Higher Education and Professional Learning
Our focus is the evolving landscape of higher education and the continuous development of professional knowledge and skills. The cluster is open to everyone in the School to examine innovative teaching practices, curriculum design, and how we adapt to complex and changing professional environments.
About our work
The focus of this cluster is to provide a supportive space for both teaching-focused and research-focused staff within the School of Education to explore the evolving landscape of higher education and professional learning. Our cluster is interested in evidence-based practice to inform our understanding of curriculum design and student engagement, and how we as educators adapt our methods to meet the changing needs of professional environments.
We aim to provide space for all colleagues to share their experiences of what works in the classroom, discuss challenges in current teaching practice, and support each other through teaching-based scholarship. As a community of practice, everyone in the School is welcome in this cluster. We hope to provide a space to support pedagogical reflection as a shared activity, allowing us to learn from one another's experiences and maintain a consistent focus on high-quality, informed teaching across our programmes and beyond.
Our activities
- Monthly informal meetings for sharing best practice, current challenges and ideas
- Setting up small focused working groups to tackle specific strategic areas of importance to the School
- Holding seminars and events to support professional learning
- Mentoring and signposting to support both teaching-focused and research-and-teaching-focused staff on teaching-related matters and professional development
Get involved with our work
The Higher Education and Professional Learning cluster is led by Dr Jacqueline Kidman ( j.kidman@sheffield.ac.uk). If you are a member of the School of Education and wish to join the cluster, or you work in a related field and wish to collaborate, please get in touch. If you would like to join our mailing list or suggest a topic for a future meeting, please email j.kidman@sheffield.ac.uk.
