While 'broker' appears in academic development literature, the broker role is underexplored in it relative to other disciplines and its potential significance for academic developers (ADs). Synthesizing management and academic development literature, this conceptual article explains how ADs can foster trust as brokers. It delineates the broker…

I reflect on the significance of trust in Academic Development (AD) and outline strategies for cultivating it with other academics. Within many higher education institutions, the inherent uncertainty of the AD role necessitates intentional trust-building efforts. In this regard, conversations have been encouraged as trust-building tools. However,…

This paper considers the process of "professional becoming" for an academic developer as a complex transition towards epistemological plurality. This is a necessary step to appreciate and support the lived experiences of teachers across the spectrum of academic disciplines. Viewed through an ecological lens, the complexity of the…

Adult education instructors frequently attend both required and elective professional development events and seminars to gain and maintain proficiency. However, as prospective learners, do instructors know exactly what the training will be about? Are the takeaways, or training outcomes, clearly stated beforehand? The answer seems to be, sometimes.…

This article assesses the basis of trust in academic development as it relates to the current standing of academic development as a profession against established, distinguishing criteria of professions. These are: (1) possession of an inwardly-defined, esoteric, and specialized body of knowledge and skills; (2) collective autonomy over the…

Virtual coaching is emerging as a feasible method of providing ongoing, job-embedded, personalized professional learning to educators. This manuscript details how virtual coaching is different from on-site coaching in education. It describes field-tested strategies and technologies a coach can use to be successful when coaching virtually. There…

Empathy is a form of perception in which individuals access the perspectives of others about the world in order to build knowledge about it. It is also a source of self-knowledge because, as a con- sequence of learning how others see us, we can regulate and refine how we see ourselves. Empathy is, therefore, an important capacity through which…

This conceptual article presents a challenge to the dominant view and practice of teacher professional learning and its focus on preparing "experts in teaching" and proposes instead an emphasis on preparing "experts in learning." Drawing on contemporary knowledge on the nature of human learning and development, and in…

This paper examines the relationship between educators' epistemic character and their professional responsibilities, arguing that the role of educator carries unique epistemic obligations. Drawing on virtue epistemology and the ethics of belief, Jeff Standley contends that these obligations stem from education's core epistemic aims: cultivating…

Research in mathematics education can be understood as a system of activities addressing the basic and applied problems related to teaching and learning of mathematics. Such a system includes the activities of foundation, planning, implementation, evaluation of mathematics instruction, and teacher professional development, which are supported by…

Based on an overview of the existing literature, this paper aims to provide a holistic and coherent conceptualisation and understanding of the complexity of educators' professional learning. First, the way in which professional development, professional learning and everyday learning have been configured in contemporary research is combined with…

This short reflection explores both the challenges and potentials of teacher professional learning in contemporary times. It argues that the neoliberal logics of professional development as deployed in many contexts around the world limit and curtail the potential for teachers to engage in generative professional learning that fosters growth and…

In 2014 the "International Journal for Academic Development (IJAD)" issued a call for papers for 'Beyond learning and teaching: Extending the frontiers of academic development'. Though it was never published, the conceptual and definitional opacity that this special issue was expected to address, along with prevalent epistemic…

Disciplinary knowledge lies at the heart of academic work. However, connecting academics' disciplinary knowledge to their professional development as teachers has been a longstanding challenge for (research-intensive) universities. This is reflected in criticism of the practices that aim to support the professional development of university…

This paper explores innovative approaches to curriculum design and teacher education that aims to address the evolving needs of 21st-century learners. With the increasing integration of technology, the need for teacher professional development and the importance of inclusive education, this paper examines key trends in curriculum development and…