Blending Research and Teaching: The "Nexus" is not favoured

Title

Blending Research and Teaching: The "Nexus" is not favoured

Author(s)

Dr Rajaraman Eri

Presentation Goals

The focus group findings will highlight the need for defining teaching-research nexus area better and adequately educate the importance of research from the employer's perspective.

Presentation Type

Poster

Keywords

research teaching nexus, research informed teaching,

Room

Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre

Time

11.00-11.25

Abstract

Research informed teaching (RIT) is a term usually referred to as Teaching-Research Nexus (TRN). It can be defined as the link between multiple discipline research and how it translates into teaching and learning. The idea of RIT not only involves high quality research in various disciplines but also drawing on those research areas to design curricula and increase student participation in research work. At UTAS, the new Open to Talent policy describes an aim to achieve 'top 10 University status and articulates the significance of research and teaching as two top priorities. This presentation proposes that to embed the aims of Open to Talent and to contribute to a renewed culture of scholarship and teaching at UTAS, a similar emphasis is given to RIT at UTAS.A pilot study conducted at the Faculty of Health involved focus group  from  10 academics from different disciplines (Nursing, exercise science, health sciences). The meaning, interpretation of TRN and its impact on teaching and employment were discussed in detail. The study found that there was a substantial variation in the understanding of TRN concept between individual academics. One of the striking highlights of the study was the lack of appreciation for the term and lack of usage by academics.  The link between TRN and how it translates to graduate attributes and employment skills was also discussed.