Resource Library

The overall project (website, booklet and report) aims to provide clear guidelines for the assessment and examination of postgraduate research degrees in dance. By extension, the project establishes a flexible yet rigorous framework for supervisors and HDR students, particularly in its discussion of terms such as: practice-based research, practice-led research, practice as research, performance as research, creative practice as research, creative arts research and research through practice. Consequently, whilst the discipline focus is dance, this resource contributes to broader discussions around research, research training, and assessment and examination in the Creative and Performing Arts. In outlining key terms, classifications and shared characteristics, the website promotes the research findings (assessment guidelines) and establishes the fundamental need for research candidates to establish a ‘research design framework’ that rigorously articulates individual research methodology and outlines benchmark indicators for examiners. Importantly, the increasingly overlapping spheres of professional and academic practice are recognised, and whilst understood as particularly characteristic of dance, it is arguable that the nexus between academic and professional practice is one of the distinguishing characteristic of the creative and performing arts disciplines within the university sector. An important discussion encompasses entry pathways for creative and performing artists and particularly the need for professional equivalence for those mature practitioners who have a substantial body of advanced professional practice, or who can demonstrate high artistic attainment. This is in contradistinction to the more conventional academic pathway of less mature practitioners, who in moving directly from first class Honours into a research masters or doctorate, often do so without the benefit of industry or life experience. A consequence of this discussion is the useful distinction between creative doctorates with an exegetical component, the multi-modal thesis, and more traditional, humanities style theses. A paradigm shift is identified whereby ‘practice’ is understood as supplanting the more traditional, scholarly descriptions about its practice, thereby problematising conventional examination and assessment protocols. The booklet covers much of the same terrain as the website – excluding the video excerpts, and database of dance theses - but is understood as a more user-friendly option in some contexts. It adds value to the overall project, and might also be useful as an advocacy tool in some institutional contexts.

The Report on the research project, 'Dancing with Diversity and Consistency: Refining Assessment in Post Graduate Degrees in Dance', provides useful information regarding the research methodology employed in the development of the project’s guidelines, which are articulated through its primary research outcomes: the website and booklet.  In reflecting on the very recent history of dance in tertiary contexts, its ‘fledgling status in postgraduate contexts’, and the research methodologies employed, the report succinctly outlines some of the key formulations around research degrees: the transition from dependence to independence; the question of how to assess embodiment in the context of higher degree research; as well as the variations to approach and methodology encountered throughout the course of the project. The report also looks at the factors that contributed to the project’s success as well as those that impeded progress. The report is generous in its acknowledgement of contributing stakeholders, and candid in reflecting on the variations and/or limitations that manifested throughout the research process, and which are likely to influence future developments in creative arts research. By also acknowledging the temporal and/or dynamic nature of the research undertaken, the researchers leave the way open for discussion, dialogue and the whole question of knowledge throughout the expanded field of dance and choreographic practices in particular, and the creative and performing arts in general.

This online resource provides practical ideas and strategies for academic and professional practitioners responsible for designing curricula to support first year university students. It advocates for intentional first year curriculum design using six first year curriculum principles: Transition, Diversity, Design, Engagement, Assessment, Evaluation and Monitoring.  The website features resources including a briefing paper on first year assessment and checklists with useful tips for first year teachers, program coordinators and institutional leaders of learning and teaching. It would be particularly useful for academic staff responsible for designing first year curricula across disciplines. Professional staff who support first year curriculum design and delivery in such areas as blended learning will also find this a very useful site. This resource raises awareness of the multidimensional nature of the first year curriculum, drawing attention to the importance of supporting student diversity through the purposeful design of fit-for-purpose learning activities and assessment tasks. As such it would be useful for academic development staff who provide institution-level support to enhance the quality of first year curricula. The focus on evaluation and monitoring is particularly important for its emphasis on the value of continuous review and improvement of first year curricula. Discipline-based case studies are another feature of the resource. Exemplars are drawn from such fields as Law and the Creative Arts, IT and Biology. Kift has sought the input of Australian and international expert commentators who review the case studies and provide input on key issues. This dimension is particularly useful as it provides an indication of the international relevance and appeal of the resource, as well as the rigour of its approach.  In terms of accessibility, the website does not readily emerge from a quick Google search of the internet, so users may want to bookmark the site. Nevertheless, once you arrive, you will find the site relatively easy to navigate and resources readily downloadable using PDF-reading software. One of the challenges you may encounter is that this resource site is embedded within a larger site. If you navigate away from the ‘Transition Pedagogy’ area and follow some of the hyperlinks, it can be a little difficult to find your way back. It is important to be aware of this if you decide to pursue some of the interesting and informative links on the site.