Early Career Development Workshop Co-Chairs
Prof. Rajeev Sharma, Deakin University, VIC, AU
Dr. Vivian Ma, Deakin University, VIC, AU
Prof. Felix Tan, Auckland University of Technology, NZ
The Early Career Development Workshop is a half day workshop specifically designed for Early Career (EC) academics – those who are within three years of their PhD completion. It will provide an invaluable opportunity to navigate some of the complexities of a successful career in academia. During the half day workshop, participants will hear from a keynote speaker (title and abstract below); a mentor panel on Managing the Early Years and small group sessions facilitated by each mentor on Academic Promotion. Mentors at this workshop will share their career experiences with EC academics, providing perspectives on balancing research, teaching and family as well as building a strong academic profile and portfolio which will help participants make informed choices and ultimately achieve success. The workshop will also permit networking, allowing participants to connect with mentors and peers, fostering relationships that can provide long-term guidance, support, and collaboration throughout their academic journey.
Date: 1 Dec 2025
Time: 1:00-5:00 pm
Venue: USC Moreton Bay Campus
Keynote Speaker
Prof Rajeev Sharma, Deakin University
Title: What colour is your parachute? Academic careers in the age of AI
Abstract
It has long been speculated that the higher education industry is ripe for disruption by IT. While the higher education industry has not experienced any fundamental disruption since those speculations were first articulated, perhaps AI could be the trigger. This talk will focus on what an AI-triggered disruption could mean for academic careers and what early career academics could do to future-proof their careers.
Upon successfully completing the requirements of the course (attending, contributing and discussing your review) you will be provided with an AAIS Certificate of Completion for this workshop.
Participant Registration Required before 15 November.
For more information about the workshop and registration, please contact the Workshop Co-chairs, Rajeev Sharma r.sharma@deakin.edu.au, Vivian Ma hanzhuo.ma@deakin.edu.au, and Felix Tan felix.tan@aut.ac.nz