Staff are invited to express their interest in applying for this year’s National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS). The scheme coordinated by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) recognises and rewards individual excellence in teaching in Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The University has achieved good success in recent rounds of the scheme.
The scheme aims to raise the profile of learning and teaching; recognise and celebrate individuals who make an outstanding impact on the student learning experience; and provide a national focus for institutional teaching and learning excellence schemes.
Recent lists of recipients include those responsible for networks to support learning, authors of textbooks, staff with management responsibilities for teaching, consultants, pedagogic researchers and committee chairs. Further details about the scheme are available on the Higher Education Academy (HEA) website.
Preparation of a case for a National Teaching Fellowship usually involves collating evidence to provide a convincing case for excellence. In addition to excellent student feedback and assessment results, evidence of a national reputation for learning and teaching is typically expected. One would normally expect to assemble commendatory quotations from key figures, both institutionally and nationally.
Scheme for 2018
The HEA have just announced details of their award scheme for 2018. The individual NTF award will open on 12th February 2018 and the Collaborative CATE award on 5th March 2018. The preparation of a case can itself be expected to contribute to professional development for teaching and learning and/or learning support. The evidence that is collated can also be used in cases for promotion that depend on demonstrating excellence in teaching, and in applications for a Senior Fellowship or a Principal Fellowship of the HEA.
Call for expressions of interest
Any member of staff who is interested in submitting an application for a National Teaching Fellowship is asked to write an initial statement of around 500 words against the scheme criteria:
- Individual excellence: evidence of enhancing and transforming the student learning experience commensurate with the individual’s context and the opportunities afforded by it.
- Raising the profile of excellence: evidence of supporting colleagues and influencing support for student learning; demonstrating impact and engagement beyond the nominee’s immediate academic or professional role.
- Developing excellence: evidence of the nominee’s commitment to her/his ongoing professional development with regard to teaching and learning and/or learning support.
Decisions on which candidates are to be asked to prepare a full application will be made by a steering group that works to the Pro Vice Chancellor for Education, with senior representation included from each Faculty. The group expects to select up to three members of staff to receive mentoring support to prepare the full application.
The process within the University for applications under the scheme is coordinated by The Leadership, Organisational, Staff & Academic Development Academy (“The Academy”)
Potential candidates are welcome to contact Dr Charles Buckley at Charles.Buckley@liverpool.ac.uk / Ext. 41165 for further advice.
Expressions of interest should be submitted to Dr Buckley by 26th February 2018. An expression of interest should be accompanied by a brief endorsement (e.g. via email) from the Head of Department.