About Us

The HERDSA

The Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia is a scholarly society for people committed to the advancement of higher and tertiary education. It promotes the development of higher education policy, practice and the study of teaching and learning. HERDSA encourages and disseminates research on teaching and learning and higher education development. It also works to build strong academic communities. The current HERDSA Constitution was adopted in 2017.

HERDSA works to:

  • advance educational policy and practice in the higher education and tertiary sector
  • facilitate and promote the enhancement of teaching and learning
  • encourage and disseminate research on higher education and tertiary teaching, learning, development, research, leadership and policy matters
  • recognise and reward outstanding contributions to higher and tertiary education
  • encourage collaboration and the development of professional communities in higher and tertiary education and
  • assist its members in their ongoing professional development.

Website: http://www.herdsa.org.au/

The HERDSA (Hong Kong Branch)

The HERDSA (Hong Kong Branch) was established in 1997 as a local chapter of HERDSA (Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia) which is a scholarly society based in Australia for people committed to the advancement of higher and tertiary education. The establishment of the Hong Kong Chapter was initiated and supported by the then PDQS (Professional Development & Quality Services) of City University of Hong Kong to share best practices and exchange ideas on topics of strategic importance to the local higher education.

Since 1997, HERDSA (Hong Kong Branch) has organised a variety of activities to encourage professional exchanges among higher education scholars and professionals in Hong Kong on a range of interesting topics such as Teaching and Learning Quality Process Reviews (TLQPR), outcome-based education, online student evaluation of teaching, general education, work integrated learning, academic advising, plagiarism, e-portfolio, mobile learning, Student Response System (PRS), and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) etc.

Among different forms of professional activities, dinner dialogue is a signature activity developed by Hong Kong Branch. A typical dinner dialogue begins with a brief introduction by renowned scholars or experienced colleagues from local institutions, followed by open discussion among participants in a relaxed atmosphere at the dinner table.

In 2014, Hong Kong Branch hosted the annual HERDSA Conference. For the first time, HERDSA members were invited to come to this Asia’s world city to meet with colleagues in Hong Kong and nearby regions to look at issues related to the Conference theme Higher Education in a Globalized World.

By hosting the Conference, Hong Kong Branch has earned great experience in organising HERDSA conferences as well as some funding for conducting larger scale activities. To collaborate more closely with local universities and colleagues, HERDSA Hong Kong Branch continues to serve as a platform for the advancement of higher education practices.

Website: https://herdsahk.edublogs.org/

Executive Committee (2024-25)

Dr Anna KWAN (Chair)
Dr Crusher WONG @CityUHK (Vice-chair)
Dr Theresa KWONG @HKBU (Treasurer)
Dr Peter LAU @HKU (Secretary)
Dr Kevin CHAN @PolyU (Event Coordinator)
Dr King CHONG @HKBU (Event Coordinator)
Dr Beatrice CHU @HKUST (Event Coordinator)
Prof Paul LAM @CUHK (Event Coordinator)
Ms Angel LU @CityUHK (Event Coordinator)