New journal on higher education launched

Gaye Morrison

26 September 2006: The Centre for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching and Scholarship (CELTS) at the University of Canberra launched the first issue of its new journal Higher Education Scholar last week.

Designed for academics and those interested in higher education, the national journal aims to increase the flow of communication between academics within and across different universities and between academics and government policy makers.

The journal's editor Dr McConnell-Imbriotis and designer Michelle Van der Linden Photo: Kimberly Douglas

Higher education lecturer and editor of the journal, Alison McConnell-Imbriotis said Higher Education Scholar would discuss the issues that affect the context in which academics work and the experience and practice of academics as teachers and learners.

"The journal discusses the changing nature of the workplace, particularly in light of the political and policy changes that higher education encounters. The email boxes of academics are swamped with messages on new higher education policies, which are full of acronyms and 'important' developments. The journal has a dual purpose. Whilst it is a practical resource for academics it also allows them to have a voice about their experiences as learners and teachers," Dr McConnell-Imbriotis said.

The journal will be multipurpose, to be used as a resource, as a forum for debate, and as a developmental tool. Higher Education Scholar has invited commentary and articles from the key players in the policy sector, academics from within the field of higher education, and practicing academics dealing with the day-to-day practicalities of learning and teaching. It ultimately aims to build a community of practice in scholarship.

The journal will be published in autumn and spring and copies are available from the University of Canberra.