About Us
Leadership of the Higher Education Research Group (HERG) is located in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
Professor Marcia Devlin is the Director of HERG. Marcia also holds the inaugural Chair in Higher Education Research at Deakin University. Her research interests and expertise span higher education policy, equity, Indigenous higher education, university teaching improvement and student engagement and learning. Current and recent national work includes contributing to federal policy development in Indigenous higher education and equity, the Universities Australia-funded national study of student finances, sitting on the National Advisory Group of the Australian Survey of Student Engagement (the AUSSE) and serving as an Assessor for the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. An active researcher, holding a current Australian Research Council grant, Marcia is frequently invited to deliver national and international keynote addresses, lectures, workshops and seminars to provide advice on a range of topics related to higher education policy, practice and quality. The author and co-author of a large number of reports, articles and studies, she is an Associate Editor of the A-rated journal Higher Education Research and Development. Marcia also writes regularly on higher education matters for national, state and local newspapers including Campus Review, The Australian and The Age.
Dr Jade McKay joined HERG in May 2011 as a Research Fellow. Jade works across a number of research projects led by HERG, including an ALTC project focused on effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Jade has a PhD in Literary Studies and has interdisciplinary research experience working on a range of projects exploring innovative virtual learning environments, Accounting International Education Standards (IESs) and large class teaching in higher education. Jade’s research draws on feminist theory to interrogate gender political representations of women in western culture and her interests more broadly encompass middle-class identities, minority groups and disadvantaged groups in culture and higher education.
Lisé Baker joined HERG in 2012 as the Higher Education Project Officer. As project officer she is responsible for providing support for programs which recognise and reward excellence in teaching, including national awards and grants schemes. She also supports and coordinates activities of the Teaching and Learning Forum (TLF) and other HERG initiatives. Lisé’s expertise is built on 20 years of teaching in both IT and Training and Assessment in the adult education and TAFE sectors and positions across Deakin including with the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), the AUQA audit, governance and committee services and the Teaching Quality Indicators project. She is particularly interested in online, distance and flexible delivery, student engagement and teaching excellence. Lisé completed her Master of Professional Education and Training at Deakin University in 2010.
Arlene Bury joined HERG in April 2012 as a Research Assistant. Arlene supports CHERS members and contributes to a range of research projects, including an ALTC project focused on providing effective teaching and support for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Arlene has a Masters in International Studies, in which she investigated the plight facing environmental refugees and the potential social consequences of large population movements. Arlene has a background in gender studies, the social impact of climate change, and international relations. Arlene’s research interests include the impact of social and political changes on individuals, feminism, and the provision of education.
Terry McCormick joined the team in January 2009 and works part time as the HERG Administrative Coordinator and Personal Assistant to the Chair in Higher Education Research. Terry provides high-level administrative support to HERG, with key responsibilities including managing the HERG finances and the HERG website. Terry has completed a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting) and is currently studying toward a Bachelor of Psychology.
HERG is then made up of a voluntary membership of over 200 Deakin staff. Details of more than 140 of the members appear in the form of short biographies within the website.
