A year of UNSW Teaching Commons: a sanctuary for educators at the heart of campus

2024 CDI participants
Dr Alex Bannigan (third from left) together with the 2024 Course Design Institute cohort in front of the Teaching Commons

A year of UNSW Teaching Commons: a sanctuary for educators at the heart of campus

Published 15 October 2024 | By Apple Davalos

In September 2023, UNSW launched the Teaching Commonsa space with a big vision: to support, connect, and inspire its educators and the entire Learning & Teaching community. One year later, this once-empty venue has blossomed into a thriving hub where academic and professional education staff gather for professional growth and peer collaboration. 

“We wanted a place where people could go if they didn’t know where else to turn for teaching support,” 

says Dr Alex Bannigan,  Head, Academic Development & Engagement. Alex was one of the many people instrumental in bringing the space to life, along with teams from the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education portfolio and other key UNSW leaders.  The Teaching Commons has since evolved into much more, encouraging connections across faculties and creating a welcoming space for both formal events and casual meetups.

A space for collaboration and innovation

The Teaching Commons was designed to bridge a gap often seen in universities: educators needing a central, supportive place to turn for advice and professional development. The vision was for a collaborative space where educators could share their own teaching experiences and knowledge. It wasn’t just about having a physical location but creating a community where UNSW colleagues felt they belonged. 

Key to this was the Education Focussed (EF) network, a group that immediately helped breathe life into the Teaching Commons.  

"The EF program gave us an existing community that could benefit from the space right away,” Alex says.

 It also became the home of the nascent Nexus Program, which comprises EFs and educational developers from across the university. Now, the Teaching Commons has become a magnet for teaching and learning colleagues from all parts of UNSW, fostering cross-faculty and cross-institutional relationships and learning opportunities that didn’t exist before. 

Turning vision into reality

Securing the right space on UNSW’s busy campus wasn’t easy. It wasn’t until a conversation between Professor Louise Lutze-Mann (then Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education & Student Experience) and Professor Anne Simmons (then Provost) that the already vacant JG’s café was offered as a possible location. “That’s when the project really took off,” recalls Alex. After an extensive renovation, the café was transformed into a flexible, inviting space, with preserved mosaics and re-poured concrete slabs.

The result is a venue designed for versatility—used for everything from talks and workshops to meetings and informal consultations. Over the past year, the Teaching Commons has welcomed over 5,000 visitors, averaging approximately 100 visitors each week.

“Before the Teaching Commons, we had about four education-related professional development (PD) activities per term. Now we have 40,” Alex noted, highlighting the dramatic increase in PD events.

Teaching Commons stats

Looking ahead

The Teaching Commons’ central campus location and open, glass-walled design have played a major role in its success. Meeting rooms are constantly booked, and while large events fill the space, Alex envisions a future where it’s also used for more spontaneous, one-on-one teaching consultations. 

“The interest in one-on-one teaching consultations is slowly growing,” says Alex. “We’re seeing increasing uptake, and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum.” Along with her teams and key stakeholders, they are focused on expanding the Teaching Commons’ offerings to meet a variety of educator needs. Upcoming plans include structured learning pathways and professional development tailored to specific areas, whether it’s foundational teaching skills or the integration of AI in the classroom.  

As the Teaching Commons enters its second year, Alex’s vision is clear: 

“We want it to be a place where UNSW educators come to learn, connect, and feel supported.” 

In just 12 months, it has become a foundation of the university’s commitment to educational excellence, and its future looks even brighter.

What UNSW educators say about the Teaching Commons

A/Prof. Priya Khanna headshot

“When I started coming to the Teaching Commons, it felt like home—a space where I could feel at ease, even without a designated desk. The welcoming kitchen and comfortable environment make it a haven for educators. Here, I’ve built valuable connections through conversations about our work, leading to unexpected collaborations and learning opportunities. It’s a place where you can share knowledge and explore ideas, deepening my understanding of teaching practices at UNSW. I truly believe every university should have a space like this for educators—a nice, safe place to learn, get inspired, and connect with others.” - Associate Professor Priya Khanna, UNSW Medicine & Health

 

Valerie Combe Germes headshot

"The Teaching Commons is not just a beautiful space filled with light and a vibrant atmosphere; it has become the heartbeat of our community. It’s where we come together, share ideas, and foster cross-faculty collaboration. This space has transformed how we organise workshops and connect with colleagues outside our immediate schools. For me, it’s synonymous with my Nexus and EF experience—this is where our identities as educators flourish, where learning happens organically, and where I can’t imagine our community thriving without it." - Valerie Combe-Germes, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture

 

Dr George Joukhadar Headshot

"The Teaching Commons provides a much-needed physical space for educators post-pandemic, enabling collaboration across disciplines. It encourages creativity and innovation in teaching strategies, helping to break down silos and create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued. This communal space has been crucial for building connections and sharing ideas, which we all needed after such isolating times." - Dr George Joukhadar, UNSW Business School

 

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