Dr Nico Klenner

Recipient, Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (Early Career)

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College of Business and Economics

Citation: For inspiring future leaders to DREAM and tackle wicked problems in Desirable, Reflective, Empathetic, Aspirational, and Mindful ways

Synopsis

In today’s volatile and complex world, future leaders must be equipped with the mindset and tools to co-create a better future. To achieve this, Dr Nico Klenner invites students to DREAM—a pedagogical approach that empowers learners in entrepreneurship and innovation to tackle wicked problems in Desirable, Reflective, Empathetic, Aspirational, and Mindful ways.

Applied across course design, delivery, and assessment, DREAM enhances student engagement, learning outcomes, and overall learning experience. Recognised by students and fellow academics, DREAM aims to foster human-centred, transformative education. It enables students to imagine desirable futures with empathy, reflect mindfully on the challenges that hinder progress, and aspire to create innovative solutions.

For educators, DREAM offers a values-driven pedagogical approach, which helps to cultivate the critical skills needed to tackle wicked problems, thereby addressing Australia’s skills gap, and strengthening Australia’s innovativeness.

(Photo by Tangyao Zhang)