The Association for Learning Development in Higher Education #Take5 blog is aimed at all those working in the field of learning development. If you would like to write a blog, please email admin@aldinhe.ac.uk. Blog writers are supported by the Editorial Team as shown below.
Sandra Sinfield SFHEA and CeLP, is Associate Teaching Professor in the Centre for Professional and Educational Development at London Metropolitan University, a co-author of Teaching, Learning and Study Skills: a guide for tutors and Essential Study Skills: the complete guide to success at university (5th Edition), and one of the co-founders of the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDHE). Sandra is interested in creativity as emancipatory practice in Higher Education.
Dr Steve Briggs is currently Director of Learning and Teaching Excellence at the University of Bedfordshire. He is a Chartered Psychologist, National Teaching Fellow (2020) and PFHEA. Steve was previously Co-Chair of the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education where he led work related to professional development and recognition.
Maria King is a Student Education Development Advisor and HEA Senior Fellow at the University of Leeds, supporting staff to develop their teaching and learning practice and achieve professional recognition through the PGCAP and HEA Fellowship schemes. Maria sits on the peer mentoring group as a representative of the Neurodiversity and Inclusivity Community of Practice and also brings her lived experience of being neurodivergent to this group and wider work at her institution delivering support and training on improving your teaching and learning practices through an accessibility lens. Her other professional interests include punk pedagogy, evidence synthesis and literature reviews in HE education, critical information literacy and knowledge practices, and the role of third space professionals in HE.
Dr Katharine Jewitt is an Associate Lecturer at The Open University, a Researcher and Consultant. She has a Ph.D in Virtual Reality and is a Fellow of Advance HE. Katharine is Co-Chair of the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab for Education and Digital Skills. She is former Chair of the Evaluation of Learners’ Experiences of e-learning Special Interest Group (ELESIG) and the UK Digital Learning Community of Practice. Katharine is the Administrator and Web Developer for the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education and Production and Technical Editor for the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. Katharine posts at BlueSky, LinkedIn and X.
Kriya Kalidas is a Learning and Teaching Development Manager working alongside Jennifer Hayes in the Centre for Teaching Enhancement (CTE), supporting AAD, SCDM and GSBL. In this role she manages and contributes to nurturing academic innovation and effective practice and manages a range of programmes, workstreams and initiatives (including MET-CEP and ESJF) designed to improve teaching and learning practice, and to enhance student experience and outcomes. She brings expertise in her role through working in a number of roles at London Met including supporting on student recruitment and academic portfolio.