Raina Mason

Biography

Raina is part of the IT discipline, teaching and researching at Southern Cross University. She came late to the higher education space, having worked for many years in IT, primarily managing and completing software development contracts for small to medium-size businesses and government departments. Her passion for equity and diversity, and for making learning achievable in difficult topics brought her back to the education sphere and she has been teaching and researching in higher education for the last 20+ years.

Research

Raina's research concerns strategies to make STEM technical courses both more accessible and more successful for novice learners, using cognitive load theory to inform instructional design. Her research interests also include factors that encourage or inhibit the uptake of careers in technology for women, and the learning environments in higher education.

Course Development and Coordination

In 2018 Raina brought her expertise to bear on the program design of the Bachelor of Information Technology course, and its preparation for ACS accreditation. She was Course Coordinator of this program from 2017-2021 inclusive, when she then took on an acting Discipline Chair, and finally Associate Dean (Education) roles, until 2023.

Supervision

Raina enjoys supervising Masters and PhD students and is currently recruiting. Her great joy is in "making a difference" and seeing all staff and students grow and mature into their potential.