Speaker: Professor Kerri-Lee Krause (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students), University of Melbourne, Australia

Curriculum Considerations in supercomplex times

This keynote will explore some of the key curriculum challenges and opportunities facing higher education institutions, students and staff as we transition to a ‘post-COVID normal’ context. The presentation will reflect on change vectors shaping undergraduate university curricula, not the least of which is the impact of the global ‘pivot’ to online and blended curriculum design and delivery that has occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will consider ways in which higher education curricula function as bellwethers and barometers in a supercomplex, ever-changing environment. Whether these changes result from government policy shifts, sociopolitical and labour market forces, or economic imperatives, curricula are not immune from the impact of such changes. In this context, a fundamental question arises: how shall we make prudent decisions about what to change and what is enduring in higher education curricula in tumultuous times?  The keynote will conclude with practical suggestions for students and staff to consider as they engage in the important work of curriculum co-creation and transformation.

Speaker biography

Professor Kerri-Lee Krause (PhD, PFHEA, FSRHE, MAICD) is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Life) and Deputy Provost at The University of Melbourne where she is accountable for the quality of the student experience, wellbeing and outcomes across all elements of the student life. She is an experienced university executive who is internationally recognised for her contributions to higher education policy, research and practice. Professor Krause is an Honorary Professorial Fellow, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, a lifetime fellow of the international Society for Research in Higher Education and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research program spans higher education curriculum renewal, the changing nature of academic work, and factors influencing higher education quality and standards.

Professor Krause holds the Ministerial appointment of Deputy Chair, Higher Education Standards Panel and also led the Ministerial Implementation Working Group for the Transparency of Higher Education Admissions.  Recent sector-wide leadership roles include Chair, Universities Australia Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Committee and co-Chair, Universities Australia Executive Women’s Committee.

Professor Krause has a track record of leading university-wide strategic change and organisational renewal, underpinned by a deep commitment to engaging students and staff through cultural transformation. Experience includes: systemic improvement of the student experience and outcomes; whole-of-university curriculum renewal; and extensive work on reshaping academic staff promotion policies and processes to recognise and reward contemporary academic work.