Skip navigation

Dr Susan Mathieson

Principal Lecturer

Sue is a Director of Learning and Teaching in the Teaching Excellence team. She leads Northumbria’s Professional Recognition Scheme (NUPRS), which awards HEA Fellowship via the experiential route. Since the Scheme started in 2015 it has awarded 488 Fellowships, including 351 FHEA, 107 SFHEA, and 30 AFHEA.  Sue leads the central programme of continuous professional development (CPD) for Learning and Teaching, which underpins NUPRS, and liaises with departments to support academic learning about the teaching role. She initiated and developed plans for the taught PGCAP route to HEA Fellowship, which is aligned to the Apprenticeship for Academic Professionals. She also leads on Research Rich Learning, and on the Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund.

Sue’s professional practice is underpinned by research on how academics learn about teaching through their engagement in socially situated practices in disciplines, departments and institutions.  This has influenced the development of an approach that links institutional support for developing teaching with departmental practices, with a strong focus on mentoring and tools to support learning. She has a PhD in Educational Research from Lancaster University, with a thesis on changing academic cultures of learning and teaching, and has published on this theme in international journals, as well as presenting widely at conferences. She was awarded a SEDA research grant in 2018 to research induction to teaching practices across disciplines and departments. She has a MA in postcolonial literary theory and honours degrees in Law, Sociology and English. 

Sue joined Northumbria in May 2012, from Heriot Watt University where she led teaching enhancement and the HEA accredited Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. She lived in South Africa from 1985-2009, where she worked in educational development at the University of KwaZulu Natal, and as Education Policy Adviser to the first democratic Parliament, where she facilitated the introduction of the new policy framework for higher education.

Susan Mathieson

  • Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
  • New academics’ experiences of induction to teaching: using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to understand and improve induction experiences, Mathieson, S., Black, K., Allin, L., Hooper, H., Penlington, R., McInnes, L., Orme, L., Anderson, E. 2 Jul 2024, In: International Journal for Academic Development
  • Enhancing Support and Recognition for Teaching Mentors, Meller, S., Allan, J., Elsdon, M., Hayman, R., Mathieson, S. 27 Jun 2023, The North East Universities Consortium Three Rivers Conference
  • Enhancing University mentoring practice through Activity Theory analysis of the lived experiences of Learning and Teaching mentors, Hooper, H., Allan, J., Allin, L., Elsdon, M., Mathieson, S., Penlington, R. 4 Dec 2023, Higher Education Research, Practice, and Policy: Connections & Complexities
  • Culture shock and the gendered teaching experiences of new academics., Hooper, H., Mathieson, S., Black, K., Allin, L., Orme, L., Anderson, E., Penlington, R., McInnes, L. 7 Dec 2021, Society for Research into Higher Education: Annual International Research Conference 2021
  • Integrating research, teaching and practice in the context of new institutional policies: a social practice approach, Mathieson, S. 1 Nov 2019, In: Higher Education
  • New academics’ experiences of induction to teaching: an Activity Theory approach, Mathieson, S., Allin, L., Penlington, R., Black, K., Orme, E., Anderson, E., Hooper, H., McInnes, L. 31 Dec 2019
  • Student Learning, Mathieson, S. 14 Aug 2014, A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Taylor & Francis
  • Disciplinary cultures of teaching and learning as socially situated practice: rethinking the space between social constructivism and epistemological essentialism from the South African experience, Mathieson, S. May 2012, In: Higher Education
  • Developing academic agency through critical reflection: a sociocultural approach to academic induction programmes, Mathieson, S. 2011, In: International Journal for Academic Development

  • Education PhD June 30 2009
  • Senior Fellow (SFHEA) Higher Education Academy (HEA) 2014

Our Staff


a sign in front of a crowd
+

Northumbria Open Days

Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.

Research at Northumbria
+

Research at Northumbria

Research is the life blood of a University and at Northumbria University we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.

NU World
+

Explore NU World

Find out what life here is all about. From studying to socialising, term time to downtime, we’ve got it covered.


Latest News and Features

Autumn 2024 News
Universities re-affirm strategic partnership for city
Spend to Save Britain
Hasan Hamid and Graham Baty outside of Burger Drop on Westgate road.
Volcano
Jing Jiang and Eamon Scullion, pictured holding cube sats
More news

Back to top