Included in the September newsletter:
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LDC nominated for Times Higher Education award!
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The LDC’s Professional Development Open Evening
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MA in Academic Practice – Application deadline 13th September
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Learning at City Journal – call for abstracts
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Researchers’ Development Day
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Learning Development Centre – Meet the team
Collaborative Leadership Programme nominated for a Times Higher Education award
The Collaborative Leadership Programme, an advanced professional development programme for senior City University staff run by the LDC has been shortlisted for a Times Higher Award for “outstanding contribution to leadership development”. The winners will be announced at an awards dinner on 28th November.
The LDC’s Professional Development – Open Evening – Thursday 5th September 2013.
The Learning Development Centre held an Open Evening last week to encourage staff to sign up to the Academic practice programme and to celebrate the teaching achievements of City University staff.
Education Excellence awards were presented to Professor Steve Stanton, Dr Rachael-Ann Knight, Dr Russell Gerrard and Sanmeet Kaur Dua; in recognition of their commitment to developing and improving education at City University London. Nine staff in all received an award, with the others being presented during graduation. A full list of staff receiving the award in 2013 is below:
The rest of the evening was dedicated to exploring the Academic Practice programme with attendees having the opportunity to chat to members of the academic team and to explore the modules on offer.
MA in Academic Practice – Application deadline 13th September
This programme is open to all staff with teaching responsibilities and there is still time to apply for either the full course or stand alone modules relevant to your academic practice. The deadline to apply for modules running in Autumn 2013 is 13th September.
Learning at City Journal – Call for abstracts
The call for abstract for the next edition of the Learning at City Journal is now open. The “Learning at City Journal” provides an opportunity for you to share your developments, research and good practice. Articles submitted to the journal are blind peer reviewed by the Learning Development Fellows prior to publication. The journal is an in house publication which is published twice a year in April and October both in print format and online.
Papers published in this journal include academic papers with a focus on practice and research, literature reviews and project reports. The papers should be written with the audience for this journal in mind which includes all staff and students who have a role in facilitating student learning.
Guidelines for submission of articles – Learning at City Journal
Researchers’ Development Day – 4th December 2013
The first of this years’ Researchers’ Development Day will take place on Wednesday 4th December. Aimed at doctoral and PhD students this day will include a series of workshops on research methods and skills development. It is also an opportunity for students to network with other researchers.
LDC – Meet the Team
This is the first in our series of “Meet the Team” blogs in which we introduce you to members of the Learning Development Centre.
Susannah
My role is to lead the LDC team, and more broadly to lead educational development across the institution. How does this translate to practice though? Well, it involves sitting on various committees from Education Committee to Senate, chairing various LDC groups such as LD Advisory Board, and being roped into other formal meetings as required. But it’s not all committees! I also do a lot of coffee drinking to build relationships and keep my ear to the ground in terms of what is going on at City, and beyond. I play an active role on the MAAP programme through teaching and assessment activities, and also undertake some research when I get time (!). I work on developing our strategic approach to educational development by building capacity in our staff, and by creating an environment which is supportive of improving academic practice (i.e.my support of the awards scheme). I also make sure that I keep abreast of developments in the sector both nationally and internationally. I attend conferences where I am often asked to speak, give keynotes etc. Recently, of course, as an outcome of the PSR process my role has changed to encompass more student-facing services in Learning Success and Student Counselling Services, and I’m excited about working with these new areas. This is my role 3 days a week and then on the other two days I’m looking after my three children – 6 year old Sylvia and Isaac and Mariela who are 20 months old. They certainly help keep me grounded although are probably responsible for my love of glitter and craft – or is it the other way around? I’d love to say that I do all sorts of exciting hobbies but life is a bit hectic at the moment on the domestic front so my relaxation is drinking a cup of tea that has not gone cold in the garden.
Pam
My role includes supporting Susannah with leading the team and with the strategic development of education across the institution. The main focus of my role is to lead the development of the MPhil/PhD and the MA in Academic Practice programme, as well as leading professional development opportunities to support staff gaining HEA recognition through the different levels provided. I also support opportunities to share good practice through the award scheme, Learning at City Conference and am editor of our Learning at City Journal. I undertake some research which is currently focused on teaching excellence and evaluation of our MA programme, and often have ideas about areas for future research. I attend conferences to keep up to date with cross-institutional practices, to share good practice from City University London, and to publish some of this. I am also Co-Chair of SEDA, which is a national organisation for staff and educational development. My specific interests lie in curriculum development, increasing staff development and potential, and research supervision. These interests enable me to get to know a range of staff across the institution through many different fora. I started my career as a nurse and maintain an interest in nursing and health care by getting involved in my local trust and hospice when I can. For my time off I enjoy travelling, nights out with friends and family and going to concerts and the theatre.
Tom
During 2012-13 I have been covering for the Learning Development Service Manager, Keri Lloyd. When Keri returns from maternity leave this month, I will step down to the newly created post of Senior Learning Development Support Officer. Over the last year I’ve been overseeing the administrative side for a wide range of the services the LDC provides. I coordinate the logistical support for the academic programmes we run: the MA Academic Practice; and the PhD in Professional Education. I also take an important role in managing the LDC events and communications throughout the year. I act as the publication coordinator for the Learning at City Journal, which is published twice a year, and provide financial and logistical support to the holders of our annual Learning Development Projects. I provided the support for the Collaborative Leadership Programme, an advanced professional development programme for senior City University staff which was recently shortlisted for a 2013 THE Award. In addition I oversee a range of general office administration, from scheduling high-level meetings, to ordering paperclips. I have worked in various clerical roles at City University London for nearly 8 years, and my career in HE administration spans almost a decade. I have an MA in International Politics and Human Rights, and outside the University I work pro bono for a campaign group which opposes the detention of children for immigration purposes in the UK. I have recently completed City University London’s Novel Studio programme, and am currently working on several creative writing projects.
Dates for your Diary
13th September – Deadline for applying for Academic Programme modules running in Autumn 2013.
20th September – Deadline for Learning at City Journal submissions.
4th December – Researchers’ Development Day