The Education Special Interest group (EdSIG) of the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) has been an integral part of the society for more than 15 years. During this time EdSIG has grown significantly to have a dedicated symposium as part of the ASM annual national meeting, has contributed two education-focussed issues of Microbiology Australia (https://www.publish.csiro.au/maa) and since 2014, we have hosted a one- or two-day education-focussed conference (ASM EduCon) either immediately before or after the main national meeting. These education conferences have become vibrant platforms for sharing innovative ideas in education, especially those aimed at enhancing student engagement and participation. They offer a valuable space for educators who have transitioned from research to teaching to reflect on the scholarship of teaching, connect with other educators, and they act as a refresh between semesters, leaving educators genuinely recharged and ready for teaching.
In 2020 as travel halted and communication online became our only connection to the broader community, EdSIG pivoted by launching an online conference, Virtual EduCon. This online format showcased how educators were navigating the new virtual teaching landscape imposed by the pandemic, while also fostering a sense of connection at a time of increasing isolation from both our colleagues and students. The event was a resounding success. We continued with Virtual EduCon in 2021 (just as Melbourne was entering their lockdown) and although we have returned to in-person meetings since 2022, we remain committed to evolving our conference format to respond to the changing needs of educators. The ability to pivot is vital for a group like EdSIG, and the benefits to the educator collective are clear.
Leading change and staying open to new ideas are at the heart of the EdSIG mission, and are important for the support of Microbiology educators across Australia.