HERDSA Annual Conference 2027

Click the link for the preview of the 2027 Conference. https://conference.herdsa.org.au/2027/
National Convention Centre, Canberra ACT

Join us from 5–8 July 2027 as the Annual HERDSA Conference heads to Canberra.  

Hosted in Canberra, the nation’s capital, by the ACT and NSW branches, the conference offers a timely setting for conversations about the relationship between higher education, policy, community, professional practice and civic life. It will provide an inclusive and energising space for educators, researchers, academic developers, learning designers, leaders, students and other stakeholders to share ideas, examine challenges, and explore how educational leadership can reconnect purpose with action. 

The HERDSA 2027 theme, Re-valuing Higher Education: Renewing Purpose, Possibility, and Practice, invites us to pause, reflect and consider the purpose is of higher education, who it serves, and how its value can be strengthened in changing times. 

Across Australasia and beyond, higher education is navigating significant social, economic, technological and institutional shifts. These changes bring complexity, but they also create an important opportunity to renew our collective commitment to learning, teaching, scholarship, leadership and the public good. HERDSA 2027 will foreground the strengths, creativity and commitment that exist across the sector, while creating space to engage constructively with both the challenges and opportunities shaping higher education. 

Through keynotes, scholarly presentations, workshops, interactive sessions and networking opportunities, HERDSA 2027 will support critical dialogue, evidence-informed practice and collegial exchange across the sector. Together, we will explore how higher education can be re-valued through inclusive practice, curriculum innovation, assessment renewal, student partnership, academic development and research-informed change. 

The conference kicks off with pre-conference workshops on Monday 5 July, followed by three days of thought-provoking keynotes, interactive sessions, and meaningful connections with colleagues from Australia, Asia, and beyond. Can’t make it in person? Join us for a dedicated one-day virtual program on Tuesday 6 July designed to bring the conversation to you – wherever you are. 

We look forward to welcoming you to HERDSA 2027 in Canberra, the nation’s capital, where our community will come together to renew connection, confidence and shared purpose, and strengthen higher education’s contribution to the public good. 

Conference Grants

HERDSA is able to offer a number of conference grants to support delegates to attend the conference.  The call for applications will be made around the time that submissions close.  The deadline for applications will be advised shortly. Having a presentation accepted for the conference is one of the criteria for being awarded a grant.

HERDSA Student Conference Grant (Up to 10 grants of  $1500 each)

Deadline for applications: 5pm AEDST, 8 April 2027

Up to six conference grants of  AUD$1,500 each are available to support an under-graduate or post-graduate student to attend and participate in the HERDSA conference. The conference grant can be used to support travel, accommodation or subsistence of the successful applicant.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• can demonstrate financial hardship (e.g. geographical location or other personal circumstances)
• are able to attend the full conference
• have an accepted conference presentation based on their research or project 
• are the sole author of the presentation (if joint, indicate percentage contribution) and will lead the presentation at the conference
• are willing to make a contribution to HERDSA Connect if asked
• have had limited, or no, opportunities to attend similar conferences
• have not previously received a HERDSA conference grant (Student, Taylor & Francis, Early Career).

To apply, complete the HERDSA Student Conference Grant Application Form and email to Office@herdsa.org.au by the due date.

Applicants must also submit a supporting letter from the applicant’s research supervisor, including a statement indicating that the applicant complies with the criteria.

HERDSA Early Career Conference Grant (Ten grants up to $1500 each)

Deadline for applications: 5pm AEDST, 8 April 2027

HERDSA aims to support early career staff (academic and professional) in teaching and learning. Participating in the annual HERDSA conference is an opportunity for early career staff to present their research or practice in teaching and learning in higher education, network with experienced scholars, and learn from colleagues.

Early career is defined as not more than five years cumulative experience in higher education.

Up to ten conference grants of AUD$1,500 each are available to support early career staff (academic or professional) to attend and participate in the HERDSA conference. The conference grant can be used to support travel, accommodation or subsistence of the successful applicant.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• can demonstrate financial hardship (e.g. geographical location or other personal circumstances)
• will attend and participate in the full conference
• have an accepted conference presentation based on their research or practice
• are the sole author of the presentation (if joint, indicate percentage contribution) and will lead the presentation at the conference
• are willing to write a contribution to HERDSA Connect 
• have had limited or no opportunities to attend similar conferences
• have not previously received a HERDSA conference grant (Student, Taylor & Francis, Early Career).
• Priority for one grant will be given to applicants identifying as Indigenous/First Nations (eg Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori or Pacific Nations).

To apply, download the HERDSA Early Career Conference Grant Application Form and email to office@herdsa.org.au by the due date.

TAYLOR & FRANCIS CONFERENCE GRANT (FIVE GRANTS OF UP TO $500 EACH)

Deadline for applications: 5pm AEDST, 8 April 2027

Taylor & Francis, the publishers of HERDSA’s journal Higher Education Research & Development (HERD) is a sponsor of the annual HERSDA conference. As part of that sponsorship, HERDSA is able to offer five conference grants of up to AUD$500 each to support HERDSA members attend the annual HERDSA conference. The conference grant can be used to support travel, accommodation or subsistence of the successful applicant.

The Taylor & Francis conference grants are open to all current HERDSA members.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• are able to attend the full conference (applicants for single day registration will be considered)
• have been accepted to make a presentation at the HERDSA conference
• are willing to make a contribution to HERDSA Connect if asked
• have had limited or no opportunities to attend similar conferences
• are able to demonstrate financial hardship (e.g. student, geographical location, no institutional support or other personal circumstances)
• have not previously received a HERDSA conference grant (Student, Taylor & Francis, Early Career).

To apply, download the Taylor & Francis Conference Travel Grant Application Form and email to office@herdsa.org.au by the due date.

Assessment of Applications

Applications for conference grants will be assessed by a sub-committee of the HERDSA Executive. Applicants will be selected on the basis of demonstrated need and the quality of the application. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified as soon as possible so that all applicants can take advantage of the early bird registration rate.

HERDSA Prize for Best Presentation by a Student ($500)

(Judged by members of the HERDSA Executive during the conference)

The purpose of the prize is to encourage students to disseminate their work at national and international higher education conferences. Applicants must be presenting a showcase at the HERDSA conference in order to be eligible for this prize.

•  Presenters will be judged on their ability to effectively communicate as well as on the academic content of their presentation.
• The prize (AUD$500) will be awarded at the annual HERDSA Conference and is usually presented at the closing ceremony of the conference.

HERDSA Prize for Best Poster (up to 4 prizes totaling $1100)

All posters are eligible for this prize and eligible for one of up to four prizes to a total of AUD$1100. The purpose of these prizes is to promote and recognise excellence in the ability to visually communicate ideas, findings or outcomes related to tertiary education.

1. Onsite poster winner - $500
2. Virtual poster winner - $400 
3. Runner up onsite $100
4. Runner up virtual $100

Posters will be assessed by conference delegates – on both the ability to visually communicate as well as on the academic content of the poster. The best poster prizes will be awarded to the posters that receive the highest number of votes.

Conference participants are likely to be able to vote using the conference mobile app which will work on any smartphone, tablet, or computer connected to the internet.

Past HERDSA Conferences

• 2026 Re-envisioning Higher Education for Tomorrow's Learners  Singapore  National University of Singapore
• 2025 Shaping Education, Past, Present and Future  Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth Western Australia
• 2024 Together We Innovate  Adelaide, South Australia
• 2023 Research and Development in Higher Education  Brisbane, Queensland
• 2022 Melbourne, Victoria
• 2020 and 2021 Conferences were cancelled due to COVID
• 2019 Next Generation Higher Education, Auckland, New Zealand
• 2018 [Re] Valuing Higher Education, Adelaide, South Australia
• 2017 Curriculum Transformation, Sydney, New South Wales
• 2016 The Shape of Higher Education, Perth, Western Australia
• 2015 Learning for Life and Work in a Complex World, Melbourne, Victoria
• 2014 Higher Education in a Globalised World, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
• 2013 The Place of Learning and Teaching, Auckland, New Zealand
• 2012 Connections in Higher Education, Hobart, Tasmania
• 2011 Higher Education on the Edge, Gold Coast, Queensland
• 2010 Reshaping Higher Education, Melbourne, Victoria
• 2009 The Student Experience, Darwin, Northern Territory
• 2008 Engaging Communities, Rotorua New Zealand
• 2007 Enhancing Higher Education, Theory and Scholarship, Adelaide South Australia
• 2006 Critical Visions, Perth Western Australia
• 2005 Higher Education in a Changing World, Sydney New South Wales
• 2004 Transforming knowledge into wisdom : holistic approaches to teaching and learning, Miri, Sarawak Malaysia
• 2003 Learning for an Unknown Future, Christchurch, New Zealand
• 2002 Quality Conversations, Perth Western Australia
• 2001 Learning Partnerships, Newcastle, New South Wales
• 2000 Flexible Learning for a Flexible Society, Toowoomba, Queensland
• 1999 Cornerstones of higher education, Melbourne, Victoria
• 1998 Transformation in Higher Education, Auckland, New Zealand
• 1997 Advancing International Perspectives, Adelaide, South Australia
• 1996 Different Approaches: Theory and Practice in Higher Education, Perth, Western Australia
• 1995 Higher education : Blending tradition and technology, Rockhampton, Queensland
• 1994 Higher education in Transition, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
• 1993 Challenging the conventional wisdom in higher education, Sydney, New South Wales
• 1992 Academia under Pressure. Theory and Practice for the 21st Century, Churchill, Victoria
• 1991 Towards 2000: Trends in Tertiary Teaching, Wellington. New Zealand
• 1990 Teaching for effective learning, Brisbane, Queensland
• 1989 Breaking the mould, Adelaide, South Australia
• 1988 Melbourne, Victoria
• 1987 Reflection and Prospect, Perth, Western Australia
• 1986 The Learner in Higher Education : A Forgotten Species?, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
• 1985 Adaptation and change in tertiary education, Auckland, New Zealand
• 1984 Education, training & employment, Sydney, New South Wales
• 1983 Tertiary Education in the Eighties: Paths to Reward and Growth, Brisbane, Queensland
• 1982 Issues and solutions in teaching and learning in higher education, Sydney, New South Wales
• 1981 Essential elements of teaching and learning in higher education, Melbourne, Victoria
• 1980 Freedom and control in higher education, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
• 1979 Brisbane, Queensland
• 1978 Research and development in higher education, Adelaide, South Australia
• 1977 Higher Education in a steady state, Sydney, New South Wales
• 1976 Melbourne, Victoria
• 1975 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory