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How do we move from measuring student compliance to measuring true potential?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Miri Firth, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead for Assessment at the University of Manchester, to discuss the structures of traditional Higher Education assessment. Recorded following the UUK – APP Conference 2025 that we both presented at, this conversation dives deep into why "flexible assessment" is no longer just a trend, but a necessary transition for a diverse and modern student body.Dr. Firth argues that when we give students agency over how they are assessed, we don't just improve accessibility for neurodivergent and disadvantaged learners; we foster the professional identity and decision-making skills required for the 21st-century workplace.Whether you are an academic looking for "small wins" in module design, a senior leader shaping institutional strategy, or a policy-maker focused on access and participation (APP), this episode offers a roadmap for making Higher Education more equitable through the power of assessment.Resources Mentioned:Framework for Flexible Assessment: https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/members/framework-for-flexible-assessment-(5).pdf?sfvrsn=cc3da981_2 Connect with Dr. Miri Firth:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirifirth/
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If today’s talk on assessment and equity sparked a thought, don't keep it to yourself. Engage, comment, and share. Your voice is what makes this a community.
Instagram: @beforeourfriendsdie
X (Twitter): @akhiandsaltfish
Email Us: [email protected]
Before Our Friends Die is built on a simple premise: there are things we need our friends to know now. Whether it's urgent social conversations or learning from those leading the way, you are our friends, and these talks are for you.
Full BOFD Archive: Watch the Journey
Inclusive Stories: Watch the Collection
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We don't just talk education. Check out the rest of the family:
🥊 SOFA SENSE’S: Deep dives into the world of combat sports.
🎵 Cool. Fine. Done. Wicked.: For the music obsessed.
Stay tuned. We’ve got more coming your way.
📺 Explore the Archive🌐 The akhi&saltfish Digital Network
You join me for a special episode reflecting with Dr Emma Heron, Head of Learning and Teaching Enhancement at the University of Northampton, discussing her recent conference on Trust and Resilience. We discuss the themes of the conference, I share my learnings creating Trust Guildelines which centre student voice on how to build trust and we debate AI in assessment and feedback. It was a pleasure talking with Emma, thanks to her for her generosity of time and wisdomCheck out my episode with Jane Pilcher and Hannah Deakin-Smith on Names: https://youtu.be/S7d_KFeMjnIEngage, comment, like, share and let us know your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you. We can be found on Instagram @beforeourfriendsdie and X @akhiandsaltfish and don’t forget to get in touch, let us know how you’re finding it and ask questions at: [email protected]. Watch all episodes in the Before Our Friends Die archive now: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5-61wFD0DBQYSofEcUphkr1 For more inclusive stories, visit our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5_NG_VxAUUC1diwCvfwR_nW SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND FIND US ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORM. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69nG-YtZpPDwf3q8ipCZew Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5T7f14xql1O0z2sQQSwKDd Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/akhi-saltfish-present/id1607369285?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podcast_box_link Any other: https://anchor.fm/akhiandsaltfish Before Our Friends Die is a podcast on the akhi&saltfish Digital Network. The concept is: "Before Our Friends Die, we want them to know about..." and you, the audience, are our friends. Sometimes it's about having the conversations that often get overlooked yet feel urgent. Equally, it can be about speaking to someone who is where we want to be and asking them how they did it. The Network also features: - SOFA SENSE'S, where we talk about and to those in, the fight world! - Cool. Fine. Done. Wicked. A podcast about music we’re passionate about. If any of those catch your interest, subscribe and stay tuned, we’ve got more coming your way!
On Friday 4th October 2024, the akhi&saltfish Digital Network hosted perhaps our most important conversation yet, a Sickle Cell Community Roundtable discussing the experiences, challenges, and successes of those living with or dedicating their lives to supporting Sickle Cell Warriors.
This is a very special episode from the akhi&saltfish Digital Network, where we supported Dr Marcella Daye by covering the action at her Step Together Ladies' Celebration Brunch, which marked the culmination of her latest participatory action research on health inequalities.
2023 was a crazy year in Combat Sports and my wish for 2024 is to make it bigger and better. Here’s how ⬇️:
1. Better information, advice and guidance for fighters on brain damage. Tris Dixon's book, Damage is a really impactful read that speaks of the untold damage happening to fighters in the training room, on the road and in the ring and with Floyd Mayweather Sr recently being diagnosed with dementia, fighters need to know the risks and early🙏🏽
2. More accountable judges and commissions. Let's face it - combat sports needs regulating. But it needs regulating to a high standard. Some judges and commissions fall short of that regularly and we never hear what actually happens after...more accountability please.
3. Open scoring. Much like point 2 - in no other sport do you not know the result until the end with no insight along the way. Open scoring will help weed out the incompetent judges and let fighters take their destiny into their own hands.
4. Support for ex-fighters. They give their all to us for our entertainment. Their aftercare is important too - that's why we support Ringside Charitable Trust and encourage you to do the same: https://www.theringsidecharitabletrust.com/how-to-donate
5. DAZN, Prime, Sky, TNT, and FITE TV are just some of the places you can watch fights...what happened to the terrestrial days. More mainstream showcases is a must to continue to grow the spectacle we love!
What do you want to see more of in Combat Sports this year? Let me know in the comments!
How to fix Boxing: https://youtu.be/fZ-qFVhCkG0
How to fix MMA: https://youtu.be/Yt4M3xod0DM
SOFA SENSEI'S The Ringwalk Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5-2ldJs7jSlqHFumvvbMxlZ
CHECK OUT OUR SOFA SENSEI'S ARCHIVE: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5-FBM5rpWV1DVpQTWKxNm88
Follow SOFA SENSEIS: https://www.instagram.com/sofasenseis/
Engage, comment, like, share and let us know your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you.
We can be found on Instagram @sofasenseis and X @akhiandsaltfish and don’t forget to get in touch, let us know how you’re finding it and ask questions at: [email protected].
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND FIND US ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORM.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69nG-YtZpPDwf3q8ipCZew
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5T7f14xql1O0z2sQQSwKDd
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/akhi-saltfish-present/id1607369285?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podcast_box_link
Any other: https://anchor.fm/akhiandsaltfish
SOFA SENSEI'S is a podcast on the akhi&saltfish Digital Network about combat sports from the perspective of what some may call couch coaches or armchair experts but we are SOFA SENSEI'S who say it how we see it, with a fighter first perspective.
The Network also features:
- Before Our Friends Die, where we talk about a diverse range of interesting topics.
- Cool. Fine. Done. Wicked. A podcast about music we’re passionate about.
If any of those catch your interest, subscribe and stay tuned, we’ve got more coming your way!
2023 was a crazy year in MMA and my wish for 2024 is to make it bigger and better. Here’s how ⬇️:
What do you want to see more of in MMA this year? Let me know in the comments!
SOFA SENSEI'S The Ringwalk Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5-2ldJs7jSlqHFumvvbMxlZ
CHECK OUT OUR SOFA SENSEI'S ARCHIVE: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5-FBM5rpWV1DVpQTWKxNm88
Follow SOFA SENSEIS: https://www.instagram.com/sofasenseis/
Engage, comment, like, share and let us know your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you.
We can be found on Instagram @sofasenseis and X @akhiandsaltfish and don’t forget to get in touch, let us know how you’re finding it and ask questions at: [email protected].
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND FIND US ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLATFORM.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69nG-YtZpPDwf3q8ipCZew
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5T7f14xql1O0z2sQQSwKDd
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/akhi-saltfish-present/id1607369285?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podcast_box_link
Any other: https://anchor.fm/akhiandsaltfish
SOFA SENSEI'S is a podcast on the akhi&saltfish Digital Network about combat sports from the perspective of what some may call couch coaches or armchair experts but we are SOFA SENSEI'S who say it how we see it, with a fighter first perspective.
The Network also features:
- Before Our Friends Die, where we talk about a diverse range of interesting topics.
- Cool. Fine. Done. Wicked. A podcast about music we’re passionate about.
If any of those catch your interest, subscribe and stay tuned, we’ve got more coming your way!
We're back with Part 2 talking all about Lunar New Year which starts TODAY!
Last week we were joined by Psychologist and founder of Positive Psychology for Life, Dr Kati Adeseko to discuss all things grief. An important coversation that will bring you an understanding of:
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