Logo image
The ‘messy’ business of academic developers leading other academic developers: Critical reflection on a curriculum realignment exercise
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The ‘messy’ business of academic developers leading other academic developers: Critical reflection on a curriculum realignment exercise

Sharon Thomas and Moira Cordiner
International Journal for Academic Development, Vol.19(4), pp.293-304
2014
url
https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2014.895732View
Published Version

Abstract

change agent change recipient emotions identity leadership resistance
Little has been written about academic developers (ADs) working in teams leading other ADs. This paper chronicles the experience of a group of ADs in one Australian university working on a curriculum realignment exercise. Unexpectedly the dominant theme in participants' reflections was group dynamics, not the process. We were confronted by unstated assumptions about ADs working collaboratively and shocked to realise that ADs, like academics, resist change. Our interpretation of that 'resistance' was a salutary reminder of the extent to which academic development work reflects broader social, political, and institutional contexts and discourses. Parallels between this context and ADs working with academics are drawn.

Details

Metrics

10 File views/ downloads
664 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas
Education & Educational Research

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#4 Quality Education

Source: InCites

Logo image