Peer Support Network for New Academics in Engineering

June Newsletter Online

What Makes a Good Lecturer?

Whilst browsing the web recently, I happened upon the results of the UK's LTSN Engineering Student Awards, with their essay competition "What makes a good engineering lecturer?". The entries are well worth a read - have a look here

What is the PSN?

The New Academic Peer Support Network (PSN) is an informal network of Academics new to Engineering. It is aimed at providing those of us new to University Teaching with an opportunity to share experiences - both good and bad - with others in the same position, and facing similar challenges.
In addition to the informal exchange of ideas, the Network also intends to provide access to mentors at institutions throughout the country, and also to provide advice from gurus in the field about what works for them in their teaching. This is part of an initiative of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AaeE).

Why Was It Started?

There are a number of valuable resources available on how to succeed as a new academic, but there is one thing that most of them have in common - they are written by people who are many years removed from their own experiences as a new academic. We felt it important to have a source of first-hand experience that is relevant to the challenges being faced by new academics now, in the Australasian University Context.

Who Should Join?

The PSN is aimed primarily at people who:

• Are employed as academics in an Engineering capacity (regardless of discipline)
• Have been in this employment for less than two years.
• Are looking for support in their transition to Academia

Why Should I Join?

There are a number of good reasons why you should join the PSN:

• Because there are others that are facing the same challenges as you
• Because someone else has the solution to your problem - a solution relevant to today's University Engineering situation
• Because you have to solution to other people's problems
• Because it will provide access to resources specific to your needs
• Because it will help establish your professional networks within your field
• Because it's easy to do.

How Do I Join?

Contact one (or both) of the two organisers: Euan Lindsay or Marcin Ziemski and they'll get you connected.

What Do I Get For Joining?

We have a mailing list up and running, and are in the process of putting together a website to store information and ideas. We're in contact with a couple of gurus in the field, and are arranging to extract their expertise for your benefit. We also have a monthly newsletter, as well as a few other ideas that we still need to work out.

For errors or comments contact the Webmaster.

Last Updated Thursday June 9th, 2005