AAUT & UniSA Breakfast Series: May
30 April, 2025
Watch the recording HERE.
‘From Small Things, Big Things Grow’: Simulation-Based Education within Postgraduate Psychology as a Case Example of How One Idea Can Lead to a Bourgeoning Program of Educational Leadership
Presented by Associate Professor Josephine Paparo (Macquarie University)
8.00 – 9.00 AM (ACST) Thursday 8th May 2025
Hosted by UniSA’s Teaching Innovation Unit
ABSTRACT: In the context of increasing numbers of teaching intensive positions within the higher education sector, how does one go about building a program of educational leadership? Often the focus of such roles is the delivery of teaching enterprise, which is undeniably critical to the creation of transformative learning experiences for students. However, such activities can easily become all-consuming for the teaching-focussed academic, especially those new to academia. This risks the cultivation of an environment where engagement with the broader educational contexts in which we practice is deprioritised. In this presentation, we will explore how from one idea multiple opportunities for pedagogical innovation and educational leadership beyond direct teaching endeavour can arise. A case example from postgraduate psychology of an initiative originally intended to address placement shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic via simulation-based education will be used to illustrate how by harnessing the power of collaboration, educators can become change-makers and cultivate a multi-faceted portfolio that showcases a strong commitment to educational excellence and leadership.
BIO: Josephine Paparo is an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology and Teaching & Leadership focussed academic at Macquarie University, where she makes extensive contributions to both undergraduate and postgraduate psychology education. She is particularly passionate about training future psychologists and has held several leadership positions in postgraduate psychology across multiple institutions. She has a keen research interest in the optimisation of education and training, as well as supporting colleagues to thrive, succeed, and meet their career aspirations. Josephine’s contributions to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning are evidenced by a range of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and seminars on related topics. In recognition of her local and national contributions to psychology education and training, she was awarded a Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Teaching Excellence Award in 2021, Senior Fellowship with Advance HE and the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s Educational Leader Award in 2023, and a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student learning as part of the Australian Awards for University Teaching in 2024.