1. Developing a distinctive approach to the Academys work in Scotland Alastair Robertson Senior Adviser, Scotland Presentation at University of Stirling, 14 November 2006

2. Outline of talk Background to the meeting Purpose of the meeting and intended outcomes Developing a distinctive approach Discussion

3. Engaging with Scottish HEIs and policy agenda- Purposes –To highlight range of activities SCs and central Academy colleagues are currently engaged in; –To hear from Scottish colleagues about what the kind of support they would welcome from SCs; –To share current SC strategies and practices with the view to further supporting SCs wishing to expand their roles; –To discuss issues surrounding staff engagement, in general; –To provide a networking opportunity.

4. Engaging with Scottish HEIs and policy agenda- Intended outcomes –New collaborations –Develop positive action plans (individual / collective?) –Strengthen relationships with the Scottish sector –Contribute to and potentially influence future policy-level discussions… –Written report for all SC colleagues and SHEEC.

5. Developing a distinctive approach to the Academys work in Scotland –Policy divergence between Scotland and other parts of UK –UK-wide versus Scottish-specific balance –Central Academy and SCs- closer integration –July 2006 paper to Academys Board

6. Scottish Funding Council 2006-07 Grant Letter £2.012M UK-wide priorities: –…certain key themes, including employability, flexible delivery, quality enhancement of the student learning experience, social inclusion and widening participation (WP), will be stable long-term priorities across the UK… –Professional Teaching Standards; Burgess Group; Strengthening the external examiner system; Research and evaluation resources; Skills; Workplace learning; Student feedback and Teaching Quality Information (TQI); Sustainable development; Health of the disciplines; International dimension. Scottish-specific priorities –…The key priority for SFC is for the Academy to match its support and services to the distinctive quality enhancement arrangements which are in place in Scotland… – support for the embedding of enhancement themes in mainstream practice; –engagement of subject centres in enhancement themes.

7. Academy Scotland 1 Senior Adviser, 0.4 Senior Associate, 1 Project Officer, 0.4 Administrator Co-located with Universities Scotland, Edinburgh Subject Centres (main site, partner sites, country coordinators, key contacts) Partner of the overarching Quality Working Group Representation on national HE L+T Committees incl. SHEEC HEI Liaison Scheme Quarterly Newsletter Sounding Board Policy Developments Briefing (issue 1 due out December 2006) Emphases on individual practitioners, institutions and national policy. www.heacademy.ac.uk/scotland.htm

8. The 2005-06 Institutional Liaison Scheme: Subject Centres- Perceptions Academy Scotland: Enhancement and Engagement, 24 May 2007, Stirling Current engagement: Good 12% Reasonable 23.5% Mixed/variable 47% Minimal 18% Need for greater connectivity between central Academy and Subject Centres and Institutions SCs generally recognised as key for increased buy-in and engagement from Academic staff

9. The Academy in Scotland- 2006/07 Strategic Priorities (Board paper) Joining up at policy, institutional and individual levels. To deliver a coherent package of support to the Scottish sector and contribute to the development of the QEF. Practical how to support for individual institutions in areas identified by them in relation to L, T and A strategies and other aspects of the student learning experience. A greater focus on supporting the professional development of individual staff. Through the Subject Centres, accreditation activities and national recognition of individuals commitment to learning and teaching via an inclusive approach. Increasing work with students including collaborative activities with sparqs. Thematic priorities for curriculum design. Employability, PDP, the Research-Teaching nexus, assessment, e-learning and sustainability.

10. Subject Centres recent activities in Scotland 1.Scottish Contacts and Networks 2.Discipline-focused events organised by SCs and held in Scotland 3.Funding of projects and mini-projects 4.Awards granted to Scottish academics and student awards 5.Scottish universities as partners in SC funded projects 6.Scottish contributions to journals/ magazines/ newsletters published by SCs 7.Departmental visits Increased levels of engagement emerging!

11. Recent integrated activities in Scotland 1.Today 2.2006 Subject Centre conference; session on Enh. Themes 3.23 March 2006 event Supporting QE in Scotland at the subject level and 5 June 2006 event Academy Scotland: Priorities and Plans 4.Visits to SCs by SA, Scotland 5.SC representation on Scottish Sounding Board 6.SHEER project, sparqs project? 7.Scottish Newsletter- articles, event publicity…. 8.Liaison Scheme visits… 9.Education for Sustainable Development, Employability, Assessment etc… 10.Policy Developments briefing; issue 1, Dec 2006 11.Support for Country Consultants, where appropriate? 12.Engaging key contacts? + + +??

12. Discussion question How might we most effectively support each other in our work in Scotland? alastair.robertson@heacademy.ac.uk www.heacademy.ac.uk