A/Prof. Siva Krishnan

My research focuses primarily on higher education curriculum design, T&L and assessment design, and delivery practices to recognise patterns and develop deep insights into academic cultures. I have a keen interest for and expertise in problem-based learning, project-based learning and professional practice.

My scholarship activities have created the environment for academic colleagues to reflect deeply on their current teaching and learning practice; broaden their horizons by exposing them to new ideas and supporting trials; engage them in reflective practice to continually consider student experience; enable their growth to become leaders in specific areas of Higher Education practice; and disseminate their scholarship.

I have delivered 25 high-quality publications. Top publications include a book published by Routledge, a book chapter by Springer, a peer-reviewed journal article in Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education (Q1, H Index 76).

My scholarship activities within the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE) has put Deakin Engineering Education research back on a trajectory to contribute to new insights. I founded and am currently leading the Special Interest Group “Engineering Education for International Students” within AAEE, which has attracted representatives from 25 universities across Australia and New Zealand to collaborate on new opportunities in the first month of its formation.

I have directly supervised over 100 Master’s project students and have supported the learning of over 500 students. I currently supervise two HDR students (one at Deakin and one at UNSW, School of Engineering).

Students are at the heart of everything that I do. As a Unit Chair for capstone project units within the postgraduate engineering degrees at Deakin School of Engineering, I listen carefully to students, review their feedback and regularly make improvements to student learning experience.

Student feedback in the units I have chaired, indicates that students expect to be challenged, are open to active engagement in the classroom, and are willing to try new ways of learning. Evidence of this is demonstrated through the improvements that I have made to assessment and feedback practice within the capstone project units.

In my role as Director (Postgraduate Studies), I view students as partners and seek their participation in providing regular feedback not only in the units I teach, but also about the usefulness of other units in the course.

I support Unit Chairs in reviewing student feedback and their teaching and assessment practices from a learner perspective. I then work collaboratively and consultatively with them to identify areas for improvement, and design and implement innovative approaches tailored to their context.

My leadership has allowed unit chairs to make meaningful contributions to self-review, unpacking external review recommendations, and planning ongoing improvement to units and the course.

My utilisation of student feedback and external reviews has led to noticeable improvements to postgraduate course curriculum, T&L and assessment standards. I have contributed to improvements in overall student satisfaction levels. I nurture the development of independent leadership in course teams and unit teaching teams. My leadership in the Learning Support Team has helped to build the capacity of staff in all aspects of T&L.

Curriculum design, development and review, teaching and learning development, engineering education, problem and project based learning, curriculum mapping and assurance of graduate capabilities.

Curriculum, assessment and student learning

Engineering Education

Engineering Professional Practice

Work Integrated Learning

Engineering Management

Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy