Graduate School Researchers Receive HEA Fellowships
23 postgraduate researchers from the University of Huddersfield Graduate School have been awarded HEA fellowships, recognising their commitment and expertise within the teaching profession.
This comes after the Graduate School ran a Learning and Teaching in Higher Education course earlier this year, in collaboration with the School of Education and Professional Development, to provide students with the knowledge and experience needed to apply for HEA fellowships.
This was the first time that the two Schools have run this course, which consisted of 10 weeks of lectures delivered by the School of Education and Professional Development. During this time, the students advanced their knowledge and skills in areas such as pedagogic methods, analytical techniques, and differential learning needs.
Following on from this, the students received mentoring from the Graduate School to support their HEA Fellowship applications. From this first cohort, there were 23 applications, four for the full fellowship and 19 for the associate fellowship, and all applicants were successful in being awarded HEA Fellowships.
The HEA Fellowship is an international recognition of a commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning in higher education, which demonstrates that your practice is aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF).
The full Fellowship was awarded to: Omar Alshaikh, Asim Bashir, Sharon Jones and Kimberley Pager-McClymont.
The Associate Fellowship was awarded to: Muhammad Ayyaz Ahmad, Tanveer Ahmed, Puebla Antwi, Hayley Bullard, Ronalds Busulwa, Michael Cummins, Ebube Ezi, Sam Gillies, Zoe Hanwell-Purves, Jonathan Hawkins, Ivie Liberty, Iona Murphy, Christian Atabong Nchindia, Alice Siggery, Ellen Stokes, Ana Teixeira, Barbara Vackova, Vicky Whitaker, and Thomas Williams.
Reflecting on her success, Iona Murphy, Associate Fellowship recipient said: “The course did wonders for my teaching ability and confidence as a tutor. I learnt so much about pedagogy and was able to critically think about my teaching methods. I was delighted when I found out I had achieved AFHEA status; I felt proud that my efforts to provide a productive and inclusive environment in my seminars had been recognised. I know this will set me up well for a future in academia and I could not have achieved this without the support of the University staff.”
Asim Bashir who was awarded the full Fellowship said: “I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the Learning & Teaching in Higher Education course provided by the University of Huddersfield. The course content and support with my HEA application were crucial to me acquiring HEA Fellow status, which has opened up numerous lecturing opportunities in higher education.”
The Learning and Teaching in Higher Education course is just one example of how the Graduate School is working to ensure that postgraduate researchers graduate with not only a qualification, but also the skills and professional recognition needed to enhance their employability.
The Graduate School will be starting the second iteration of this course in January, where it will look to build on the success achieved in this first year. This will be open to any postgraduate research students who have some experience of teaching in Higher Education.
