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Associate Professor Karin Watson

Associate Professor Karin Watson

Senior Lecturer
Div Edu & Student Exp
PVCESE Office

I am Director, Education at UNSW Sydney Pro-Vice Chancellor office, a Scientia Education Academy Fellow, and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture. I am also Director of the UNSW Education Focussed Program and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK).

My teaching expertise focuses on the student experience, particularly the role of student feedback literacy and creating a sense of belonging in the first-year educational context. My education leadership experience extends to building capability and learning communities amongst peers in higher education environments through national and international mentorship and leadership programs. I have worked and studied in London, Cape Town and Sydney and received several international and national awards, citations, accreditation and fellowships for teaching and education excellence.

I have developed sustainable and scalable professional development programs such as the Learning to Teach Online Project, created numerous Open Educational Resources (OER) and initiatives, and have led or project managed several competitive grants and multi-institutional projects such as OnTask.
E-mail
karin@unsw.edu.au
Location
Room F217E UNSW Australia | Art & Design Greens Road, Paddington Sydney, NSW 2021 Australia
  • Books | 2009
    Zehner RB; Forsyth G; Musgrave E; Neale D; de la Harpe B; Frankham N; Peterson F; Watson K; Wilson SE, 2009, Curriculum Development in Studio Teaching, Volume One STP Final Report, UNSW Studio Teaching Project, Kensington, http://www.studioteaching.org/?page=reports
  • Book Chapters | 2015
    McIntyre SD; Watson K; Mirriahi N, 2015, 'Learning to Teach Online - Evolving approaches to professional development for global reach and impact', in Remenyi D (ed.), e-Learning Excellence Awards 2015: An anthology of case histories, Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited, Reading, UK, pp. 128 - 140, http://www.academic-bookshop.com/ourshop/prod_4166018-eLearning-Excellence-Awards-2015-An-Anthology-of-Case-Histories.html
    Book Chapters | 2015
    Watson K; McIntyre SD; Bennett R, 2015, 'Maintaining Quality And Relevance In Cross-Disciplinary Art And Design Online Education.', in Hoey IV JJ; Ferguson JL (ed.), Reframing Quality Assurance in Creative Disciplines: Evidence from Practice, Common Ground Publishing LLC, Champaign, Illinois, USA, pp. 86 - 106, http://theartsinsociety.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.192/prod.20
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Cumming TM; Bugge ASJ; Kriss K; McArthur I; Watson K; Jiang Z, 2023, 'Diversified: promoting co-production in course design and delivery', Frontiers in Education, 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1329810
    Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Design principles for dual mode readiness in an uncertain future', , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2022.2147094
    Journal articles | 2011
    Watson K; McIntyre S; McArthur I, 2011, 'Trust and Relationship Building: Critical Skills for the Future of Design Education in Online Contexts', Iridescent, 1, pp. 22 - 29, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19235003.2011.11428486
    Journal articles | 2009
    Watson K; Mcintyre SD; Mcarthur IW, 2009, 'Trust and relationship building: Critical skills for the future of design education in online contexts', Iridescent: Icograda Journal of Design Research, 1, pp. 22 - 29, http://iridescent.icograda.org/about/volume_i:_2009-2011.php
  • Creative Works (non-textual) | 2023
    McArthur I; Bugge A; Kriss K; Cumming T; Thiele K; Jiang V, 2023, ADA x Health STORYBOX, ADA x Health, UNSW, 23 October 2023 - 17 November 2023, medium: Digital Installation, at: https://www.unsw.edu.au/arts-design-architecture/our-research/ada-x-health?mc_cid=cc57864c43&mc_eid=4f33a53c19
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2023
    McArthur I; Kriss K; Cumming T; Watson K, 2023, Storybox: Co-designing digital inclusion using participatory public space media with neurodiverse communities, Storybox: Co-designing digital inclusion using participatory public space media with neurodiverse communities, Customs House, Sydney NSW, 17 April 2023 - 17 April 2023, at: https://www.disabilityinnovation.unsw.edu.au/diversified-storybox-sydney
    Conference Abstracts | 2023
    Spackman S; Thiele K; Fleischner C, 2023, 'Education Focussed CoPs and impact of third space roles’', in HERDSA 2023 Onsite program abstract book, Brisbane, Australia, presented at Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA), Brisbane, Australia, 04 July 2023 - 07 July 2023
    Conference Abstracts | 2023
    Thiele K; Fleischner C, 2023, 'Walking the talk: navigating educational leadership in academia’', in HERDSA 2023 Onsite Oral abstract book, Brisbane, Australia, presented at Higher Education Research & Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA), Brisbane, Australia, 04 July 2023 - 07 July 2023
    Conference Papers | 2023
    Watson K; Fleischner C, 2023, 'THE EDUCATION FOCUSSED PROGRAM AT UNSW – BUILDING EDUCATIONAL ACADEMIC CAREERS IN A RESEARCH-INTENSIVE UNIVERSITY', in INTED2023 Proceedings, IATED, presented at 17th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, 06 March 2023 - 07 March 2023, http://dx.doi.org/10.21125/inted.2023.2074
    Conference Posters | 2021
    Thiele K; Wardrop J; Birzniece V; Campbell P; Crea T; Gooi C; Gribble L; Honson V; Helme-Guizon L; Kim J; Maloney C; Peters E; Mills E; Costello E, 2021, 'Connecting Threads – Enriching the EF Community', Sydney, Australia, presented at UNSW Office of the PVC Education 2020 Learning and Teaching Forum, Sydney, Australia, 21 November 2021 - 21 November 2020, https://viewer.joomag.com/education-festival-poster-ebooklet-2021/0772802001637307966?short&
    Conference Posters | 2020
    Thiele K; Spackman S, 2020, 'Capability and Community Building: The New education Focussed Support Community of Practice', Sydney, Australia, presented at UNSW Office of the PVC Education 2020 Learning and Teaching Forum: Learning without Limits, Sydney, Australia, - , https://viewer.joomag.com/education-festival-poster-ebooklet-2021/0772802001637307966?short&
    Conference Posters | 2019
    Thiele K, 2019, 'Blended learning - a whole faculty approach', Chania, Greece, presented at InternationalConference on Information Technologies in Education (ICICTE) 2019, Chania, Greece, 04 July 2019 - 06 July 2019
    Conference Posters | 2018
    Lutze-Mann L; Amberer M; Bilbao J; Binder T; Carlon S; Chen Z; Davis S; Dedova I; Eaton R; Holdom R; Jones P; Kanapathipillai K; Lapere K; Liu K; Mak C; Neal P; Oliver C; Pather N; Smith F; Sulway S; Taylor S; Velan G; Watson K, 2018, 'Digital assessment: empowering students and supporting teachers through innovative student-oriented educational practices', UNSW Sydney, presented at 2018 UNSW Learning and Teaching Forum — Partners in Learning: Connecting Communities, UNSW Sydney, 26 October 2018
    Conference Posters | 2018
    Thiele K, 2018, 'Evolving leadership, administration, professional development and culture to establish a sustainable, scalable blended learning strategy’', Sydney, Australia, presented at Partners in Learning: Connecting Communities, Sydney, Australia, 26 October 2018 - 26 October 2018, https://www.teaching.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/upload-files/staff/Poster%20eBooklet%202018%20(web%20version).pdf
    Conference Papers | 2012
    Watson K; McIntyre S, 2012, '"Too hard, too busy": A case study in overcoming these barriers to online teaching', in Proceedings of the European Conference on e-Government, ECEG, pp. 453 - 460
    Conference Papers | 2012
    Watson K; Mcintyre SD, 2012, 'Too hard, too busy. A case study in overcoming these barriers to online teaching', in Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on e-Learning, Academic Publishing International, Reading, UK, pp. 453 - 460, presented at ICEL 2012 - 7th International Conference on E-Learning, Hong Kong, 21 June 2012 - 22 June 2012
    Conference Papers | 2010
    Zehner RB; Forsyth G; Frankham N; Musgrave E; Neale D; Peterson F; Watson K; Wilson SE; de la Harpe B, 2010, 'Optimising Studio Outcomes: Guidelines for Curriculum Development from the Australian Studio Teaching Project', in ConnectED 2010: proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Design Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, pp. 1 - 5, presented at CONNECTED2010 International Conference on Design Education, Sydney, 28 June 2010 - 01 July 2010, http://connected2010.eproceedings.com.au/papers/p436.pdf
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Mcintyre SD; Watson K; Laren S, 2009, 'Strategies for large scale blended learning initiatives: Training, teaching and management', in Proceedings of the Fourth International Blended Learning Conference, University of Hertfordshire Press, Hertfordshire UK, pp. 295 - 308, presented at 4th International Blended Learning Conference, Hertfordshire United Kingdom, 17 June 2009 - 18 June 2009, http://www.unsworks.unsw.edu.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=UNSWORKS&docId=unsworks_7750
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Watson K; Mcintyre SD; Mcarthur IW, 2009, 'Trust and relationship building: critical skills for the future of design education in online contexts', in Proceedings of the 2009 Icograda Education Network World Design Congress Education Conference, Icograda, Beijing, China, presented at 2009 Icograda Education Network World Design Congress Education Conference, Beijing, China, 24 October 2009 - 30 October 2009
    Conference Papers | 2007
    Corkery LF; Roche B; Watson K; Zehner RB, 2007, 'Transforming Design Studio Learning and Teaching Through Real World, Interdisciplinary Projects', in ConnecED 2007 International Conference on Design Education, Sydney, University of New South Wales, presented at ConnectED 2007 International Conference on Design Education, Sydney, 09 July 2007 - 12 July 2007
    Conference Papers | 2007
    Mcarthur IW; Mcintyre SD; Watson K, 2007, 'Preparing Students for the Global Workplace `An Examination of Collaborative Online Learning Approaches`', in ConnecED 2007 International Conference on Design Education, Sydney, University of New South Wales, presented at ConnectED 2007 International Conference on Design Education, Sydney, 09 July 2007 - 12 July 2007
    Conference Papers | 2007
    Watson K; Corkery LF, 2007, 'Designing `in person` - locally and globally', in Flux: Design Education in a changing World, 5th DEFSA International Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, presented at Flux: Design Education in a changing World, 5th DEFSA International Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 03 October 2007 - 05 October 2007


2023 Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET):  'Accessibility in Action Award' for Diversified Project  (Cumming,T. McArthur, I. Kriss, K. Watson, K. Smith, A. Brown, S. Jiang, V. Birman, H. Long, C. with students Bugge, A. Bober, J. Le Cross, C)


2023 Explorance International Faculty Research Grant - 'Fostering Student Belonging in a Post-COVID flexible classroom' (Watson, K. Saintilan, N. Fleischner, C.)

One of 12 International research grant recipients from institutions across the globe. Explorance grants represent a broad spectrum of topics that will advance the discovery of new knowledge and understanding of the use of various types of experience data including, but not limited to, assessment and course evaluation data for teaching effectiveness and student success.

2022 International Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Award: 'Nurturing Employability The UNSW EF Program' finalist (Watson, K. Fleischner, C, Lutze-Mann, L)

The International Reimagine Education Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of Education – reward innovative approaches that enhance student learning outcomes and employability.

2022 Advance HE: International Global Impact Grant - 'The UNSW EF Program'  (Fleischner, C. Watson, K.  Lutze-Mann, L)

One of 17 Global Impact Grants awarded to international Advance HE members to share success stories about higher education projects that have had a demonstrable impact on their staff or students.

2019 The KPMG Inspiring Teacher Award in a First Year Undergraduate Program - nomination (Watson, K)

The award celebrates teachers who create rich learning environments and provide a consistently excellent educational experience for students. All 2019 UNSW students enrolled in a first year undergraduate program were invited to nominate and vote to determine the recipient of the award.

2019 UNSW President's Award - nomination for 'Driving Innovation' (Watson, K)

The President's Award is a peer nominated award for staff to recognise and celebrate those who light up UNSW by actively demonstrating the UNSW 'Values in Action'. Nominees are recognised not only for what they do but how they approach their work; and their ability to energise colleagues and be supportive. 

2018 Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy UK (now Advance HE) (Watson, K)

Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) constitutes internationally accredited and quality-assured professional recognition that I have successfully evidenced "a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning", including successful peer engagement, influence and leadership. 

2017 UNSW Scientia Education Academy Fellow (Watson, K)

Appointed as one of 35 members of the UNSW Scientia Education Academy. The Academy comprises outstanding UNSW educators who have achieved recognition at the University, national or international level through significant learning and teaching activities, grants, awards, fellowships, major national or international projects or professional society recognition.

2015 International Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards: 3 Awards for The Learning to Teach Online Programs (McIntyre, S. Watson, K. & Mirriahi, N.)

  • Regional Oceania (2nd place): 
  • Arts And Humanities (2nd Place) 
  • Nurturing Employability (Joint 3rd) 
  • The Wharton-QS Stars Awards are a global competition awarding the best educational innovations worldwide. 22 awards were issued in 2015, judged by a panel of 40 international experts. 520 universities and enterprises from 50 countries entered the competition. 

2015 ACPI: The E-Learning Excellence Award - The Learning to Teach Online Programs (McIntyre, S. Watson, K. & Mirriahi, N.) 

  • Finalist: The e-Learning Excellence Awards highlight best examples of e-Learning use through case histories provided by academics, teachers, business professionals or students

2012 MERLOT Award for Exemplary Online Learning Resources – MERLOT Classics (USA) Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Teaching (McIntyre, S., & Watson, K.)

2011 ASCILITE Innovation and Excellence Award. Australian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (McIntyre, S., & Watson, K.)

2010 DEAN'S AWARD For Outstanding Teaching Innovations - COFA (Watson, K)

  • 'For Outstanding Teaching Innovations '

2008 Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Citation (Corkery, L. Quinlan, A. Roche, B and Watson, K)

  • Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning 'For commitment to a service-oriented approach to collaborative built environment design learning that connects community, students and university in mutually beneficial relationships.'