The Senior Scholar role offers an advanced pathway for colleagues with a teaching or student-engaged role to gain acknowledgement from the University and peers for continued engagement in the Scholarship of Learning, Teaching and Assessment at a strategic level. The role is underpinned by a Distributive Leadership model which recognises change agents and opinion leaders in innovative academic practice at all levels across the University.
Applicants for the Senior Scholar role will be experienced staff who can provide evidence of influential, research-informed enhancement of learning, teaching and assessment through one or more of the following routes:
¿ the successful completion of a Caledonian Scholar project
¿ the successful completion of an externally funded learning and teaching project (e.g. supported by the Higher Education Academy or JISC)
¿ a sustained high level of scholarly activity (e.g. developing policy and practice as a Subject and/or Programme Lead).
The criteria for the Senior Scholar role and related projects are detailed below.
The criteria map to GCU’s accredited AcceleRATE Framework for Learning and Teaching (2012) which in turn reflects the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education (UKPSF, 2011). Consequently, Senior Scholars may use evidence from their strategic learning and teaching projects to address several of the key criteria for recognition as either a Fellow or a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). In addition, successful completion of the Senior Scholar role will provide evidence towards aspects of GCU promotion criteria, although it does not in itself guarantee promotion.
An opportunity to apply for these roles will be offered annually by the University, facilitated by GCU LEAD. Before submitting a proposal applicants should gain the support of their School Senior Management. Given the strategic importance of Senior Scholar projects, applicants are expected to adopt a collaborative, team-based approach which involves colleagues from different Departments and/or Schools. Applications will be reviewed by external subject and/or education experts before final decisions based on these reviews are made by the PVC (Learning and Teaching).
Successful projects should normally be completed within two years and will attract funding of £3000 which will be transferred to the CPD accounts of successful applicants.
For further information or to discuss potential ideas, please contact Professor Linda Creanor, GCU LEAD (
[email protected]) in the first instance.