Raised and educated in London, Rick completed undergraduate studies in the Fine Arts before working for 7 years within the UK film & television industry specialising in TV commercials and music video production.

After emigrating to Australia in 1990, Rick worked at the University of New South Wales (in Sydney) where for 24 years he was based within the School of Design Studies before leading a new online education department and managing the curriculum design and teaching of more than 40 fully online courses in art and design, ultimately leading to production of the first fully-online Masters (coursework) program at UNSW.

Rick’s research over the last 20 years has explored advances in digital technology and the interdependence between design professions and design education and potentials for online offerings. This resulted in invitations to numerous talks worldwide, significant research grants and publications, as well as prestigious awards. Notably, in 2004, he was awarded the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools – Australian Teacher of the Year.

In 2015, Rick relocated to Vietnam as Dean, School of Communication & Design at RMIT University. In 2018, he was later appointed as RMIT Vietnam Executive Dean (Academic & Students) before moving to the British University Vietnam (BUV) in 2022, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctor of Philosophy (2004 – 2009)

The University of Sydney, Australia

Thesis: Drawing on the Virtual Collective: Exploring Online Collaborative Creativity

• Master of Higher Education (1994 -1998)

The University of New South Wales, Australia

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fine Arts (1981-1984)

Bristol Polytechnic, England (UK)

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

• British University Vietnam (BUV)

Professor (2022 – Current)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice President

• RMIT University (Vietnam)

Professor (2015 – 2022)

Executive Dean (Academic & Students) (2019 – 2022)

Vice-President (Academic) (2018-19)

Dean, School of Communication & Design (2015-2018)

• University of New South Wales (Australia)

Assoc. Lecturer to Assoc. Professor (1990 – 2015)

Head, College of Fine Arts Online

RESEARCH AREAS / FIELDS

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
• Online Learning & Teaching
• Graphic Design, Foundation Design Theories

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

• Polaine, A., & Bennett, R. (2010)

Creative Waves: Exploring Emerging Online Cultures, Social Networking and Creative Collaboration Through e-Learning to Offer Visual Campaigns for Local Kenyan Health Needs. In Collaborative Technologies and Applications for Interactive Information Design: Emerging Trends in User Experiences, Rummler, Scott & Ng, Kwong-Bor (Eds.), Hershey, PA: IGI Global. ISBN: 978-1-60566-727-7

• Martini, N., Harrison, J., & Bennett, R. (2010)

Creating Waves across geographical and disciplinary divides through online creative collaboration. In Interaction in Communication Technologies & Virtual Learning Environments, Ragusa, Angela, T. (Ed), Human Factors, IGI Global, pp 9-25.

ISBN: 978-1-60566-874-1

• Bennett, R. & Dziekan, V. (2005)

Online Collaboration in the Creative Process: Working With the Most Interactive Community of Designers We Have [N]ever Met.

Designs on E-Learning International Conference Proceedings: The University of the Arts, London, England, ISBN: 1-903455-09-X

RESEARCH & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS / EXHIBITIONS

• Bennett, R. (2021)

Barriers to Online Education for Higher Education in Vietnam – (Keynote Address)

2021 Auscham Education Conference Vietnam (Online)

• Bennett, R. (2014)

Global Classrooms, Local Benefits

2014 International Conference on Global Education for Digital Natives – (Keynote Address)

Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

• Bennett, R. (2011)

Creative Outreach Through Computing in Education

Global Learn Asia Pacific 2011 Conference – (Keynote Address)

The Sebel Albert Park Hotel, Melbourne, Australia.

• Bennett, R.  (2013)

The Banglos Project – Design Exhibition

Ayala Museum, Makati, Manila, Philippines.

• Bennett, R.  (2011)

DasManila – Design Exhibition

Royal Botanic Gardens

Sydney, Australia.

RESEARCH GRANTS

• McIntyre, S., Bennett, R., & Watson, K. (2009)

Australian Learning & Teaching Council (ALTC)

Learning to Teach Online: Developing high-quality video and text resources to help educators teach online. ($219,000)

• Bennett, R. & McIntyre, S. (2007)

UNSW Learning & Teaching Performance Fund

Planning, Infrastructure Provision and Establishment of the UNSW Academy of Online Art and Design Education ($68,000)

• Bennett, R. & Chan, L. (2004-06)

Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant

Formalising a System and Approach for an Effective Online Collaborative Design Process in Visual Communication. ($260,000)

AWARDS & HONOURS

• Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2006)

Carrick Institute (now ALTC)

‘For pioneering internationally recognised best practice in online education in the creative arts and design’

• AUQA Commendation (2006)

Australian University Quality Agency

‘For good practice in systematisation of online delivery and innovation in online collaborative education.’

• President’s Award (2005)

Australasian Society of Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (Ascilite)

‘For innovation and exemplary use of technology in higher education’.

• ACUADS Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award (2004)

Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools (ACUADS)

• UNSW Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2001)

‘For exemplary innovation in the use of technology in teaching