Business academics in universities have to respond to changing circumstances within both their own institutions and the wider business and societal environment. Not least of these challenges is the need to strike the right balance between the worlds of teaching and research. The model appears to be subject to onward going revision both from within individual universities, and from government policies. This at times leaves academics confused, perhaps a little cynical, and at other times a little bit bemused.
Getting the balance right between teaching and research can be problematic, since time spent with one often appears to compromise time spent with the other. While the mantra of “Publish or Perish” remains, the current economic times are witnessing an increase in student numbers at many universities. Getting suitable qualifications in business in order to enter the new ‘reduced opportunity’ employment marketplace has never been more important, and more students are remaining at university to further their academic qualifications (and in part to avoid currently diminishing employment prospects).
This is the context in which Carpe Diem as a referred publication featuring the work of undergraduate and postgraduate students now exists. Its interesting aspect according to academics at other universities is that it offers a ‘cross-over’ between the worlds of teaching and research/publishing. Academics tend to suggest the students that they are currently teaching or supervising submit their work to Carpe Diem.
The starting point is therefore the student – lecturer/supervisor relationship (one of the two worlds in which academics spent their time). This then changes into the student – Carpe Diem Editor and reviewer relationship. The Editor and reviewers are academics at ACU National, and some reviewers are academics at other universities. Interaction at this stage really involves getting students to refine their work to a standard which demonstrates academic rigor and research excellence (the other world in which academics spent their time, and which we seek to exposure to our best students).
Being in a position where they mentor students about research and publishing, reminds us as academics about our own work, and the difficulties involved in “Publish or Perish”. It also helps unite the two disparate worlds, and in so far as we publicize Carpe Diem, and seek submissions for review and possible inclusion, it gives our best students an outlet for excellence, beyond the marks that they receive on their academic transcripts.
Uniting the two worlds of teaching and research/publishing in part restores the wholeness in what is meant to be a holistic experience of universities as places of study and work for both academics and our undergraduate and postgraduate students. Carpe Diem remains a channel for this. Our aim is to continue publishing the work of both undergraduate and post graduate students from Australian universities, including the leading research universities, and in the future to also publish the work of business students from overseas universities.
Associate Professor Robert Compton
Acting Head, School of Business
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