About ACEN

The Australian Collaborative Education Network Limited (ACEN) is the national professional association for practitioners and researchers from the tertiary education sector, industry, community and government representatives, involved in work integrated learning (WIL) and collaborative education in Australia.

Our Vision

The Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN) is the national professional association for work-integrated learning (WIL) and collaborative education. 

ACEN creates impact through:

  • facilitating valuable networking, professional learning and scholarship 
  • promoting quality and inclusive WIL for all
  • advocating for collaboration and partnership with educators, community, industry, and government 

ACEN aspires to strategically influence how WIL is valued and enacted in Australia.

Our Mission

The Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN) advances collaborative, quality and inclusive WIL through scholarship, partnerships, and professional learning.

Our Values

Connection and collaboration:

sharing, listening, and learning together

Quality, ethical practice:

 scholarly WIL that supports inclusion for all

Passion, community and partnerships

Our People

Meet the 2023 Board

ACEN is run by a dedicated Board of Directors made up of passionate WIL practitioners who are based all across Australia.

The Board is governed by ACEN’s Constitution to provide financial stability and to deliver ACEN’s mission to advance collaborative, quality and inclusive WIL through scholarship, partnerships, and professional learning. The Directors are required to comply with the Code of Conduct and Executive Responsibilities.

The ACEN Board is composed of up to eleven Directors. Up to five are elected by the membership and one is elected from each of the five chapters. In addition, the Board may appoint one additional Director.

Michelle Eady

Denise Jackson

President

Edith Cowan University

Michelle Eady

Craig Cameron

Chair of Finance and Audit

University of the Sunshine Coast

Michelle Eady

Franziska Trede

University of Technology
Sydney

Michelle Eady

Heather Pate

Edith Cowan University

Michelle Eady

Jennifer Rowley

The University of Sydney

Michelle Eady

Karen Robinson

Griffith University

Michelle Eady

Leoni Russell

RMIT University

Michelle Eady

Michael O'Connor

Western Sydney University

Michelle Eady

Michelle Eady

University of Wollongong

Michelle Eady

Naomi Walsh

University of Tasmania 

Michelle Eady

Rachael Baron

La Trobe University

Michelle Eady

Will Mackay

University of South Australia

Chapters

ACEN consists of five chapters, governed by the Chapter By Laws. The current chapters committees were elected in September 2021.

Committees

Committees and Working Parties are appointed by the Board. At least one member of each Committee or working party must be a Director. The current ACEN Committees are: Finance, Audit & Risk, Conference & Awards, Research, Professional Learning, Engagement & Advocacy and Student Scholarships.