Northumbria University is committed to the development and recognition of staff. The following professional recognition schemes and learning and teaching development activities are available for all Northumbria staff members:
More information for Northumbria Staff can be found here
Education Quality Enhancement Fund (EQEF)
The future success of the University depends on developing academic excellence and maximising the satisfaction of our students. These experiences can be improved by driving innovation and quality enhancement in the curriculum. The focus of this year's EQEF will be on projects which enhance distance and blended learning, and promote inclusivity in relation to Northumbria University Strategy and Business Outcomes 2018/23 and TEF.
There are 2 strands of funding for 2020/21:
Competitive small grants: Awards of up to £1000 to support innovation in learning and teaching at subject and Department level. Awards will be made to projects that enhance distance and blended learning, and promote inclusivity in relation to Northumbria University Strategy and Business Outcomes 2018/23 and TEF. Applications can be submitted by individuals or groups. Projects require approval by the HoD and Deputy Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor, and that they align with Northumbria University Strategy and Business Outcomes 2018/23 and with Subject TEF priorities. Applicants should consult with TEF leads in their departments, both with regard to building in impact that can be used in a future TEF narrative, and to understanding split metrics around ethnicity, disability, age, etc. for their programmes and departments.
Rewarding excellence and innovation in teaching: Individual awards of £500 outlining the delivery of excellence in teaching, based on applications approved by the HoD, with evidence of impact to address TEF criteria (Teaching Quality, Learning Environment, Student Outcomes) and alignment with Northumbria University Strategy and Business Outcomes 2018/23. It is expected that applicants will identify how the fund will be used to evaluate and disseminate successful teaching enhancements, provide evidence of impact against TEF criteria and for career development linked to the enhancement of learning and teaching.
Northumbria staff can find out more about the scheme by following this link.
Northumbria University Professional Recognition Scheme (NUPRS)
In acknowledging the importance of supporting colleagues to achieve and be recognised for such excellence, the University has developed a Northumbria University Professional Standards Framework (NUFPS), which comprises a professional recognition process, a Learning & Teaching Development Programme and Peer Support which are aligned to the UK Professional Standards for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education (UKPSF). This alignment helps us to define and articulate good teaching so that all staff have a clear understanding of what is expected in relation to their role.
Professional recognition provides opportunities for staff to reflect on activities they are already engaged in and benchmark practice in relation to subject teaching culture and community of practice against a set of standards. It supports the sharing of good practice and evidences the quality of teaching and learning at Northumbria more broadly so that we can optimise the different teaching strengths and qualities that exist across the University.
It also encourages ongoing professional development, ‘good standing’, as staff update and maintain their capability as a teacher or supporter of learning appropriate to their role and career aspirations. Professional recognition is open to anyone who teaches or supports learning regardless of the stage in their career and role at Northumbria. Engaging in the process supports staff to achieve nationally benchmarked, portable and formal recognition for professionalism since our professional recognition scheme has been accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Depending on the role and the range of teaching and/ or learning support activities, staff can be recognised as Associate Fellow, Fellow, Senior Fellow or Principal Fellow of the HEA.
Northumbria staff can find out more about the scheme by following this link.
The purpose of the National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) Scheme is to recognise, reward and celebrate individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. The NTF is organised and run by Advance HE. Each Institution can put forward up to three NTF submissions per Institution.
Further NTFS information can be found on the Advance HE website - here. Should you be interested in applying for NTF you should contact your Head of Department in the first instance followed by seeking Faculty approval via the Deputy Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor (DFPVC); submissions usually require a 300-word summary of your proposal.
NTF Attainment:
The following current Northumbria University Staff have successfully attained an NTF Award; in some instances this may have been whilst working at another institution:
Dr John Unsworth Health and Life Sciences 2013
Dr Elizabeth Hoult Health and Life Sciences 2004
Dr Vanessa Taylor Health and Life Sciences 2020
Dr Elaine Gregson (nee Campbell) Business and Law 2016
NTFS Dates for 2022:
Dates for future submissions will be published in October 2021.
The following briefly outlines the internal process stages:
The following are the materials that were available for previous submissions and will be updated once 2022 information has been released by the Advance HE.
National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) Workshops:
If you are considering applying for the National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) Scheme in 2022 or beyond further information can be found via the Advance HE website.
Queries:
Should you need any further guidance on the NTF process please contact the Governance and Enhancement Team via the AS Professional Recognition inbox or for general information, Northumbria staff can find out more here.
The purpose of CATE is to recognise and celebrate collaborative work that has had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning. The scheme highlights the key role of teamwork in higher education. The CATE is organised and run by Advance HE (incorporating the Higher Educating Academy).
Further CATE information can be found on the Advance HE website - here. Should you be interested in applying for CATE you should contact your Deputy Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor (DFPVC) or Head of Department.
CATE benefits to individuals and to institutions - here
CATE Dates for 2022: TBC
If you wish to apply for CATE 2022, a date will be made available later in the year.
The following are the materials that were available for previous submissions and will be updated once 2022 information has been released by the Advance HE:
Northumbria University Staff can find more information on CATE here.
Peer Support Scheme
Peer Support forms a key element of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provision at Northumbria University and aims to facilitate continual improvement of learning and teaching through recognition, sharing and development of good practice. Peer observation of practice is an important collegial professional development tool for HE staff. It is a collaborative, non-judgemental process that aims to promote dialogue about how to engage students in learning. It enables staff to learn from each other through observing and being observed, thus gaining a shared understanding of best practice; it provides opportunities to observe students as they are learning, and helps Northumbria as an institution to identify developmental needs amongst its staff as a whole (Race, 2009). Within the Peer Support process, the learning from observing/reviewing professional practices of other staff is regarded as being as valuable as being reviewed/observed.
Northumbria staff can find out more about the scheme by following this link.
3 Rivers Conference
3 Rivers is the North East regional annual learning and teaching conference. The regional conference has built upon the success of previous partnership events held by the region’s Universities (Northumbria, Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside).
Northumbria staff can find out more about the conference by following this link.
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