Aberystwyth University Learning & Teaching Fellowship

Guidelines

Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowship Scheme Guidelines (.pdf) 

Application Form

Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowship Application Form (.doc) 

1. Overview and Aims

The Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowship scheme (hereafter known as the 'AULTF') replaces the Aberystwyth University Teaching Excellence Award (TEA).  The scheme has been remodelled to clarify the assessment criteria and to more closely fit the design and criteria of the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) which, since 2011, is now also open to nominations from Welsh institutions. As with the NTFS, the AULTF scheme is now widened to include appropriate applications from non-academic staff that support learning.

The AULTF is accompanied by an award of £1,200.  This is to support AULTF recipients to continue their professional development in teaching or supporting learning.

The aims of this scheme are to:
  1. Raise the profile of teaching or support for learning at the University;
  2. Recognise and reward individual excellence in teaching or support for learning;
  3. Recognise and celebrate individuals who make an outstanding impact on the student learning experience;
  4. Recognise the individual’s local and wider influence on the teaching, or learning support practice of others;
  5. Provide a route to the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS).

Normally, five individual awards of £1,200 will be made each year.  Additional awards may be made in any year, if funding permits.

1.1 Application Process

Detailed guidelines for the preparation and submission of applications for the AULTF scheme are provided in section 2.  Note that the application process, being modelled on the NTFS, is more rigorous and detailed than that of the previous Teaching Excellence Award (TEA).

Completed applications must be submitted by the application deadline (see section 2.10).

1.2 Administration and Support

The Centre for the Development of Staff and Academic Practice (CDSAP) administers the AULTF under the direction of the Learning and Teaching Fellowship Panel (hereafter known as the 'AULTF Panel') which oversees the criteria, assessment, and selection for the AULTF scheme.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Co-ordinator of CDSAP (email: gjl@aber.ac.uk Tel: 1802) in the early stages of the application writing process. The Co-ordinator can provide advice on writing the application and on the AULTF process.

1.3 Assessment of Applications

Assessment of applications will be made by the AULTF panel comprising Aberystwyth University staff (see section 2.4. for details). 

Awards will be presented at the recipient's respective Graduation Ceremony during July.

AULTF recipients may be eligible to be nominated for the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS).  The AULTF Panel will select up to three members of staff to be nominated for the NTFS.  The most promising of the AULTF recipients will be among those considered for nomination.

AULTF recipients will also be eligible for membership of the Aberystwyth University Teaching Excellence Academy.

2. Guidelines for Applicants

2.1 Eligibility

To be eligible to make an application to the scheme, members of staff will meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Hold a Postgraduate Certificate for Teaching in Higher Education, accredited by the Higher Education Academy;
  • Have at least three years experience of teaching or supporting student learning in higher education;
  • Be a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

2.2 Department Support for Applications

All applications to the scheme must be supported by their department.  Academic and non-academic departments should invite and/or support applications from members of staff who can demonstrate excellence in supporting the student learning experience. Departments are encouraged to consider the full diversity of roles that support the student learning experience. It is for Heads of Departments or Services and the applicant to identify and demonstrate evidence of excellence in the context of the departmental, academic or professional specialism and the applicant’s opportunities to make an impact on student learning.

The AULTF scheme welcomes applications from as broad and diverse a range of staff as possible. Aberystwyth University operates and Equality Scheme  and is committed to equal opportunities to ensure that no one is treated less favourably than another on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious or political beliefs, disability, marital status, social background, family circumstance, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, spent criminal convictions, age, or for any other unlawful reason.

2.3 Assessment Criteria

All applicants will be assessed on evidence provided in the core application documents in relation to each of the three criteria listed below. Please note that:

  • Applicants should address and make a case for each criterion fully and in turn;
  • Each of the three criteria will be given equal consideration in the assessment process;
  • Applicants should not feel limited by the illustrative examples below. The examples are intended to provide indicative areas of evidence for each of the criteria;
  • The AULTF scheme also recognises and values relevant impact and engagement beyond the applicant's immediate academic or professional role.

Criterion 1: Individual excellence: evidence of promoting and transforming the student learning experience.

For example by: arousing curiosity to stimulate and inspire learning, organising and presenting resources cogently and imaginatively, recognising and supporting diversity of student learning needs, drawing upon the results of relevant research, scholarship and professional practice, engaging with and contributing to the established literature or the applicant's own evidence base.

Criterion 2: Raising the profile of excellence: evidence of supporting colleagues and influencing support for student learning in (and, if appropriate, beyond) the applicant's institution, through demonstrating impact and engagement beyond the applicant's immediate academic or professional role.

For example by: contributing to the development of colleagues in promoting student learning, contributing to departmental/faculty/institutional/national initiatives to facilitate student learning, contributing to and/or supporting meaningful and positive change with respect to pedagogic practice, policy and/or procedure. 

Criterion 3: Developing excellence: the applicant's commitment to her/his ongoing professional development with regard to teaching and learning and/or learning support.

For example by: ongoing review and enhancement of individual practice, engaging in professional development activities, engagement in the review and enhancement of individual practice, contributing to improvements in the student learning experience.

2.4 Assessment Process

Applications will be considered by the AULTF Panel who will judge applications on the information submitted against the three assessment criteria, the supporting statement from the Head of Department and the short CV.  No other information will be taken into consideration.

The AULTF Panel consists of:

  • Pro Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching (Chair)
  • Dean of Science
  • Dean of Arts
  • Dean of Social Science
  • Learning and Teaching Development Coordinator
  • Co-ordinator for the Centre for the Development of Staff and Academic Practice
  • President of the Guild of Students'
  • A member of the Aberystwyth University Teaching Excellence Academy

Panel members will review each application against the assessment categories (see section 2 of the Application Form) provided by the applicant. The AULTF Panel members will submit their feedback to CDSAP prior to the panel meeting.

The AULTF Panel members will rate each of the criteria using the following grade descriptors. These are taken from the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, so that recipients of the AULTF will be familiar with these if they are subsequently nominated for a NTFS award.  Each of the three criteria will be equally weighted within the assessment process. The grade descriptors are:

Alpha One

The application meets the criterion in full, in explicit and relevant ways and in a wide range of contexts, commensurate with the applicant's role/opportunity to contribute to teaching or the support of learning. The application demonstrates an outstanding contribution which has transformed student learning. The work of this individual, as presented in the application, has significantly raised the profile and/or standard of learning and teaching and demonstrates the potential to do so in the future. The evidence provided toward this criterion is commensurate with that expected of an Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellow.

Alpha Two

The application meets the criterion in full, in explicit and relevant ways and in a reasonable range of contexts in light of their role/opportunity to contribute to teaching or the support of learning. The application demonstrates an outstanding contribution to student learning. The work of this individual, as presented in the application, has raised the profile and/or standard of learning and teaching and demonstrates the potential to do so in the future. The evidence provided toward this criterion is commensurate with that expected of an Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellow.

Alpha Three

The application meets the criterion in full, in explicit and relevant ways but in a limited range of contexts in light of their role/opportunity to contribute to teaching or the support of learning. The application demonstrates an outstanding contribution to student learning. The work of this individual, as presented in the application, has to some extent raised the profile and/or standard of learning and teaching and also demonstrates the potential to do so in the future. The evidence provided toward this criterion is commensurate with that expected of an Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellow.

Beta One

The application demonstrates substantial but not complete fulfilment of the criterion.  Some explicit and relevant examples are provided. In light of the applicant’s role/opportunity to contribute to teaching or the support of learning, there is insufficient evidence provided to fulfil the criterion and the examples provided could be more wide-ranging.  The application demonstrates that the individual’s work has raised the profile and/or standard of learning and teaching to some extent and clearly shows the potential to do so in the future.

Beta Two

The application demonstrates some fulfilment of the criterion.  Some explicit examples are provided but these are not always sufficiently relevant, substantial or wide-ranging.  In light of the applicant’s role/opportunity to contribute to teaching or the support of learning, there is insufficient evidence provided (in depth or breadth).  The application clearly demonstrates the potential to raise the profile and/or standard of learning and teaching but does not show that this has yet been achieved.

Beta Three

The application demonstrates some fulfilment of the criterion. Few explicit examples are provided and these are not always sufficiently relevant, substantial or wide-ranging. In light of the applicant’s role/opportunity to contribute to learning and teaching and/or pedagogic practice, there is insufficient evidence provided (in depth or breadth). The application demonstrates some potential to raise the profile and/or standard of learning and teaching.

Gamma

The application does not demonstrate fulfilment of the criterion. There is little or no explicit and/or relevant evidence provided and the evidence provided does not seem to reflect the applicant's role/opportunity to contribute to learning and teaching or the support of learning. The evidence provided in this application is not commensurate with the standard expected of an Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellow.

Nota Bene

Those applicants achieving an overall Alpha grading are clearly of a sufficient standard to justify the awarding of a Fellowship, although as this a competitive process, not all those with an overall Alpha grading will necessarily receive an award in a particular application round.  Those who do not will be encouraged to resubmit in subsequent rounds.

Those achieving an overall Beta, or mixed Alpha and Beta grading, will be encouraged to redraft their applications for subsequent rounds, seek additional evidence and further develop their practice before resubmission in subsequent rounds. 

Those applicants that achieve one or more Gamma grading, will be encouraged to seek support in further developing their practice and in rewriting future applications.

The AULTF Panel will make its selection on the basis of their joint assessments and Head of Department Statement of Support.

The Panel will not be permitted to consider applications from their own department, or from any department with which there may be a conflict of interest.

The AULTF Panel's decision is final.

2.5 Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted electronically, by the Head of Department or their representative; in accordance with section 2.6 below (please note maximum word/page lengths):

  1. Application Form (for internal administration only)
  2. Statement of Support from the applicant's Head of Department (maximum 750 words).
  3. Applicant's Reflective Practice Statement of Excellence in Teaching and/or Supporting Learning: a statement of how the individual demonstrates excellence relevant to each of the three assessment criteria (maximum 2500 words in total).
  4. Brief Curriculum Vitae (maximum 750 words or 2 sides of A4 whichever is less).
  5. Personal profiles and photographs (compulsory but not assessed): Section 3 of the Application Form requires applicants to provide a 250 word personal profile and a high quality photograph. Personal profiles will not be assessed as part of the application. Please note that personal profiles and photographs are a required component for a complete submission to the AULTF.

The applicant’s department may find the following guidance helpful in compiling the application documents:

Application Form: Applicants must complete all sections in full.

Statement of Support: The supporting statement from the Head of Department is an essential aspect of the application. It is recommended that the applicant's claim for AULTF is read prior to composing the departmental Statement of Support.

Although there is no standard form or structure to the statement, it may be helpful to provide evaluative comments under the three assessment criteria with plausible evidence to support the achievements stated in the applicant's Reflective Statement. In particular, the statement should:

  • Endorse the validity of the applicant's claim for excellence;
  • Provide a departmental context within which the applicant has been identified as excellent;
  • Provide any additional supporting information which might be most appropriately expressed by a Head of Department rather than the applicant her/himself.

Applicant's Reflective Practice Statement of Excellence in Teaching and/or Supporting Learning: Applicant's are encouraged to present their excellence claim against the three criteria with reference to examples of supporting evidence, which may include (but need not be confined to): student feedback and evaluations, feedback from peer observations, feedback from other national engagements, student support materials and work with other partner institutions, and organisations. The decision of what constitutes appropriate evidence rests with the applicant and the applicant’s department.

Individuals from various academic disciplines and from non-academic areas inevitably demonstrate different writing and analytical styles and this will be taken into account in the assessment process. As such, there is no 'style of writing' that is expected in applications and examples will be assessed and marked for their contribution to the assessment criteria as a whole.

Curriculum Vitae: Applicant's are advised to focus on their experience and outputs with a view to demonstrating a robust commitment to enhancing and supporting student learning and delivering or facilitating teaching excellence. Please note that the CV must not exceed 750 words or 2 sides of A4 whichever is less and must adhere to the formatting requirements in section 2.6.

2.6 Formatting Requirements

All documents (Statement of Support, Reflective Practice Statement and CV) must adhere to all of the following formatting requirements. Other formats will not be accepted.

Word limit / page lengths:

  • Statement of Support: maximum 750 words
  • Reflective Practice Statement of Excellence in Teaching and/or Supporting Learning: maximum 2500 words
  • Curriculum Vitae: maximum 750 words or 2 sides of A4 whichever is less.
  • Font: Arial 11 point
  • Page orientation: A4 portrait only
  • Line spacing: 1.5 lines
  • Margins: 2cm minimum (not including footers)
  • Headers: No header required.
  • Footer: Should indicate "page x of y" only.
  • In addition to all the above, the Reflective Practice Statement of Excellence in Teaching and/or Supporting Learning should adhere to the following formatting requirements:
  • Included in word limit: All section headings, text within tables or diagrams, numerical characters and any references will count towards the word limit.
  • Footnotes: Should not be used. References should be included in the body text or put as endnotes, which should be added to the final word count.
  • Pictures: Should not contain any pictures.
  • Diagrams: Are permitted. Any text appearing within the diagram should be manually counted and stated next to the diagram in brackets and added to the final word count.
  • Web links: Should only be used for reference. The content of web links will not be considered in the assessment.
  • Final word count: The entire document should be highlighted and the word count tool utilised, ensuring that the tick box "include footnotes and endnotes" is selected, to add up all relevant free text. If any text is included in diagrams this should be added to the word count total and the total sum should be stated at the end of the document. Headers and footers are not counted.

The AULTF Panel requires a strict application of the above formatting requirements to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants. Any applications failing to adhere to these requirements will be automatically rejected after the application deadline. It is therefore the responsibility of the applicant and the applicant’s department to ensure that the submission adheres to the requirements with regard to formatting and word limit/page lengths. Rejected applications, which have been reformatted, will not be accepted after the application deadline.

2.7 Submission and Receipt of Applications

  • The application must be sent electronically to cdsap@aber.ac.uk by the Head of Department or their representative
  • The subject heading should read 'Application for Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowship'.
  • The application should be a merged Microsoft Word document
  • The application should be received by 12.00am on the application deadline date
  • A separate electronic submission should be sent for each applicant. Electronic signatures are not required.
  • Receipt of electronic applications will be acknowledged by email to the individual that submitted the application.

Please note that applications will be manually checked to ensure that they meet formatting requirements before acknowledgement is sent. If the individual submitting the application does not receive an email within 48hrs of submission, they should contact the CDSAP team at cdsap@aber.ac.uk (Tel: 01970 621802).

2.8 Outcomes and Publicity

All applicants will be informed of the outcome by letter. The letter will also be copied to the Head of the applicant’s department and the Dean of Faculty.

The names of the Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowships winners will be officially announced by press release in June.

All applicants will receive feedback from the AULTF Panel in the letter. However, the AULTF Panel emphasises that the AULTF is a competition and that Fellowships will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged to work with the Centre for the Development of Staff and Academic Practice to further improve their teaching or support of learning and/or assist in redrafting of applications for future resubmission.

Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowship winners may be eligible for institutional nomination for the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS). Fellows wishing to be considered for nomination to the NTFS should contact the Co-ordinator of CDSAP to express their interest.

2.9 Graduation Ceremony and Aberystwyth University Teaching Excellence Academy

Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowships will be presented at the recipient's respective Graduation Ceremony in July.

Attendance at the Graduation Ceremony is a requirement of the award.

Aberystwyth University Teaching Fellows will be expected to make a positive contribution to the development of teaching and learning within Aberystwyth University and be eligible for membership of the Aberystwyth University Teaching Excellence Academy. Fellows may be asked to contribute to learning and teaching development activities within the University. These may include assisting with continuing professional development activities or University promotional activities.

2.10 Deadline and Assessment Schedule

The 2012 timetable for the submission and assessment process:

DateAction
13 February 2012 Call for Applications Opens
16 April 2012 Deadline to receive electronic applications
1 June 2012 Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowships announced
10-13 July 2012 Aberystwyth University Learning and Teaching Fellowships presented at recipient's respective Graduation