Heads of Departments of Mathematical Sciences Conference The HEA and Future Development in Learning and Teaching Professor Craig Mahoney Chief Executive, Higher Education Academy 8 th April 2011

2 The HEA: leading on teaching The HEA is the sector body responsible for leading and shaping learning and teaching in HE. The HEA’s vision is for academic staff to be equipped as outstanding teachers to deliver the best possible learning experience to students in UK higher education.

3 Refocusing for the future: the wider context As the sector changes, so must we. Changing landscapes in the UK and abroad: ■Economic climate means shifting priorities in HEIs ■Student voice: Rise in student fees in England ■Scotland: ‘Curriculum for excellence’ reform ■Forthcoming White Paper ■Expansion of HE providers ■Borderless University: In , there were 368,970 non-UK students at UK HEIs, a 15% increase since (Source: International higher education in facts and figures (UK HE International Unit, Summer 2010) The sector, and the HEA, must respond to remain relevant.

4 Refocusing for the future: continuity and development ■Continuity of provision (subject support) ■Build on existing areas of excellence ■Develop new areas of work

5 Subject-level support Support at subject level, to academics in their discipline communities, remains at the heart of HEA’s work

6 Academic leadership roles Academic Heads x 6 ■STEM ■Arts & Humanities ■Health & Professions ■Social Sciences ■Institutional Policy ■Teaching Excellence Supported by: ■Discipline Leads - 28 ■Academic Leads - 10 ■Academic Development Officers – 18 ■Academic Associates - 25 PLUS National Coordinator x 2: Scotland, Wales & NI

7 Maths, Stats & OR Network ■Many achievements including: ► Workshops for postgraduates who teach ► PG Cert in Teaching Stats in HE ► Revision of QAA benchmark ► Support and nurturing of networks ► ‘Connections’ magazine

8 The Future Academy: an overview Focus on ■Academic practice development ■Teacher excellence: increased attention on quality and recognition of teaching, plus student expectations ■Institutional strategy and change

9 Academic Practice Development ■Current Issues in Learning and Teaching: Workshop/Seminar Series ■Support for staff new to teaching ■Supporting postgraduates who teach ■Teaching Development grants ■Resources centre

10 Current Issues in Learning & Teaching: Workshops & Seminars ■A series of subject-specific and thematic workshops, seminars and events ■Pilots of videoed, podcasted and interactive online events ■Good practice guidance and materials on enhancement activities, events and projects

11 Support for Staff ‘New to Teaching’ ■Toolkit of high quality resources targeted at those new to teaching ■Subject-focused induction courses ■Online resources centre

12 Supporting Postgraduate Students who Teach ■Discipline-focused workshops ► Planning and preparation ► Presentation and communication ► Facilitation and problem solving ► Participation and support ► Assessment and feedback

13 Teaching Development Grants ■Better resourced ■Stimulate pedagogic research and innovation ■Dissemination of results ■Promote diversity of bids ■Encourage collaborations

14 Resources Centre ■Interactive web services for networking, sharing and disseminating ■Range of subject-related learning and teaching journals ■Tailored web facilities ■General and subject specialist advice

15 Teacher Excellence ■UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) ■Accreditation Services ■Individual Recognition Service ■National Teaching Awards

16 UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) ■UKPSF – national sector owned standards framework ■Guidance provided and updated regularly ■Report on UKPSF’s profile of use

17 Accreditation Services ■Further develop accreditation service ► PG Certificate ► CPD provision ■Review and re-accreditation ■International accreditation

18 Individual Recognition Service ■Academy Fellowship ► Reviewed ► Developed ► In liaison with HEIs and other providers ■High quality and robust

19 National Teaching Awards ■National Teaching Fellowship Scheme ► Maintain and develop ► Work towards UK-wide scheme ■Student-led teaching awards ► Pilot a UK-wide scheme for excellent teaching

20 Focus: Teacher excellence ■Heart of HEA mission ■Development of reward and recognition work with GENIE CETL ■Accreditation service Your views?

21 Institutional Strategy and Change ■Strategic, institutionally-led change: programme of events ■Learning and teaching survey research: developing intelligence ■Consultancy Services: learning and teaching in higher education ■Policy ‘Think Tank’ on Learning and Teaching in higher education ■Subscriber and Partnership Development

22 Strategic, Institutionally-led Change ■Flexible programme of support for institutional strategic change. ■Meeting current and developing needs and priorities. ■Characterised by a clear enhancement-led focus.

23 Learning and Teaching Survey Research: Developing Intelligence ■Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) ■Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) ■‘State of the subject’ Reports: National Students’ Survey

24 Consultancy Services ■At many different levels to address key issues ► L&T in Higher Education: ‘Getting more for less’ ► L&T challenges for International Staff and Students ► Learning, Teaching, and Leading to maximise students’ learning opportunities ► Commissioned/bespoke ‘Change Academy’ provision ► Using evidence to manage change In Learning and Teaching ( ).

25 Leading Learning and Teaching: Academy Summits ■Forum for senior managers ■Developed out of PVC network ■Linked with HEA’s Policy Think Tank ■Strong focus on influencing national policies and institutional strategies

26 Policy ‘Think Tank’ on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education ■Limited Policy think tank function: ► ‘Policy watch’ and alerts ► Commission and publish policy ‘position papers’ ► Policy related R&D to influence debates and decisions ► Input into national policy consultations ► Advice to government, funders, etc ■Policy influence and stakeholder work

27 Subscriber and Partnership Development ■Effective relationship management ► Intuitional subscriber relations ► Partnership development with key non-institutional stakeholders ► Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body ‘Future Teaching Summits’.

28 Integrated Thematic Work ■Internationalisation ■Assessment and Feedback ■Employability ■Flexible learning ■Retention and success ■Reward and recognition.

29 Why ? A learning experience that will equip students for the rest of their lives.