Building Learning Development for the future through partnership
Working closely with students is an integral part of the LD values, as set out by ALDinHE. Yet, to ensure that our work can have a wider impact on student learning, it is important to focus on collaboration with colleagues from across our institution. The keynote speech this year will be delivered by a panel of speakers who will present their experience of such partnership working: how they work with LD colleagues, where they see benefits and barriers and what impact this has on students’ learning. Our speakers come from different Scottish universities and bring a wide range of experience and perspectives. Following their short presentations, they will be happy to discuss questions about their work with Learning Developers from delegates.
Wendy Anderson
Wendy is a Professor of Linguistics, a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE and, since 2022, Assistant Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) at the University of Glasgow. She has worked in academia for about 20 years, in a number of roles, from Teaching Fellow, Research Assistant, Lecturer, and, from 2017-2022 as Dean of Learning & Teaching for the College of Arts & Humanities. As AVP, she is currently closely involved in the implementation of the University of Glasgow’s Learning and Teaching Strategy, in particular the Assessment and Feedback pillar.
She has worked alongside, and drawn on the support and expertise of, learning developers in all of these roles, for example through shared involvement in Learning & Teaching committees, in the process of course and programme approval, through mutual engagement in strategy workstreams, and in signposting her own students to Glasgow’s Student Learning Development (SLD) service and arranging for tailored sessions on study skills run by members of SLD for student cohorts.
Andrew Cowell
Andrew is a Senior Lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University with an academic and practical history in mechanical engineering design. He completed his PhD in 2015 and has been a lecturer since 2008. He lectures in mechanical engineering design, including design of renewable energy equipment, to undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students, and is the Programme Leader for the Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in Engineering (Design and Manufacture) in the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment (SCEBE).
Andrew works closely with the Learning Development Centre in SCEBE, particularly on the integration of academic writing skills into the programme, but also including study skills at induction events. Staff on the GA programme are keen that academic writing skills, and more recently writing skills for industrial settings, are embedded into modules on the programme. Andrew also designs work-based assessments for students undertaking his mechanical engineering design modules.
Catriona Wilson
Cat is the Director of The Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development at the University of St Andrews. She is a Fellow of CIPD and has a Masters in Organisational Psychology. Cat began her career in Ford Motor Company in Employee Relations and Training and Development roles. She now has over 20 years of experience in skills development in Higher Education and is passionate about improving the student experience. She recently led the introduction of the graduate attributes framework at the University of St Andrews and is a champion for developing a holistic approach to skills development which integrates academic and professional skills, enabling students to achieve their potential during their studies and beyond. She is currently co-authoring her first book, aimed at incoming students and titled University and You: Strengthening your skills and developing your potential. Cat has worked extensively with learning developers throughout her career, both in St Andrews and across the sector, and sees first-hand the impact they have on the staff and student experience.
Chee Wee Tan
Chee-Wee is Head of Paramedicine and Physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University. He has two decades of working experience within higher education and has developed an interest in the practice of compassion and self-compassion in education and higher education leadership. Chee-Wee works closely with staff at the Learning Development Centre to incorporate targeted learning skills within modules and programmes to facilitate student learning. He has also promoted and facilitated a more compassionate culture within staff and students to improve mental wellbeing. This approach is pertinent at this moment with the increase in health care students experiencing poor mental wellbeing.
Tracey Madden
Tracey is a Learning technology Advisor at the University of Edinburgh, and as well as facilitating learning design workshops, she provides support for those incorporating learning technology into their teaching through consultation and training, with a focus on pedagogy. With an interest in accessibility and inclusion within learning design, Tracey contributes to Edinburgh’s Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice on the topic of Universal Design, for which she also provides training and resources for all staff.
Before joining Edinburgh, Tracey held appointments in UK higher and further education, supporting curriculum design and staff development. As part of the UK Physical Sciences Centre, she worked on national projects in such areas as OERs (open educational resources) and e-portfolios. The majority of Tracey’s professional education experience has been in online education, and has included roles such as tutor, facilitator and instructional designer. She recently graduated with a Masters in Digital Education.
Tracey is a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE (SFHEA) and a Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT).
Elaine Blair
Elaine Blair is the Science Faculty Librarian at the University of Strathclyde and has thirty years experience in higher education in both library and IT roles. She is particularly interested in promoting library services and resources and in student learning. She works closely with colleagues in Learner Development Services on initiatives to support and enhance student learning, including the STEM Summer School and Dissertation Support sessions. Elaine has an MSc in Information and Library Studies is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Alex Cuthbert
Alex Cuthbert is a Learner Development Adviser at the University of Strathclyde and has worked in inclusive learning contexts since 1994, initially in school settings, before entering higher education in 2008 working with neurodivergent and disabled learners at the University of Glasgow. In 2012, He helped create of a study skills service at Strathclyde (now Learner Development Services); gaining CeLP accreditation in 2019, Alex sits on various working groups, communities of practice, and committees within ScotHELD, ALDinHE, and ICALLD.