Establishing STEM educational leadership: the RMIT SHEER centre

The disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are critical for Australia's national productivity and global competitiveness. Demand for tertiary graduates with STEM skills will continue to exponentially exceed supply in Australia in the next 25 years. Leadership in the promotion of STEM learning and teaching is critical to the development of future graduates to meet these needs. Over the past three years, the College of Science, Engineering and Health at RMIT University has undertaken extensive consultations and research to develop a model of educational leadership for tertiary staff in the STEM disciplines. This paper reports upon the data collection and consultation processes involved in the establishment of a STEM educational research centre. By drawing together STEM discipline scholars, best practice learning and teaching and industry-led work-integrated learning, a Science, Health and Engineering Educational Research (SHEER) Centre has been created to provide leadership, management and strategic direction of STEM educational research. The new Centre is expanding cross-disciplinary learning opportunities through the introduction of workshops that connect industry, staff and students in emerging industry-focussed STEM initiatives.