Insight Out

Dr. Yu Fu shares her journey in teaching and learning, and how SIME has supported her professional development.

As Programme Director of the MSc Human Resource Management at Lancaster University, she discusses her commitment to inclusive student engagement, employability, and pedagogical innovation.

Yu reflects on how SIME has served as a valuable sounding board—offering not only a space for sharing ideas but also for gaining encouragement and constructive feedback.

She highlights how the networking events and collaborative opportunities within SIME have allowed her to connect with like-minded colleagues, experiment with new strategies, and reflect more deeply on curriculum innovation. 

Harry Rolls reflects on his experiences with SIME from the perspective of an early career researcher at Lancaster University Management School.

He discusses how the community has supported him in navigating the transition from academic to scholarly research, and the importance of finding both an identity and a network of like-minded colleagues in what can sometimes feel like an isolating university landscape.

Harry also explores the impact SIME has had on his teaching practice, the benefits this has brought to his students, and the way these experiences have shaped his career trajectory. The conversation broadens to consider the role of scholarship centres more generally and their value in supporting educators across the higher education sector. 

Dr Beatriz Rodriguez Garcia reflects on her journey as an educator and the role SIME has played in shaping her approach to teaching and learning.

As Programme Director for MSc Marketing and MSc International Business and Management at Lancaster University Management School, she is passionate about creating inclusive and engaging student experiences.

Beatriz discusses how SIME has influenced her thinking on curriculum design, student belonging, and experiential learning — including her use of business simulations like Markstrat. She also shares insights from conference presentations and international collaborations, offering a rich perspective on feedback, reflection, and the value of global exchange.

Lee Francis shares how SIME has supported his scholarship, particularly in exploring the use of video for teaching and enabling his participation at key conferences.

He reflects on the value of belonging to a community where ideas can be developed in collaboration with like-minded colleagues across departments.

Lee also highlights the impact of co-authoring with peers and how SIME has provided both confidence and inspiration in his professional development. His episode illustrates how a supportive academic community can spark creativity, deepen collegiality, and enrich the student experience.

Rachel Beauchamp shares her journey into the SIME community and the transformative impact it has had on her career.

As a professional services colleague, she describes how SIME gave her both a sense of belonging and the confidence to see her voice as central to the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Rachel reflects on how the experience not only empowered her personally but also inspired her to co-create new teaching and learning activities. Her episode highlights the importance of inclusivity within SIME and the difference it can make when everyone feels their contribution matters.

Rose White reflects on the value of being part of SIME as a professional services colleague in Lancaster University Management School.

She discusses how the community gave her opportunities to learn directly from academic staff, deepening her understanding of their teaching practice and the challenges they face.

Rose also celebrates achieving a long-held ambition through SIME’s journal — publishing not one but two articles. Her story highlights how SIME opens doors, creates confidence, and builds bridges across professional and academic roles. Rose’s episode captures the power of community to bring people together in unexpected and rewarding ways. 

Dr William Tayler reflects on how SIME became a vital springboard for his scholarship, giving him the confidence to present his early ideas in a supportive space.

He discusses how a project first shared in a SIME seminar — exploring the role of Instagram in teaching — has since developed into a paper now under revision, and has been showcased at major conferences in the UK and US.

William highlights the importance of collegiality and encouragement, showing how SIME has helped him connect with colleagues at Lancaster while also opening doors to international networks. His episode illustrates the ripple effect of supportive academic communities.

Senior Teaching Fellow, Emma Watton of Lancaster University, looks back on her SIME journey, from early involvement in the pilot project to becoming an active and engaged member of the community.

She shares practical examples of how SIME has enriched her work, from publishing in the SIME journal to presenting at SoTL conferences and co-developing innovative workshops, such as JISC sessions on AI.

Emma reflects on the opportunities SIME has created for collaboration, growth, and visibility — both within Lancaster University and beyond. Her episode captures the energy of working in a space where ideas are tested, shared, and celebrated.

Lancaster University Library Digital Skills Developer Andy Holgate describes how SIME has given him opportunities to collaborate with academics and extend his professional practice.

He shares the story of creating a LinkedIn Learning case study resource, and how the encouragement of the SIME community gave him the confidence to present at conferences and publish in a journal.

Andy reflects on the welcoming and empowering culture of SIME, where experimentation is encouraged and learning is shared. His episode celebrates the fun, collegial, and inspiring environment that makes SIME such a distinctive and energising space. 

In this special launch episode from from SIME — the Centre for Scholarship and Innovation in Management Education at Lancaster University Management School — Professor Radka Newton from Lancaster University interviews student hosts Vlada and Anh, to reflect on their experience creating the podcast. They share what surprised them, what they learned from interviewing SIME members, and their ideas for how students could get involved in the SIME community.

Tune in for an inside look at the beginnings of SIME, the value of educators’ engagement, and the potential for students to contribute to shaping teaching and learning.