Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education

ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School

The ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School takes place annually and is hosted by a different institution each year.

The ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School is typically held over three (3) days in which academic and professional staff come together to further develop their research skills. The school is facilitated by senior researchers and leaders drawn from the ASCILITE community. It includes lunches, morning and afternoon teas, as well as expert presenters for a approximate cost of $600 (ASCILITE current financial members) or $750.00 (non-members, includes a 12 month membership). The Research School commences at lunchtime day one – Monday, and finishes at around 1pm on day three – Wednesday.

Applications to participate in the Research School are made via an Expression of Interest (CLOSED).

Next Research School

The next School is planned for 28-30 October and will be hosted by UTS in Sydney.

Start: ~11am Monday, 28 October 2024

Finish: ~1:30 pm Wednesday, 30 October

Location: University of Technology,  Rooms 102, 103, 105, Level 7, UTS Building 10, Jones Street, Ultimo NSW 2007

Aims of the Research School

The aim of the ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School is to:

  1. Provide support and guidance to participants in developing and progressing Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) research initiatives including but not limited to:
    – Formulating a relevant and effective TEL research project.
    – Collecting appropriate TEL research data.
    – Identifying what data is most appropriate for TEL research.
  2. Assist participants to identify and plan a contemporary TEL research project.
  3. Enable opportunities for participants to link with like-minded collaborators from other universities and potentially to establish viable cross-institutional research collaborations.
  4. Guide participants in developing a grant application or research plan for a TEL research project. This would include both projects that have already been conceptualised as well as new projects that have not yet been conceived.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of the ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School participants will:

  • Have gained a sound understanding of current topical areas and methodologies for TEL research,
  • Have broadened their professional networks,
  • Have a well-developed and comprehensive plan for a TEL research project,
  • Appreciate how to be successful in publishing manuscripts in journals, and
  • Have a strategy for identifying potential funding opportunities and developing funding applications

Participants

The ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School will be most suitable for:

  • Early to mid-career researchers
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) enthusiasts
  • Teaching intensive academics
  • ASCILITE mentors and mentees
  • Anyone interested in applying for a TEL research grant
  • Anyone interested in TEL research collaborations and cross-institutional research projects
  • Academics seeking to incorporate research into their TEL practice and approach

Past Research Schools

The 2023 ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research school was hosted by Charles Sturt University and held in Canberra, 23 – 25 October, 2023. It was led by Professor Sue Gregory (ASCILITE Executive, UNE), Associate Professor Chris Campbell (ASCILITE Executive President, Charles Sturt), Professor Petrea Redmond (ASCILITE Executive, UniSQ), Professor Michael Henderson (Monash), Professor Sarah O’Shea (Charles Sturt) and Professor Barney Dalgarno (Canberra). There were 26 participants from 12 institutions.

The 2022 ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School took place on 23 – 25 October, 2022 and was co-hosted by the Hub for Educational Design and Innovation (HEDI), Monash University and Deakin University, CRADLE.  Featured guest speakers and presenters included Prof Margaret Bearman (Deakin),Prof Phill Dawson, (Deakin), Prof Sue Gregory (UNE), A/Prof Chris Campbell (CSU), Prof Michael Henderson (Monash), Prof Dominique Parrish (Macquarie), Prof Petrea Redmond (UniSQ). You can read about the event here, and some writing tips generated by the participants here.

The 2019 ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School took place on 2 – 4 September 2019 and was hosted by the University of New England in Armidale, NSW.  Featured guest speakers and presenters included Prof Sue Gregory (UNE), Dr Chris Campbell (Griffith), Dr Thom Cochrane (AUT), A/Prof Michael Henderson (Monash), Prof Barney Dalgarno (CSU) and A/Prof Pep Serow (UNE).  You will find a blog post of how the 2019 school went here.

The 2018 ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School took place 17 – 19 October 2018 and was hosted by Learning Futures, Griffith University at their Southbank Campus. Featured guest speakers and presenters included Prof Barney Dalgarno (CSU), Prof Dominique Parrish (Macquarie), A/Prof Sue Gregory (UNE) and A/Prof Michael Henderson (Monash).

The 2017 Inaugural ASCILITE Spring into Excellence Research School was held on 26 – 28 September 2017 and was hosted by the University of Wollongong. If you would like to read a review of the 2017 school you will find it here. We also have a summary of participant evaluations that you will find here.

Institutional Members