The annual HERGA (Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide) Annual Conference was held at Flinders University on Tuesday 26 September. The HERGA Conference is a cross South Australian university collegiate opportunity for academics, learning designers and other teaching support staff to share Research and Scholarship Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in the tertiary education space. The conference is free to delegates and made possible by generous donations from sponsors (Gold: Flinders University, UniSA, University of Adelaide; Silver: Pearson, ADInstruments, Flinders University College of Science and Engineering and College of Medicine and Public Health; Bronze: Macmillan Learning and UniSuper).

The conference was a sold-out event and brought together over 260 delegates from a wide range of disciplines and institutions, including Flinders University, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Tabor Christian College, TafeSA, Torrens University, Monash University, and ICHM, Adelaide. The number of attendees was 50% greater than in previous years, included a strong percentage of students and the presentation sessions were well attended throughout the day.

The HERGA conference was prefaced on Monday 25 September by an informative and invaluable workshop focussed on Artificial Intelligence (AI) run by Associate Professor Jason Lodge from the University of Queensland. Monday’s workshop was well attended with representatives from multiple institutions. Discussion and activities encouraged innovative thought on the use of AI in assessment design and implementation. Jason broadly discussed the recently published TEQSA guidelines and principles related to the use of AI.

The Conference kicked off with a magical flourish, including perfect weather, a warm welcome from DVCS Professor Romy Lawson and a poignant, thought-provoking ‘Welcome to Country’ from Uncle Mickey Kumatpi Marrutya O’Brien, Senior Kaurna and Narrunga man. Associate Professor Jack Wang from the University of Queensland and winner of multiple national teaching awards, including the 2020 Australian Teacher of the Year, extended the magic of the morning with an exciting, engaging, and inspiring keynote address.

   

Over the day, 48 presenters shared their high-quality innovative education research and SoTL through presentations, roundtable discussions and workshops. In 2023, the HERGA executive launched new initiatives to include Student as Partners and SoTL presentations. The Roundtable session included nine inciteful SoTL discussions.

The conference wrapped up with two Fishbowl prize winners – Dr Anna Szorenyi (University of Adelaide) a $50 gift card and Ms Amanda Wray (Flinders University) a HERDSA Annual membership.

The feedback from delegates throughout the day was overwhelmingly positive, with multiple people commenting that ‘Associate Professor Edward Palmer, Chair of HERGA, had the most amazing smile throughout the day’. Edward commented:

“The team at Flinders delivered a wonderful day of high-quality presentations beginning with a warm welcome from DVCS Professor Romy Lawson and an engaging and inspiring Welcome to Country from Uncle Mickey. They were supported selflessly by HERGA colleagues from UniSA and the University of Adelaide in reviewing articles, developing the program, and supporting our media presence. In my opinion this was the best conference we’ve had and was a great example of the collegiality and collaboration HERGA sees every year. Thank you, Flinders!”

AI Workshop Presenter, Associate Professor Jason Lodge wrote:

HERGA was brilliant. It’s the kind of thing that many of us in the other states aspire to but never seem to be able to pull off anywhere near as well as you are.

Keynote speaker, Associate Professor Jack Wang wrote: 

“A great conference! Thank you again for the invite and congrats to everyone on the exec for hosting and planning a great meeting.  I got a lot out of the day and hope the attendees did too.”

Belinda McPherson, Educational Manager tafeSA provided this feedback from their delegates:

“Firstly, congratulations to you and your team on a fabulous 2023 HERGA conference this year.  Well done to all of you, we know how much work is put into making these events successful. Also thank you so much for extending tickets for tafeSA staff. We really appreciate this.  I know my team and I got a lot of great information out of today and we are already looking forward to next year.”

The 2023 HERGA conference was undeniably a smashingly successful event, and events like this take a community of devoted people to organise and roll out.

A special thanks to the following:

• Support team from the Office of the DVCS led by Ms Sophie Katchor, with a special mention of Ms Lou Allen
• DVCS Professor Romy Lawson
• Uncle Mickey Kumatpi Marrutya O’Brien, Senior Kaurna and Narrunga man
• Flinders Caretakers, Electrician, IDS Support, Security, and Cleaners
• Alere At Flinders Catering Staff led by Mary Coventry
• HERGA Communications Team – Dr Stuart Baulk, Ms Katrina McLachlan, and Dr Colin Sharp
• Photographer for the day: Mr Brenton Edwards
• Flinders Student and Staff Volunteers: Angela, Alyssa, Beth, Carolyn, Desi, Katherine, Kevin, Lennie, Lisa, Soni, Kevin, Katherine, Natalie, Safira, Saumya, Soni, Dr Narelle Hunter and Associate Professor Munish Puri

The Flinders HERGA Executive Team, Chair of HERGA, and the HERGA Conference Workshop group extend our warmest appreciation to all contributors and delegates who helped make the HERGA 2023 Conference a resounding success!

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Dr Jeanne Young Kirby, Dr Liu Fei Tan, Mr Paul Cooper, and Associate Professor Voula Gaganis, Flinders HERGA Executive Team

Associate Professor Edward Palmer, Chair of HERGA

The HERGA Conference Working Group