Academic Practice Research Group
Learning Enhancement and Innovation
Recent years have seen an increased interest in colleagues undertaking research, relating both to pedagogic practice and issues supporting such practice. The 2008 evaluation of the Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund initiative identified many benefits arising from small-scale research projects - for students, staff and the institution as a whole. The evaluation also highlighted the need for more support for staff in starting and continuing research activity. This support includes staff development, academic leadership, and a community of practice environment offering mutual support and dissemination opportunities.
The focus is on academic practice in Higher Education, including pedagogic practice and issues relating to the delivery and support of learning. These include transformative learning; assessment; Continuous Professional Development; student retention, progression and achievement; technology enhanced learning; employer engagement and work-based learning; and evaluation practice.
The idea for the group germinated from the TQEF evaluation as a 'bottom-up' driver for change. The response from the invitation confirmed staff enthusiasm and the timing resonates with a University commitment to encouraging Research Centres and Groups to flourish.
Working together offers many benefits, including:
- Opportunities to learn from each other, within a Community of Practice
- Reduction of 'silo-working'
- Cross-disciplinary and inter-professional research
- Support for novice researchers
- Networking
- Individual professional and career development
- Increased publications
- Strengthening the teaching/ research nexus
- Strengthening academic/ academic-support staff links
- Potential to develop consultancy
- Potential to raise the profile of the institution
- Promote income development for the development and sustainability of the group.
All members of University of Derby and collaborative partner staff are welcome to join the group. The Research Group works closely with the Education & Career Development Research Centre, with some joint-membership. APRG is co-ordinated by Professor Barbara Dexter in LEI. For details and a membership pro-forma, please contact h.toller@derby.ac.uk.
