Monday 22nd September, 1-2pm
More than just MOOCing around about: the what, how, why, who and wherefore of a mass online course

Abstract
For someone who has lived through decades of technological innovations in teaching since overhead transparencies replaced chalk, the experience of delivering a Mass Open Online Course has been fascinating. This paper describes that experience and reflects both on the implications of the model for campus-based teaching and learning and on the future of MOOCs themselves.

Prof. Peter McPhee
University of Melbourne

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Monday 8th September, 1-2pm
Linking University Research and Teaching

Abstract
In our 1996 meta-analysis we demonstrated a close to zero relationship between university research and teaching. This session will update the research findings on the relationship, comment on the resistance to evidence based research, and provide an interpretation of a null finding that may lead to a higher relationship between the quality or teaching and research.

Prof. John Hattie
MGSE, University of Melbourne

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Friday 29th August, 12:30-2pm
What Australia should not learn from UK Higher Education

Abstract
Although Australia became a quasi-independent dominion in 1901 and achieved a more definite national independence after World War 2, the higher education systems in Australia and UK remain similar. At times the two systems almost feel like one. There are also interesting differences, and larger variations in society, history and world geo-context. This seminar will reflect on these patterns.

Professor Simon Marginson
Professor of International Higher Education, Institute of Education, University of London

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Monday 25th August, 1-2pm
Reinvigorating the Australian research funding system

Abstract
Australia allocates $9 billion a year of taxpayers’ money for research, but how do we know if that money is being spent wisely? With the Australian Government threatening to reduce the amount of money allocated to research, it is time for researchers to take a more serious look at how to improve the research funding system.

Despite a barrage of criticism of the Australian research funding system, there is a lack of meaningful change in the system: the majority of researchers see the system as arcane, overly-bureaucratic and wildly inefficient. In many other areas of policy, including health, education and labour market policy, we subject such government expenditure to rigorous, systematic evaluation. However, evaluation of our research investments is almost non-existent. In this presentation, I review the problem and examine how the research funding system could be reinvigorated to provide better outcomes for researchers and provide the taxpayer with more confidence about the way their money is being spent.

Prof. Paul Jensen

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