The MAAP Symposium 2025, which took place on 9th April 2025, brought together a vibrant community of educators, researchers, and practitioners to discuss the impact of educational research in teaching and learning in higher education. Through panels, presentations, a poster and a world café session, the event spotlighted the transformative power of educational research under the MA in Academic Practice programme.
The call for participation attracted huge interest, and the final version of the programme included representation from a variety of areas, schools and methodologies.
Exploring Educational Technology in Higher Education
The first panel explored how technology can enhance learning experiences, with a focus on the use of quantitative methods, supported by digital tools, to help overcome learning barriers and improve student engagement. A presenter showcased the power of captions, screencasts, blogs, and other accessible media to support inclusive teaching practices and foster communities of practice.
Research into online and blended learning models sparked important reflections and increased the use of online tools. Digital platforms were praised for their flexibility, but participants also noted that research emphasised the value of face-to-face engagement, in particular in clinical and skills-based settings.
Supporting Students and Teaching Staff
The second panel focused on student support and staff resilience. Reflections on teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the challenges of adapting to remote delivery, but also highlighted strengthened collegiality and the creative use of educational technology. Discussions on peer-reviewed teaching in healthcare settings and strategies for student retention offered evidence-based insights. Research on the influence of social media and mental health in students, the so-called “anxious generation”, resonated with the audience. This panel also focused on the journey of publishing the research in academic journals.
A particularly memorable part of the event was the interactive World Café session using collage and projective techniques to uncover implicit knowledge and skills. A poster about embedding digital literacies was also available during the event.
Research Journeys, Reflections, and Impact
The final panel celebrated the personal and professional growth of participants in the MAAP programme. Reflections ranged from developing confidence in digital teaching to embracing coaching and reflective practice in both research and pedagogy. Participants at the beginning of their journey also discussed their motivation to embark on this adventure.
The showcase of foundation year research and competition-based learning strategies also demonstrated the concrete benefits of research-informed teaching (with a mixed-methods approach), particularly in enhancing student retention and motivation.
A Community of Practice
The event closed with reflections on the collective journey of MAAP scholars and the importance of developing a sense of belonging within the teaching and learning community at City St George’s. The Symposium served not only as a platform to disseminate research but also as a source of inspiration, collaboration, and professional development. Participants said that “hearing about the focus and findings of different research studies” made them “more motivated to get into research”.
Furthermore, the feedback collected after the event showed that the Symposium was an important moment to think about the overall impact of the MAAP programme in teaching, as this quote highlights:
“[During the Symposium] I reflected on the significant impact the MAAP programme has had on City staff, as well as the benefits to students through research-informed practice from colleagues who have completed the programme.”
