Fostering relationships through strong leadership, achieving excellence through strategic teaching and learning, and embracing innovative, educational technologies – these are the top three things Professor Birgit Loch values most when it comes to working within the higher education sector.
Currently working as the Deputy Provost Learning and Teaching at La Trobe University’s College of Science, Health and Engineering, SABL’s new Dean will bring 17 years of experience working in universities across Australia to the role, specialising in science, mathematics and technology.
Professor Loch says she is particularly passionate about inspiring and motivating others through her strong leadership skills.
“I believe my role as a leader is to bring the best out of people and to empower them.”
“I have significant experience bringing together staff into multidisciplinary teams towards a common purpose, and I really want to make a difference through my leadership.
“Apart from significant improvement of the student experience in my role at La Trobe University, I’ve had most impact through internal and external programs to support promotion and career development of female academic and professional staff.”
With online learning and digital innovation two of her strengths, Professor Loch says she is looking forward to contributing her expertise in this field to UNE.
“My first academic position was as a lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in Toowoomba, and similar to UNE, USQ has a large proportion of distance students.”
“This is where I learnt to teach mathematics and computer science online, and where my interest in educational technologies and innovation began.
“I’m very keen to lead SABL’s approach to online education and contribute my own research expertise in educational technologies and innovation in learning and teaching.”
When she begins her new role in November, Professor Loch says her top priority will be to listen, learn and get to know everyone in the Faculty.
“I’m excited to learn how things work in the faculty and across the University, what is working well, and what may not, and where I can assist to find ways to resolve issues.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting with anyone who would like to speak with me and would love to hear ideas from staff and students.
“Understanding what makes SABL special and what staff and students care about is very important to me.”
On the rare occasion that she’s not working, Professor Loch enjoys getting out into the outdoors with a game of tennis or a bushwalk. She says she also won’t say no to a game of golf.
“I hope to start playing again, although my clubs might need replacing as they are 20 years old – I lived opposite a golf course during my PhD studies at UQ in Brisbane and spent a bit of time on the course.
“I love the outdoors and bush walking, and I am looking forward to exploring the area around Armidale.”
Plus, if you’re looking for a new Zoom background to add some more excitement to your meetings, Professor Birgit could be your new go-to.
“I also started drone photography last year to take photos because it lets you take shots from angles you usually can’t.”
“It gives you a very different perspective and can be quite spectacular – several of my photos are currently in use as Zoom backdrops by colleagues.”
Professor Loch will begin her new role as Dean of SABL on Monday 22 November.