Educator leads in tertiary field

A TASMANIAN academic who spent many years working at universities in Hong Kong and the UK has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honour list.

John Biggs of Mt Nelson is now a Member AM in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

Professor Biggs first attended the University of Tasmania and stayed in university life over the course of his career — one that took him to higher education institutions around Australia and overseas.

“It had its ups and downs but mostly it was very positive,” he said.

“I am surprised by this honour. It is very nice to be recognised for your work.”

Prof Biggs was awarded for his service to tertiary education, particularly in the fields of curriculum development and assessment.

He was honorary professor of psychology at Hong Kong University and an academic/ researcher at the National Foundation for Educational Research in the UK.

He also worked at the University of New England (NSW), Monash University (Victoria), University of Alberta (Canada), University of Newcastle (NSW) and the University of Hong Kong.

Among his career highlights was the development of the structure of the observed learning outcome taxonomy for assessing the quality of learning outcomes.

Prof Biggs has also written many academic books including Changing Universities: A Memoir about Academe in Different Places and Times and Teaching for Quality Learning at University.

He has also delved into fiction writing books including Black Dog: A Marriage in Ashes and The Girl in the Golden House.