Reflecting on the Fellowship Process
Applying for Fellowship of ALDinHE was one of the most rewarding pieces of professional reflection I’ve done in recent years. What I initially expected to be quite a formal process actually became a deeply collegial and affirming experience. I was fortunate to take part in the ALDinHE writing retreats, which provided a relaxed and supportive space for sharing ideas and building confidence. Having a colleague who was also applying made a huge difference too: we acted as critical friends, exchanging drafts and constructive feedback while encouraging each other to own and celebrate our achievements.
Connecting the Threads of My Practice
The process itself was an opportunity to pause and look back at how my career has shaped my approach to Learning Development: to trace the connections between the different roles I’ve held and the ideas that have shaped my practice. As such, it represented a rare chance to pause and connect all the scattered pieces of my thinking about what I do, why I do it, and where I want to go next, into something clearer and more purposeful. The process really helped to clarify my direction and boosted my confidence
Writing-as-Thinking: Practising What We Preach
The process also served as a timely reminder of just how powerful writing-as-thinking can be. This is a topic I regularly discuss with students in the context of academic and reflective writing provision, and the Fellowship application reminded me how important it is to remain an active reflective practitioner and writer myself. Doing so keeps me connected to the challenges students face and reminds me of the empathy and curiosity at the heart of what we do.
A Collegial and Enriching Experience
Overall, the Fellowship application has been an enriching process that has strengthened my practice, connected me with peers, and provided an opportunity to celebrate the value of what we do as Learning Developers. If you’re considering applying for Fellowship, I’d wholeheartedly encourage it and would be more than happy to chat with anyone thinking about putting in an application!