The teaching-research nexus
The teaching-research nexus at the University of South Australia links teaching and research through critical enquiry. Students experience enquiry-based learning that helps them develop research skills and critical dispositions. More information
In practice
- Students learn through authentic enquiry.
- Students learn about research.
- Students learn to do research.
In Art, Architecture and Design
The School of Art, Architecture and Design has a keen understanding of the teaching-research nexus. Teaching as research is constantly being emphasised in work that brings the overlap between the 'scholarship of teaching' in line with 'research practice'. Examples of the teaching-research nexus in practice in the School of Art, Architecture and Design are provided below.
Theory Spine
The Theory Spine
initiative was developed through a University teaching and learning grant,
and the dedication of lecturers and researchers across the three disciplines
art, architecture and design. Students are encouraged to take Theory
Spine courses and
electives during their undergraduate or
postgraduate degree, focusing on art, architecture
or design theory and history. Themes are cross-fertilised in a 'spine' or
rich theoretical pathway so that students
benefit from interdisciplinary teaching rather than focusing on a single
art, architecture or design
medium.
Seminars enrich
learning and support lectures and tutorials.
Researchers Jane Lawrence and Rachel Hurst
Rachel Hurst
and
Jane Lawrence,
Lecturers in Architecture and
Interior Architecture, have developed
a joint architecture and interior architecture studio teaching practice
which uses the universally tangible realm of food as a design language and
frame of reference, employing themes of the everyday,
memory, place and identity as additional emphases. They
have:
- disseminated these pedagogical strategies through the external design review process, and participation and publication in scholarly symposia
- presented papers at international and national conferences
- exhibited creative installations
- received three university awards for teaching excellence and innovation
- received a grant to develop and disseminate a cross-cultural teaching program.