Synopsis

This keynote argues the need for a more systematic approach to quality assurance and improvement in teaching and learning at a number of levels: the individual, institution, discipline, national and international. It suggests that quality assurance continues to grow in importance and that associated with this is the need for a new emphasis at the institutional level, including articulation of an agreed institutional approach to: quality, performance indicators, targets, remediation, recognition of excellence, uptake of good practice and accountability. Examples of these elements working in practice are demonstrated.

Two inhibitors to the systematic development of quality assurance and improvement are discussed: intra-institutional accountability as a result of the dual institutional structures of line management as opposed to the committee system and management by influence, and the lack of professionalisation as an anchor for the induction, qualification, continuing professional development and charting of progress for teachers in higher education and the discourse of teaching in higher education.

About the Speaker

Professor Graham Webb is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of New England. He holds the qualifications of BA Honours, MSc, PhD with distinction and PGCE. His career includes seven years at the University of Ulster in Ireland, six years at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, eleven years at the University of Otago in New Zealand, eleven years at Monash University in Australia and he took up his position at the University of New England in July 2008.  As Deputy Vice-Chancellor his role is to provide leadership in the areas of teaching, learning, research and research training and to act as Vice-Chancellor as required. 

Graham is author or editor of nine books, numerous book chapters and journal articles concerning the theory and practice of teaching and learning in higher education and staff development. He is an Editorial Advisory Board member for five international journals. He chaired the first and subsequent audits for the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) and is a trainer, auditor and/or consultant for national academic audit agencies in six countries.  In 2008 he was received the Australian Higher Education Quality Award.