. She is an advocate of evidence-based medicine and is passionate about enhancing the quality of paramedicine education worldwide and providing students with a positive learning experience. Judy's current research interest include the transition of paramedicine professionals from clinical roles to academia and educational positions, with a particular focus on the development of an academic identity and incorporating generative-AI into pedagogical practices. Judy is an active member of the profession globally by belonging to various paramedicine associations and is a member of the Australasian College of Paramedicine Western Australia committee.

Mary Gonzalez is a Petroleum Engineering Academic Staff member and the Associate Head of People and Culture for the School of Chemical Engineering. Mary is passionate about Learning and Teaching and Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She is an Education Specialist and a member of the Adelaide Education Academy and the Adelaide College of Reviewers. She is also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Mary joined the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources in 2009, bringing with her several years of experience in the oil and gas industry. During her time in the industry, she worked as a Petroleum Engineer and consultant, delivering practical Petroleum Engineering consultancy services and solutions in subsurface and production engineering. Her career has exposed her to a diverse range of projects, clients, and environments, enhancing her expertise across the field. Mary possesses strong skills in leadership, mentoring, supervision, consulting, and aligning business objectives with engineering practices. She is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and serves as a peer reviewer for several Elsevier Journals. Additionally, Mary has contributed her expertise as a technical program committee member for numerous conferences hosted by SPE International and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA).

Karin is Director, Educational Excellence (Pro-Vice Chancellor Education portfolio), a Scientia Education Academy Fellow, and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture at UNSW Sydney. She is also the Director of the UNSW Education Focussed Program and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). Karin’s teaching expertise focuses on the student experience, particularly the role of student feedback literacy and creating a sense of belonging in the first-year educational context. Her education leadership experience extends to building capability and learning communities amongst peers in higher education environments through national and international mentorship and leadership programs. Karin has worked and studied in London, Cape Town and Sydney and received several international and national awards, citations, accreditation and fellowships for teaching and education excellence.