September 6, 2016

Wollongong Academy Spring Clean

New leadership team joins WATTLE 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Joe Chicharo, has welcomed a new leadership team to the Wollongong Academy of Tertiary Teaching and Learning Excellence (WATTLE).

WATTLE is a leadership community dedicated to providing space for teaching and learning recognition, development, passion and dialogue. Since its inception, the WATTLE community has grown to a membership of over 200 Senior Fellows, Fellows and Associate Fellows and the new WATTLE Executive Committee brings together a small cohort of teaching and learning experts to represent member’s needs and help shape the future of the Academy.

“UOW has an outstanding community of teaching and learning expertise which is evident by our exceptional QILT rankings,” said Professor Chicharo.

“The work of our committed educators underpins our exceptional student learning experience and it is important that we draw from this knowledge and continue to raise the bar for teaching and learning in Higher Education.

“WATTLE is in an ideal position to build on our achievement, share best practice and have a national and international impact, and I look forward to the next chapter of teaching and learning innovation at UOW.”

Led by A/Professor Sarah O’Shea, the new leadership team of WATTLE is dedicated to providing a space for teaching and learning recognition, development and dialogue.

“We encourage everyone to join our community of passionate teaching and learning scholars,” A/Prof O’Shea said.

“Providing opportunities for collaboration is at the top of our agenda so our first function will be to form WATTLE Hot Topic Groups, bringing together like minded people to debate the key issues in our field.”

Every member of staff, whether they are part of the teaching, research or professional areas of the university, employed as casual, part-time or continuing are welcome to become members of this Academy. WATTLE aims to create a community of practice where a diversity of expertise can be recognised and utilised to further teaching and learning at UOW and beyond.

WATTLE members are invited to participate in a planning survey and contribute ideas for Hot Topics, future events and services to support teaching practice and academic scholarship. WATTLE’s new membership criteria has been designed to be as inclusive as possible and WATTLE encourages all staff (professional and academic) to consider joining.

Visit the WATTLE website for more information and join the teaching and learning conversation at @UOW_WATTLE.