2022 Curriculum Challenge Champions

Call for Expressions of Interest

1. Background
In 2022, the 21C Project (opens in a new window)is seeking to co-create 5 new 21C Challenge Minors.  These will complement those developed in 2021, which include:

Each of the 21C Challenge Minors above contains a suite of Curiosity Pods  (opens in a new window). To learn more about the 2021 Minors, visit the University Handbook (opens in a new window). You can also view the suite of videos (opens in a new window) which them.

2. 21C Challenge Minors in 2022

Building on Partnership Pedagogy, in 2022, the 21C Project isseeking to co-create 5 new transdisciplinary Minors, one in each of the following indicative broad areas:

  1. On Country: Learning and Inquiry (to be led by Professor Susan Page, Director, Indigenous Learning and Teaching in collaboration with the Office of DVC Indigenous Leadership)
  2. Creative Communities (to advance our Western Sydney Creative (opens in a new window) Decadal Strategy)
  3. Future Finance (focused on students’ financial futures)
  4. Humanising Big Data
  5. Harnessing People Power

Together, the new 2022 21C Challenge Minors are intended to:

  • support the University’s strategic educational ambitions outlined in Sustaining Success 2021-2006 (opens in a new window) in terms of its key values, principles and enablers;
  • contribute to the four existing Curriculum Challenge areas: Future Thinkers, Global Citizens, Innovative Entrepreneurs, and Sustainability Advocates;
  • provide opportunities to extend and integrate students’ learning into transdisciplinary areas of study; and
  • develop and enhance students’ capabilities to support their success in emerging areas identified by the future of work and society.

The new 2022 21C Challenge Minors should not replicate those already on offer but it may seek to replace or refresh them.


3. Expressions of Interest for 2022 Curriculum Challenge Champions

We are seeking Expressions of Interest (EoI) from members of the academic community who are keen to be seconded to a Curriculum Champion role for 2022.

We are seeking to appoint 4 (four) Curriculum Challenge Champions. Each Champion will conceptualise and lead the co-creation of a Challenge Minor in one of the broad topic areas below:

  • Creative Communities
  • Future Finance (focused on students’ financial futures)
  • Humanising Big Data
  • Harnessing (Young) People Power

The 21C Curriculum Challenge Champion is a teaching, learning and curriculum leadership role. It is anticipated that Champions will be able to operate strategically and collaboratively across the University. The role assumes a level of intellectual curiosity, autonomy, and initiative related to university curriculum transformation. Working within a commitment to partnership pedagogy, the role relies on building productive partnerships with key staff across Schools (i.e., Deputy Deans, Associate Deans Learning and Teaching, DAPs), students and external partners, to deliver 21C Project outcomes.

If you are looking to make a substantial leadership contribution to curriculum transformation at the University, we welcome an application from you via an online Expression of Interest (EoI). You must also have the endorsement of your School Dean or Institute Director, as well as your immediate supervisor, on submission of your EoI. We also encourage you to discuss your EoI with the Deputy Dean, and Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching.

We welcome applications from our diverse academic community, particularly women, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ colleagues.

4. Next Steps

If you are interested in a Curriculum Champion role for 2022, ensure you read the Information for 2022 Curriculum Champions (opens in a new window) and complete the online Expression of Interest (opens in a new window) (opens in Google Forms).

Applications are due 5.00pm Tuesday 26th April 2022.

If you are interested in the role, we strongly advise you have a conversation with one the 2021 Curriculum Champions:

  • Future Thinkers: Dr Jenna Condie (SoSocSci) and Dr James Gourley (SoHCA)
  • Global Citizens: A/Prof Brett Bennett (SoHCA)
  • Innovative Entrepreneurs: Dr Tendai Chikweche and A/Prof Neil Perry (both SoBus)
  • Sustainability Advocates: A/Prof Ricky Spencer (SoScience)
  • STEM+: Dr Mariam Darestani (SoEDBE) and Dr Chris Jones (SoScience)

We aim to notify all applicants of the outcome by the end of April (with a view to the role commencing in May).

Please direct any general questions to 21C@westernsydney.edu.au. If you would like to have a confidential conversation about the 21C Challenge Champion role, email Dr Tai Peseta.