An alumna of the Sydney Conservatorium, Professor Anna Reid joined the Con in 2010 as Head of School and Associate Dean (teaching and learning). Her practical and research interests in social equity and professional preparation have led to the creation of internship programs, ‘buddy’ relationships with regional conservatoria, freeing up the music curriculum to deliver greater student choice, enhancing student engagement with musical studies, and fostering equity programs for the University’s music faculty.
Professor Reid has established an international reputation for her research and collegial approach to learning and teaching development, supported by her publications, international collaborations with scholars, contributions to the academic community through reviews of others’ scholarly work, and the experience of colleagues who have taken part in her programs.
Her academic approach is underpinned by a strong research base in higher education theory and practice, which informs her interactions with academic staff and allows her to develop reflective and flexible teaching practices; construct curriculum and units that enable students to prepare well for a changing world; build a scholarly approach to the evaluation of teaching; enhance her and her colleagues’ research capacity; develop quality research programs in various academic departments; and identify, implement and evaluate strategic policy for higher degree research.
Professor Reid has a large group of research students whose interests lie in music pedagogy, social impact of music, creativity in theory and practice, and performance as research who she continues to teach.
Her own active career as a researcher in higher education theory and practice, and associated work as an academic developer began at UTS (1996-1999) and Macquarie University (2000-2009) where she gained expertise in tertiary policy and practice.
A tertiary educator her entire career, her first role was director of music for Wesley Institute (1988-1994), when she composed “With Heads Held High” for the opening of Parliament House in Canberra. Her interest in higher education leadership developed during that time, and she gained a Master of Educational Administration from the University of New England. For her PhD on music in higher education, she explored variations in the ways that instrumental and vocal students and teachers learn and teach.
Since starting at the SCM in 2010 Anna’s practical and research interests in social equity and professional preparation have led to the development of internship programs, ‘buddy’ relationships with Regional Conservatoria, ‘freeing’ the curriculum to broaden student choice, measure to ensure student engagement with their musical studies, and fostering equity programs for SCM faculty. She also has a large group of research students whose interests lie in music pedagogy, the social impact of music, creativity in theory and practice, and in performance as research. She still teaches a graduate research seminar.
Professor Reid is also a cellist and viola da gamba player.
