Existing in hyperliminality: supporting educational developers with complex cross-disciplinary portfolios

Authors

  • Ann Gagne Brock University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi33.1225

Keywords:

educational development, cross-disciplinary, trauma-informed pedagogy, administration, reporting structures

Abstract

This opinion piece discusses educational developer portfolios that have cross-disciplinary or cross-service area reporting structure and responsibilities within an institution. It will outline some of the common barriers for these kinds of portfolios and highlight how often these barriers can be built into the administrative structures that already exist at an institution. It also suggests ways that reporting and administrative structures could help support a more holistic view of pedagogical development with more intentionality in the design of the role, that in turn will support a trauma-informed approach to this work, because without intentional support, cross-disciplinary roles can create trauma responses in educational developers. The piece ends with three recommendations that can be put in place to help support success and mitigate some of the tensions found for those who are in these types of cross-disciplinary roles.

Author Biography

Ann Gagne, Brock University

Ann Gagné is a Senior Educational Developer, Accessibility & Inclusion at the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation at Brock University. Her research focuses on accessible pedagogy and supporting holistic inclusion and awareness of disabled learners and disabled instructors in post-secondary education.

References

Aitchison, C., Harper, R., Mirriahi, N., & Guerin, C. (2020) ‘Tensions for educational developers in the digital university: developing the person, developing the product’, Higher Education Research & Development, 39(2), pp.171-184. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1663155

Fraser, K. and Ling, P. (2014) ‘How academic is academic development?’, International Journal for Academic Development, 19(3), pp.226-241. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2013.837827

Imad, M. (2021) ‘Transcending adversity: trauma-informed educational development’, To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development, 39 (3). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3998/tia.17063888.0039.301

Little, D. and Green, D.A. (2022) ‘Credibility in educational development: trustworthiness, expertise, and identification’, Higher Education Research & Development, 41(3), pp.804-819. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2020.1871325

Vander Kloet, M. A. (2024) ‘Off the side of the desk: equity work in Canadian teaching and learning centres’, International Journal for Academic Development, pp.1-13. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2024.2364709

Whitchurch, C. (2013) Reconstructing identities in higher education: the rise of third space professionals. London: Routledge.

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Published

30-01-2025

How to Cite

Gagne, A. (2025). Existing in hyperliminality: supporting educational developers with complex cross-disciplinary portfolios. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (33). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi33.1225

Issue

Section

Identity and positioning