Educators of the future: evolving capabilities of education focused academics at RMIT University

Educators of the future: evolving capabilities of education focused academics at RMIT University

As the landscape of higher education in Australia and internationally evolves, the role of educators becomes increasingly pivotal to progressing innovation, transformative pedagogies, navigating education challenges and opportunities such as generative AI to support student success in their learning and future careers.

At RMIT University, the introduction of a variety of education focused roles and career pathways provides an opportunity and a commitment to the transformation of professional learning for academics in learning and teaching, the development of their scholarship and their education leadership capability.

This shift towards nurturing educators who are devoted to teaching excellence has manifested in the Elevate Education Program for Education Focused Academics.

RMIT is committed to equipping these educators with the capabilities, community and support needed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Building a foundation of educational excellence

RMIT’s vision is clear, to create a culture of educational excellence where education focused academics are esteemed, have parity with their colleagues and their career pathways supported and recognised. Elevate Education is pivotal in this endeavour, offering a scaffolded and contextualised professional learning experience for academics that specialise in learning and teaching. The program supports and equips educators for their vital contribution to delivering outstanding educational outcomes.

The education focused roles are a milestone in RMIT’s evolution and signifies a shift in academic career dynamics through a deeper recognition of the crucial role educators play in shaping learning and the student experience at university. This alignment is increasingly significant as RMIT prepares students to face a world defined by rapid technology advancements, generative AI impacts on industries, and evolving societal needs.

Capabilities for an exciting and challenging future

To thrive in this new educational paradigm, educators at RMIT need to possess a set of dynamic capabilities. A focus on creating learning experiences that represent teaching excellence and are driven by scholarly teaching inquiry and continuous improvement provides students with the best start to optimistically face their futures with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to be competitive as well as satisfied with their careers in a fast-evolving landscape.

The pursuit of academic integrity and rigorous review and reflection are priorities for educators designing course content, delivery and assessment. A strong emphasis on authentic and industry connected learning is crucial as it bridges the gap between theory and practical application, preparing students to enter the workforce with competence as well as confidence. These priorities require dedication and time to achieve excellence and RMIT is committed to these outcomes.

Rapid technology advancement is changing the landscape of knowledge acquisition. Educators must be adept at incorporating educational technologies that foster engagement and collaboration. The integration of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual labs, digital simulations, virtual assistants, generative AI in learning experiences, feedback and engagement is a prime example of how technology can enhance learning experiences and changing teaching methodology. Adoption of these tools and methods by educators provide students with robust and adaptable skills and prepare them for the future of work and life.

Central to the Elevate Education Program is cultivating a sense of belonging, identity and community that translates into the broader community where we cultivate students’ sense of belonging and identity. As future ready learners, students should emerge not only with knowledge but with a clear understanding of their place in the world and the opportunity to make a valued contribution, this is born out of a culture of purpose and service modelled by the education focused academic community.

Educator community connection a collective growth

The education focused academic community at RMIT is instrumental in fostering a supportive environment where educators can connect, share and grow. The Elevate Education Program and the educator focused community serves as an ecosystem for scholarly educators dedicated to the pursuit of teaching excellence. By bringing together diverse educators with rich experiences, the community encourages the creation and sharing of knowledge that enriches both teaching practice and student learning experiences. This community brings to life RMIT’s Knowledge with Action strategy through driving our mission towards the future.

The Elevate Education Program provides education focused academics the opportunity to attend regular networking events, face-to-face and online workshops and access to online modules and self-paced resources. The program also extends into the wider university capability development programs, events and communities of practice for educators, providing opportunities for developing broad networks and mentoring relationships. This ecosystem of mutual support ensures that educators are continuously developing their skills while contributing to the broader educational objectives of the university.  

Curated professional learning and future-ready pedagogy

Through the Elevate Education program, RMIT provides tailored professional learning initiatives designed to meet the diverse needs of early career, mid-career and senior academics. These curated learning experiences are integral to developing:

  • Learning and Teaching Excellence Capability which focuses on Teaching Tomorrow: Active Applied and Authentic pedagogy for future-ready learners, along with capabilities on designing learning and assessment. This includes reflection, sharing and building knowledge on student engagement, feedback, inclusive practice, class management and industry partnered learning. One of the program highlights is the focus on future-ready pedagogy. This approach ensures graduates are not only knowledgeable but adaptable and capable of navigating tomorrow’s challenges. By prioritising forward-thinking pedagogy, RMIT positions its educators, and consequently its students at the vanguard of educational excellence. 
  • Innovative Education Technology Capability: Focusing on AI for educators and education technology for engagement and collaboration. 
  • Education Careers and Leadership Capability: With a focus on career and scholarship planning. Exploring academic identity and self-reflection. Motivation and direction when career planning. Thought leadership, impact and influence. 
  • Education Research and Innovation Capability: Focused on Scholarship of Learning and Teaching covering writing planning, publishing, methodologies, ethics, data and analysis and dissemination. 

Investing in educators, investing in the future

The educators of the future at RMIT are poised to play an integral role in shaping the next generation of learners. Supported by the Elevate Education Program, these education focused academics are equipped with the capabilities needed to deliver exceptional learning experiences. By fostering a culture of teaching excellence, community and professional growth, RMIT ensures its educators and students are prepared for whatever the future holds.

This commitment to nurturing exceptional educators, rewarding and recognising them reflects a broader understanding that the quality of teaching directly impacts the potential success and employability of students. Investing in education is investing in the future of our students and our community. As RMIT advances toward the future, educators will continue to be at the heart of the University’s mission to deliver ‘Knowledge with Action’ through transformative educational outcomes that resonate beyond the classroom.

Celebrating and sharing the stories and career success of these educators alongside the impactful work they do on behalf of their learners is key to ensuring the educator voice rings loud and clear across RMIT’s commitment to delivering an exceptional staff and student experience.

About the authors

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Priscilla Green

Priscilla Green is the Leader of Educator Development in the RMIT Centre for Education, Innovation and Quality where she oversees the strategic educator capability development goals for the University and leads the Elevate Education Program for Education Focused Academics. Her career has evolved through a passion for teaching, workforce development and more specifically educator and leadership capability. She has held roles at RMIT as an educator, Program Manager and the Department Manager of the Industry and Workplace Education Department in the Business Faculty.

Connect with Priscilla on LinkedIn
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Professor Shona Leitch

Professor Shona Leitch is the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education at RMIT University Shona is responsible for delivering an enterprise-wide approach to educational innovation and academic quality management to drive and support continuous improvement, enhancement, and excellence across all accredited programs and products. Shona is focused on building passion and capability in the academic and teaching community and ensuring academic quality is embedded in all we do.

Connect with Shona on LinkedIn
02 October 2025

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