The art of collaborating with academics (so you both keep your sanity)

If you ever want to witness the full spectrum of human passion, schedule a meeting with an academic about their Canvas module. Within minutes, you’ll see love, pride, anxiety, perfectionism, panic, and joy — sometimes simultaneously.

And honestly? That’s what makes the work enjoyable.

Instructional designers don’t exist to “fix” academic content. We exist to translate it — to turn deep disciplinary knowledge into learning experiences that make sense to students who won’t have the benefit of a three-hour conversation with a world-leading expert.

The challenge is that academics often carry decades of implicit knowledge. They can see the connections between concepts instantly, while the student sees what appears to be a pile of puzzle pieces and no box lid. Our job is to create that box lid.

Sometimes collaboration feels like choreography — a gentle dance of questions:

“Which concept must students grasp first?”

“What does success look like in week two?”

“Which readings are foundational, and which can be optional?”

These questions aren’t administrative. They’re transformational. They turn content into curriculum.

There is also an unspoken emotional labour in the role. Many academics feel the pressure of digital expectations: modern design, multimedia, accessibility, engagement. It’s a lot. A good instructional designer understands this and becomes both translator and guide. Not just “Here is how to fix this,” but, “Here’s a way we can support your learners without compromising your intent.”

And let’s be honest — some academics are sceptical of anything that isn’t a 12-page PDF. Winning them over isn’t done through persuasion; it’s done through partnership. Show one small improvement — clearer structure, a better visual, an accessible redesign — and suddenly the collaboration becomes energised. They see their work through a new lens.

At its core, collaborating with academics is about trust. Trust that you respect their expertise. Trust that you won’t dilute the discipline. Trust that you’re there to enhance, not control. And once that trust forms, the results are extraordinary.

Because when an instructional designer and an academic truly collaborate, the outcome isn’t just a good module. It’s a learning environment that students can move through confidently — one built on clarity, support, and a shared commitment to student success.