Week 6: Authors

Dr Lisa Thomas, Dr Kathryn Harden-Thew, Dr Bonnie Dean & Dr Janine Delahunty, University of Wollongong

Dr Lisa Thomas (PhD, SFHEA) is the Acting Deputy Director of the Learning, Teaching and Curriculum unit at the University of Wollongong. She has a background in education having taught in primary schools, high schools and university. Lisa is currently in a formal leadership role as Acting Deputy Director across a broad portfolio including academic development, learning development, peer learning, educational resource innovation and design, learning analytics, and curriculum and educational design. Lisa’s research interests include higher education teaching, designing learning, and professional development of tertiary teachers.

Dr Kathryn Harden-Thew (PhD, FHEA) is an Academic Developer in the Learning, Teaching & Curriculum Unit, University of Wollongong since 2014, having previously taught in the School of Education. Kathryn co-ordinates the Continuing Professional Development (Learning & Teaching) Portfolio Review Panel for all teaching staff across the university. This review process, and associated resources, support staff to reflect on and develop their teaching practice to better engage with their students in deep learning, regardless of the learning space. Kathryn further supports sessional teachers during their entry into teaching in higher education.

Dr Bonnie Amelia Dean (PhD, SFHEA) has been a university teacher for 10 years and is currently an Academic Developer at the University of Wollongong. Her role is centred on the improvement, support and development of teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum for teachers across the university. Bonnie’s passion for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning began during her dissertation that adopted a practice-based inquiry into the learning practices of undergraduate students during internship placements. Her research interests include higher education teaching and learning, Work Integrated Learning, academic development and student learning.

Dr Janine Delahunty (PhD, FHEA) has had a sustained interest in the impact of asynchronous discussions in the online learning space, particularly the complexities of discussion and the effect on the teaching-learning experience. Since 2014, she has worked as an Academic Developer in the Learning, Teaching & Curriculum Unit at the University of Wollongong, and as Project Manager for a number of externally funded projects. Janine’s interests encompass how the learning experience can be enhanced – particularly for online students, first-in-family and those from diverse and/or less advantaged backgrounds