Network of Associate Deans

INAUGRUAL MEETING OF DASSH NETWORK ASSOC DEANS (L&T)

30 September to 1 October 2009

The meeting produced the Newcastle Declaration – 2009-2010 Agenda and Founding Principles.

The Declaration stated

The Network is intended as a forum of collaboration in the pursuit of learning and teaching excellence.

The Network intends to provide Associate Deans with professional development of skills, knowledge regarding issues of currency, relationships with colleagues in similar roles, and the means to advocate and influence public policy regarding issues of education, teaching and learning.

The meeting welcomed the relationship between the Network, DASSH and the ALTC. The Network intends to work with DASSH and the Deans within the context of the DASSH Strategic Plan to achieve the following aims and objectives:

Network Meeting Agenda
The meeting was held concurrently with the DASSH 2009 conference and AGM with some shared sessions.

DASSH assisted the Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) from each university in Australia and New Zealand to a special forum in conjunction with the 2009 DASSH conference and AGM. This is a key outcome of the DASSH Discipline Support Strategy. The Strategy is supported with funding from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council funded Learning Network.

The DASSH Discipline Support Strategy outlines a three-year plan aimed at developing a network that engages and supports those at the forefront of teaching and learning in Australian universities.

A Steering Committee was convened in Melbourne on Monday 18 May. Its major focus was developing, with the Board, the inaugural meeting.

Discipline Scholar

The DASSH Board congratulates Professor Iain Hay on his appointment as the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Discipline Scholar for arts, social sciences and humanities. The Discipline Scholar is a key element of the ALTC Learning Networks, along the ALTC Exchange and the DASSH Discipline Support Strategy.

DASSH acknowledges Professor Hay's eminence in his field and awards in teaching and learning. He is ideally placed for the role.

Professor Hay's skills and experience will be invaluable to the Board as the Council implements its Discipline Support Strategy. The Strategy will develop an engaged network to support quality and change in teaching and learning in Australian universities. The Board looks forward to working with Professor Hay in the establishment of its teaching and learning network for arts, social sciences and humanities through the DASSH membership.

Professor Hay will hold the position of Discipline Scholar until July 2010.