Editor Biographies

Annika Herb (she/her) SFHEA is the Education Development Lead at the University of Newcastle. Her research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning, academic development, and young adult literature. She is an Associate Editor of IJYAL, and co-editor of Storying Plants in Australian Children’s and Young Adult Literature (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) and Moving Your University Course Online: Case Studies on Design, Development and Delivery (Routledge 2026).

Clare Lloyd (she/her) is deeply committed to improving the student experience through academic development at the University of Newcastle. Her research focuses on academic development, online education, and technology enhanced learning. She is on the Editorial Board of Advances in Online Education: A Peer-Reviewed Journal, and co-editor of Moving Your University Course Online: Case Studies on Design, Development and Delivery (Routledge 2026).

Anthony Richardson (he/him) is a social scientist and teacher, with 25 years teaching experience across a range of educational contexts. His research interests include the resilience and/or collapse of complex social/technological systems, the pedagogy of educational gaming and the sociology of disaster.

Maria-Teresa Corino (she/her) is a graduate of the Professional Writing Master program at The University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato and works at the University’s Te Puna Ako Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning. She believes in embracing and celebrating diversity, dark chocolate, and commas.

Author Biographies

Jessica Anderson is a passionate disability advocate specialising in rare and hidden disabilities. She holds regional and national leadership roles, working to improve lives and foster inclusion. Jessica’s mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and drive systemic change for a more inclusive society.

Dr Jennifer Baker is currently a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow at the University of Wollongong, recently moving from the University of Newcastle. Jennifer was involved in a number of different teaching roles in both enabling and undergraduate courses while in her previous position at the University of Newcastle.

Sarah Bashir holds a PhD in Human Resource Management and extensive experience in management, health, and leadership. Her research focuses on negative workplace behaviours such as bullying, conflict, and harassment, aiming to design interventions for occupational well-being. She teaches health and management courses and coaches professionals to strengthen leadership skills.

Chelsea Blickem has a background in applied linguistics and ESOL. Chelsea led the University of Waikato’s Pathways College before assuming responsibilities for English language provision. She is currently the acting head of Accessibility Services, where she manages the supports and accommodations offered to disabled students to support them in their studies.

Jennifer Campion is Associate Dean: Special Projects for the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences and a Senior Lecturer at Te Piringa – Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, where she specialises in property and energy law.

Dr Joëlle Coumans (she/her) is a biomedical scientist and health educator, educated in both French and English systems, with a focus on equity, sustainability, and interdisciplinary learning. Her work spans lab research, public health, responsible AI use, PBL, and SDG-aligned curricula to foster socially responsive, globally relevant healthcare education.

Victor Fester is an e-learning designer at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, where he supports academic staff to enhance their teaching practices and their students’ learning through thoughtful use of technology. From time to time, he dabbles in research related to technology in teaching and professional development for tertiary teachers.

Victoria Grace-Bland is a higher education professional leading on student voice and partnership initiatives at the University of Reading, England. She advocates for student centred evaluation and enhancement at an institutional level.

Stephanie Gibbons is a Teaching Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. She has interests in critical thinking and logic, academic integrity, and Plato’s late metaphysics.

Dr Zoë Griffiths is a lecturer in Pathways and Academic Learning Support, University of Newcastle. She is dedicated to advancing active learning practices in STEM education. Her background in science and sociology assists in student-centred, flexible teaching methods. She is a passionate advocate for inclusivity for minority students in science.

Mathew Haine is a higher education professional working on data-informed initiatives to close the awarding gap at the University of Reading, England. He is passionate about belonging and academic success for all students.

Kay Harrison is a Learning Designer at the University of Auckland |  Waipapa Taumata Rau. Her background in inclusive education has fostered her adaptability to be a translator of disciplines, creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire lifelong learning. With expertise in assessment and AI, she emphasises human connections and student-centred approaches to education.

Prof Clovia Holdsworth is the Head of the School of Environmental and Life Sciences, the University of Newcastle. She has contributed to undergraduate Chemistry teaching promoting flexible teaching strategies that enhance student engagement. She is a recipient of various teaching excellence awards including the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2010).

Associate Professor Graeme Horton MB BS PhD MEnvStud FRACGP FARGP is Head of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Newcastle. His research interests include the environmental determinants of health, interprofessional education and student well-being. He is a member of the Medical Council of New South Wales.

Zlata Johnson (she/her) is a lecturer in Pathways and Academic Learning support, University of Newcastle. Zlata holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Distinction with First Class Honours. Her research interests include drug repurposing, creating inclusive teaching spaces in STEM, and enabling/equity pathways into undergraduate medical education.

Alison Jolley (she/her)is a Senior Lecturer in Academic Development and geoscience education specialist based at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. She thrives in collaborating with teaching staff on development that empowers them to experiment with and reflect on practice with the aim of fostering more enriching and inclusive student outcomes.

Michael Kilmister is an academic developer at the University of Reading, England. He specialises in inclusive pedagogies and digital learning in higher education.

Dr Eleonora Leopardi (she/they) MD, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Queensland. Their research focuses on learning environments, student well-being, innovative educational approaches, and clinical reasoning development. As an active educator, Dr Leopardi creates inclusive and nurturing environments that foster self-directed learning strategies.

Melinda Lewis is a higher education scholar with more than 30 years’ experience in Australia. Melinda’s inclusive teaching and research draw on feminist theory and compassionate pedagogy, underpinned by a strong social justice orientation. Shaped by doctoral research on unsettled academic identities, Melinda works within qualitative paradigms and collectivist, transformative approaches to support learning and teaching in times of institutional disruption and change.

Karen Mate is driven by a passion to create powerful learning experiences, both in the classroom and online. Karen has over 15 years’ experience in designing and delivering foundational biomedical science courses, and has introduced a number of innovative pedagogical practices to keep students engaged in their education.

Paul S. McDonald is a media production specialist with over 20 years of experience spanning advertising, visual effects, documentary filmmaking, and instructional media. He is deeply committed to using studio design, data analytics, and post-production workflows to promote equity and enrich the student learning experience.

Angela McGaughran (she/her) is a Senior Lecturer in Biology at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. Her research specialisation is evolutionary biology and the adaptation of species and populations to environmental change.

Dr Michelle Mansfield is Head of Domestic Programs, Pathways and Academic Learning Support, University of Newcastle. Holding a PhD in Sociology and Anthropology, her extensive research experience as an enabling educator focuses on inclusive pedagogies, LGBTQIA+ student experiences, and blended learning in higher education for non-traditional and equity group students.

Dr Alice Neikirk completed her PhD at the Australian National University and is currently a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Newcastle. An award-winning academic, her research explores how marginalised communities engage with powerful institutions, with a focus on driving positive social change.

Nicole Perry is a Senior Lecturer in German and Comparative Literature at the University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau. Her research interests include the German representation of Indigenous North America and Indigenous artists’ reappropriation of the ‘Indianer’ through literature, art, and film. She also teaches and researches on German colonial holdings in Sāmoa.

Gesa Ruge SFHEA, FHERDSA is a Senior Lecturer at the Business School, Curtin University, Western Australia. As discipline researcher and educational scholar, she focuses on student-centred learning, future pedagogies and sustainable mindset attributes. She is an active HERDSA TATALer and facilitator of collaborative reflective practice communities.

Nigel Robertson (he/him/ia) is an eLearning Designer and Learning Technologies Lead for Te Puna Ako, University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. His work is situated at the intersections of learning, teaching development and technology with interests in digital literacy, accessibility, learner experiences of learning, and user experiences of technology.

Dr Emily Rokobauer (she/her) AFHEA is an Assistant Policy Officer with NSW Fair Trading, Department of Customer Service. She has a background in tertiary education and is passionate about inclusive education.

Fariza Sabrina is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Course for Undergraduate ICT Programs in the School of Engineering and Technology at Central Queensland University. She has published extensively across both disciplinary and pedagogical domains. Her research in learning and teaching focuses on academic integrity, curriculum development, inclusive pedagogy, and the integration of emerging technologies such as generative AI.

Salwa (she/her) completed her PhD in Education at the University of Newcastle. She holds MA in TESOL from Flinders University, South Australia. Her research interests include teaching material development and inclusive pedagogies. She was an invited speaker in 2025 Volunteering NSW State Conference to discuss language barriers faced by international students.

Brendan D. Sheridan (he/they) is a Teaching and Learning Developer at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wananga o Waikato. He runs research skills training and has an interest in fostering equity in tertiary education. Additionally, he supports students to improve their academic skills and staff to develop their teaching practice.

Josephine Smith is a Senior Fellow Advance HE, Anatomist, and Education Project Manager, in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (2007-2025), University of Newcastle. Josephine’s clinical and education expertise underpin the design and delivery of engaging undergraduate and postgraduate courses for health and biomedical science students.

Shaleeza Sohail is the Program Convenor of the Master of IT at the University of Newcastle, with extensive experience in curriculum design and delivery. Shaleeza’s research focuses on machine learning and large language models (LLMs), contributing to advancements of intelligent systems and their practical applications in industry and education.

Kate Stevens (she/her) is a Pākehā historian at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wananga o Waikato in Aotearoa New Zealand. She researches and teaches histories of cultural, environmental, and legal exchange in the Pacific world. Her first book, Gender, Violence and Criminal Justice in the Colonial Pacific 1880-1920, was published by Bloomsbury in 2023.

Dr Melissa A. Tadros excels in her quest to design and deliver engaging biomedical science courses that blend asynchronous presentation of theoretical content with hands-on laboratory experiences. Melissa has 15 years’ experience in tertiary education, and is passionate about fostering critical thinking and practical skills that prepare students for real-world biomedical challenges.

Sweta Thakur is Head of School for School of Information Technology (KOI). Responsibilities include course design, TEQSA registration, course accreditation with Australian Computer Society, contributing to teaching and learning whilst managing staff. Research includes digital image processing, medical imaging, machine learning, educational technology, reflective practice, WiL for computing and big data.

Nikita Van Dijk is a passionate disability advocate and researcher disabled by multiple chronic illnesses. They hold key leadership roles nationally, lecture on disability inclusion, and are pursuing a Masters in Disability and Inclusion Studies. Nikita aims to amplify disabled voices and drive systemic change in Aotearoa and beyond.

Stuart Wark is currently Professor of Rural Medicine in the School of Rural Medicine at the University of New England, Armidale. He has a three-decade work history in community-embedded health provision, and his teaching foci are primarily in relation to public health, rurality, and disadvantage.

Dimity J Wehr SFHEA, MA, is a Senior Curriculum Designer with a focus on Work Integrated Learning, sustainability and professional development. Within a teaching and learning research context of generative AI education, collaboration, designing for learning and portfolio assessment, Dimity fosters inclusive, ethical and agentic professionally oriented learning.

Dan Weijers is a senior lecturer in the Philosophy Programme at The University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato and the editor of the International Journal of Wellbeing. He researches wellbeing and the ethics of new technologies.

Aaliya Williams is a politics student at the University of Reading with an interest in promoting diversity and inclusion for underrepresented groups in higher education.

Dr Jude Weidenhofer (she/her) has over 15 years tertiary teaching experience in biomedical science. Jude is passionate about engaging students in their study to become life-long learners. Creating engaging resources that provide for a variety of accessibility requirements, whilst challenging, encouraging, and supporting students are the cornerstones of Jude’s teaching philosophy.

Sadie Whittam is a practising Solicitor, Senior Lecturer and Director of Clinical Legal Education at Lancaster University’s Law School. Sadie convenes numerous innovative modules, and she is the Director of Lancaster University’s national, award-winning Law Clinic. Sadie has won numerous teaching awards, including Oxford University Press’s national Law Teacher of the Year award.

Professor Katie Wynne (she/her) MA (Hons Cantab), MBBS, FRCP, PhD, FRACP is Dean of the Joint Medical Program and Head of the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle. She is an Endocrinologist specialising in transgender medicine. Her research informs policy on gender-affirming care and health equity for marginalised groups.

Dr Elaine Xu (she/her) is a Lecturer in Strategic Communication at the University of Newcastle and a professional member of Communication and Public Relations Australia. As an educator, she is passionate about student inclusion and using digital technologies and innovative teaching strategies to enhance student engagement and success.

Furkan Yazici recently completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, where he also taught undergraduate courses. His research focuses on aesthetics, critical thinking, and human enhancement. He has published in international journals on critical thinking, aesthetics and human and technology relationships.