Call for Papers

With the release of the Bradley Review of Australian Higher Education, a major structural reform of the education sector has been intimated that obliges all tertiary institutions to put greater emphasis on students’ experiences and pathways, the knowledge they gain, the skills they will use, the public good they will deliver, creating a new “student-centred, demand-driven” higher education system.

The 2009 Monash Transition, Retention and Progression Forum (to be held on 9 and 10 December 2009 at the Caulfield Campus) will provide an opportunity for academic and professional staff to address these challenges by sharing ideas, initiatives and proven strategies that aim to enhance student transition into university, and their ability to successfully complete their chosen course of study.

Now in its second year, the Forum will be open to interested Monash staff and staff from other Victorian universities and secondary schools.

Submission of papers for concurrent sessions is sought from staff working with international students and the under-represented groups in higher education – particularly those working with Indigenous students, students from low socio-economic backgrounds and those from regional locations. Wherever possible, it is encouraged that such papers are co-presented with students.

The following are the possible topics for session contributions:

Low SES student transition and retention
Indigenous student transition and retention
International student transition and retention
Social inclusion
Curricula developments

Forum Paper Proposals must be submitted by no later than 5pm 8 September 2009

Abstracts must be no more than 250 words
Proposals must be submitted on the attached forms
Proposals submitted by fax will not be accepted

The organising committee will contact you to notify the outcome of your submission by 26 October 2009.

Criteria for selection of papers for the Forum

Quality:

Overall quality of the proposed paper will be the most important criterion. The proposal should clearly state the scope and significance of the topic to the potential audience. Consideration will be given to the design of the delivery, the scope of its content, and the expertise of the presenter.

Relevance:

Proposed papers will be evaluated for relevance to the intended audience and must address the conference themes.

Clarity and Unity of Design:

The proposal should show evidence of planning structure and indicate possibilities for audience interaction.

Selection Process

Program proposals will be evaluated by the Organising Committee based on appropriateness and consistency with the themes selected for the forum. As the purpose of the 2009 Monash Transition Retention and Progression Forum is to provide an opportunity to academic and professional staff in the education community to share best practice, initiatives and demonstrated outcomes that aim to enhance student transition into university and their ability to successfully complete their chosen course of study, we will feature more informal discussions/sessions and papers that will not be refereed for selection.

Papers/Presentation – 35 mins duration (25mins presentation time, 10mins discussion)

These sessions are appropriate for presentations addressing institutional initiatives, emerging trends, current topics/issues and broad concepts.

Workshop – 35mins duration (15mins presentation, 20mins discussion)

This format allows attendees the opportunity to explore, review and examine the practical aspects of designing and implementing institutional initiatives, learning innovations and programs that address the forum’s themes. The focus of these sessions is the “nuts and bolts, or “how-tos”, of the activities rather than the theories underpinning the activity. A detailed outline which explains the innovation or activity should be submitted. Sufficient information needs to be provided to allow the organising committee to determine the quality of the discussion and the relevance of the topic to the conference theme. Three (3) pages are usually sufficient.

Panel/Group Discussion – 35 mins of facilitated discussion

Panel/Group discussions are designed to promote open discussion around a specific topic/theme. Rather than making a formal presentation, session facilitators will lead the discussions, which should not emphasise any one program or institutional initiative, but rather give all session attendees an opportunity to share ideas and experiences. A detailed outline to be used to facilitate discussion should be submitted – less than three (3) pages will be sufficient.

Student Submissions:

Special consideration will be given to any submission from students. Potential participants are asked to encourage student submissions or make joint submissions.

Data Projector, PC and Screen will be provided in each room. Authors are required to bring a copy of their presentation on a memory stick / USB

Please contact oce@adm.monash.edu.au with any enquiries or changes.