Developing Practice - University of Liverpool

In this podcast, we chat with Dr. Gita Sedghi from the Department of Chemistry about her groundbreaking work concerning the introduction of a range of developments within the teaching of chemistry. Her innovative practice in various technology-enhanced learning initiatives, including the Maths online assessments and pre-lab activities, has had a significant impact on students’ experience and academic performance.  We hope this podcast will support you to reflect upon inclusivity and the student experience in terms of the implications for your personal practice. If you would like to further your reflections check out the show notes and resources at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Gita has a BSC in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Chemistry. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is engaged in pedagogical research and teaching & learning innovation for chemistry undergraduate programmes. She was awarded external funding including HEA, UKCISA, HEA STEM, and Sigma Mathematics, to perform research in the areas of internationalisation, peer-assisted learning, Maths online assessments with increasing complexity and pre-lab activities.  As a result, she implemented a framework to enhance integration between home and international students in the Chemistry Department. Also, she implemented pre-lab activities across all years of the undergraduate lab courses. She coordinates the peer-assisted learning/peer mentoring scheme in the Department to support first-year and international students. She won the Faculty of Science & Engineering Teaching & Learning Award due to her contributions to the teaching and learning of undergraduate students.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#e156950d-b35e-4a96-8b3a-e6f454a49632

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

In this podcast, we discuss how policy informs our operations at the University but also, importantly, how operations should inform our policy.  We talk about the importance of encouraging communication between colleagues who set the strategy and colleagues who operationalise the strategy.  One way this has been achieved in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is through the Professional Services Student Experience Network.  We hope this podcast will support you to reflect on the importance of communication across teams and the value of respecting everyone’s contribution with a view to ensuring the student experience.

Cath McNamara is the Student Experience Manager in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.  Her role is to support the education strand of Strategy 2026 by ensuring the highest possible quality of student experience for students across the Faculty.  The scope of this role is wide-ranging and touches upon anything that can have an impact upon student experience, but to summarise, it is about supporting teams within Schools and Institutes to deliver a consistent approach to student experience and working with colleagues across the University to ensure that decision-making is informed by the needs of our students and local knowledge of our staff.

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Reading List

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#0e28e6b4-d35d-4c97-9c34-5da0e493abcf

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Dr. Joel Haddley is a Lecturer in Mathematical Sciences at The University of Liverpool and leads the Mathematics Centre for Enhancement in Education (MathsCEE).  In 2018 he was awarded a Learning and Teaching Fellowship at the University in recognition of his development and distribution of automated assessment activities within the Department of Mathematical Sciences with a view to the enhancement of the student experience.

In this podcast, we discuss how Joel found that many online assessment tools are inappropriate for use in University level mathematics and how he worked with colleagues to develop materials or an online assessment platform which is infinitely customizable with questions being coded in a specialist mathematics programming language with a view to producing randomized questions to support student collaboration.  We explore how this innovation has supported timely and high-quality feedback to students, thus enhancing the student experience.   We hope this podcast will support you to reflect on the notion of developing educational technology with a view to personalized learning. If you would like to further your reflections check out the show notes and resources at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#fec7e5cb-7b6b-433d-a2f7-d6cfd2f5690b

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Dr. Shelly Kemp is a Senior Academic Developer in The Academy at The University of Liverpool.  Her role is to contribute to the University achieving its strategic objectives by supporting the effective teaching development of staff so that staff can contribute fully to the success of the University through excellent teaching and assessment.

In this podcast, we discuss the potential diversity of student needs and the importance of inclusive practice.  We explore the deficit discourse often associated with diversity and seek to reflect on what it could mean if we reframe our understanding within the context of diversity gain.  We hope this podcast will support you to reflect upon the implications of inclusive practice for your personal practice. If you would like to further your reflections check out the show notes and resources at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#85154df1-2fe6-404c-bead-758814a815ee

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Emma Thompson is Education Lead for the University of Liverpool Library, leading on the Library contribution to the Education Strategy, and managing the academic success programme, KnowHow.  Emma is a University of Liverpool Hispanic Studies alumna, with a Masters in Information and Library Management, and a PGCert in Learning and Teaching in HE and she became a Senior Fellow of the HEA in 2015. Prior to this role, Emma worked at the University of Manchester and the University of Plymouth libraries.

In this podcast, we discuss how KnowHow has been developed to support the student experience at the University of Liverpool and complement students’ curricula.  We explore the importance of student support in terms of enhancement rather than a deficit.  We hope this podcast will support you to reflect upon the implications of the student experience for your personal practice and how KnowHow could potentially enhance your support for students’ academic literacies. If you would like to further your reflections check out the show notes and resources at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#2477d07a-594f-4e6a-bf41-4d9c70368c68

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Sarah Husain is responsible for the strategic direction of Study Abroad at the University of Liverpool and oversees the work of the team. Originally from the Wirral, she studied for a BA (Hons) in German with Portuguese Minor at the University of Leeds which saw her spend a year in Austria and a semester in Portugal.  Following her undergraduate studies, she completed an MA in Contemporary European Studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin. After working as an International Officer for Leeds Council she returned to her home turf to lead Study Abroad activities at the University of Liverpool. Outside of Study Abroad, she enjoys spending time with her young family.

Dr. Jacqui-Ann Hanley is the Centre Manager for the MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA). This is a collaboration between researchers and clinicians at the University of Liverpool, University of Sheffield and Newcastle University. She is based in the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease (Faculty of Health and Life Sciences) and she is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination for the Centre, including liaising between the three partner institutions, funders and a variety of stakeholders.

Mrs. Jennifer McKenna is a Student Experience Administrator in The School of Histories, Languages, and Cultures at The University of Liverpool. Working within the Quality and Enhancement Team, she provides a wide range of administrative support to staff, students and external associates.

In this podcast, we discuss Springboard, a four-stage self-development programme, open to all women in the early or middle stages of their career at the University of Liverpool, with three members of the 2019 cohort.  We explore some of the content of the programme and the impact the programme has had on colleague’s lives.   We hope this podcast will support you to understand more about this programme and will help you to reflect upon the benefits for yourself or for your female colleagues. If you would like to further your reflections check out the show notes and resources at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Further Information:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#522a19dc-bd28-4456-96a6-97312abcb32f

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Dr. Katie Wheat is Head of Higher Education Engagement at Vitae, leading world-class researcher development to realise the potential of researchers in the UK and internationally. Her responsibilities include engaging with Vitae’s community and audiences on policy and provision for researcher development, through to delivery of training and events. She is a passionate advocate for the importance of career development and equality of opportunity and fulfills this passion through relationships with researcher networks in the UK and internationally. Particular areas of interest include wellbeing, independence, intersectoral mobility, and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. 

In this podcast, we discuss the launch of the new Researcher Development Concordat and some of the new developments it includes.  We explore some of the challenges facing Researchers in Higher Education, in particular, the impact of insecure contracts and the lack of opportunity for continuing professional development, and how the new Concordat seeks to address these challenges.  We hope this podcast will support you, as a Researcher or manager, to reflect upon the implications of the Concordat for your personal practice. If you would like to further your reflections check out the show notes and resources at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#7bf8acbe-598d-4458-999f-cab1cb2d3f18

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool.  The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices.  The podcast hosts Matt Davis and Alex Owen are based in the Academy.  Matt is an Organisational Developer and Alex is an Academic Developer.  To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/

Dr. Ruth Pilkington is a Freelance Educational Consultant, Visiting Professor University of Ulster and a National Teaching Fellow.  Ruth’s approach to learning and teaching focuses on a dialogic approach using a process of deliberative reflection and the concept of critical professionalism through which practitioners are encouraged to engage in the enhancement of practice through scholarship and research.

In this podcast, we discuss the importance of reflection on practice to support the enhancement of learning and teaching.  We explore some of Ruth’s experiences of using dialogue to support colleagues to reflect and through this reflection they are encouraged to enhance their future practice.  We hope this podcast will support you to reflect upon the implications of critical professionalism for your personal practice.  If you would like to further your reflections check out the show notes and resources at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/liverpool/lists/7CAED93D-01E3-077F-01B8-72B27A00F8F2.html?lang=en-US&login=1#1654d46e-ab0a-44fc-8aaf-3f6933cb5214

Music

The Music for our podcasts is brought to you by Purple Planet: https://www.purple-planet.com

In this trailer, we introduce The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast.  We outline the rationale for the podcast and some of the topics we will cover in our first series.   We meet the podcast hosts, Dr. Alex Owen and Matt Davis.

Dr. Alex Owen is a Senior Academic Developer working in collaboration with colleagues from across the Academy, the wider institution and beyond to enhance the development of excellence in learning and teaching in line with the University's strategic objectives. At her previous institution, she was a Faculty of Education based Head of Department and now, at the University of Liverpool, she leads on the design and delivery of a range of opportunities for colleagues to continually develop their professional practice with a view to learning and teaching enhancement.

Alex’s work involves providing 'Peer Learning' leadership across the broad range of Academy activities designed in response to the strategic educational objectives of the University.  She works to cascade and share good learning and teaching practice and to build supportive networks for educational leaders to share and promote excellence in learning and teaching practice at the University.  Her interest lies with the development of opportunities for innovation in educational practices to be acknowledged, celebrated and shared with the wider University community. Twitter @alexandra_owen

Matt Davis is an Organisational Developer (eLearning Lead) and his role is to create blended and online learning design, to commission learning interventions, to consult with managers and leaders on how to enhance performance through learning, to help facilitate strategic change through learning and to perform learning needs analysis. He also conducts evaluation and analysis of all such activities. He has worked in Learning and Development for 11 years in various roles.

Matt is a keen advocate of providing organisational development initiatives to facilitate powerful and positive change in people and thus the organisation they work for. Being very technology-focused and previously running a not for profit eLearning company he sees the huge benefits that online/mobile learning can bring to an organisations ability to learn and adapt for the future, as well as the personal benefits that each staff member can gain. Twitter: @ElearnerMatt

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