Higher Education Academy
Encyclopedia
The Higher Education Academy is an independent organisation in the United Kingdom
that supports higher education
institutions with strategies for the development of research and evaluation to improve the learning experience for students.
(ILTHE), the Learning and Teaching Support Network
(LTSN), and the TQEF National Co-ordination Team (NCT).
— providing national leadership in developing and disseminating evidence-informed practice about enhancing the student learning experience;
— operating as an independent broker, enabling expertise to be shared across institutions and subject areas;
— working at multiple levels, with individual academics, subject communities, departments, faculties and institutions;
— working across all parts of the UK, recognising the distinctive policy contexts and priorities of the devolved administrations but also providing opportunities to share expertise among them.
The Academy is an independent organisation funded by grants from the four UK higher education funding bodies, subscriptions from higher education institutions, and grant and contract income for specific initiatives.
awards. Subject specific learning and teaching issues are supported by 24 discipline-based Subject Centres that are based in higher education institutions throughout the UK. 2010 will mark ten years of success for the Subject Centre network.
.
(ILTHE) into the HEA, the concept of professionalism for teachers in higher education within a professional membership body was lost. Unlike schools and further education, where standards and regulatory frameworks have been introduced, the higher education system defends the autonomy of lecturers and resists any notion of any form of qualified teacher status for the sector. This goes very much against the principles of the Dearing Report
which led to the establishment of the ILTHE. In 2011 Professor Craig Mahoneyn the Chief Executive of the HEA, attempted to reignite the debate on standards and qualifications with a landmark article published in the Times Higher Education supplement. Mahoneyn wrote:
“Those I have met who are qualified to teach in higher education have almost always been better teachers. But because I say so is not good enough. We must procure the empirical evidence from controlled studies, demonstrating to politicians, vice-chancellors, academics, students, parents and the general public that to be qualified is to be expected, to continually update is a given, and that providing students with outstanding teachers benefits everyone.”
) in Heslington
, east of York, in the northern corner of the University of York's sprawling campus.
, HEFCW and DELNI
), subscriptions from higher education institutions, and grant/contract income for organised initiatives. It is owned by the representative bodies of the higher education sector - Universities UK
and GuildHE
(formerly known as the Standing Conference of Principals).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that supports higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
institutions with strategies for the development of research and evaluation to improve the learning experience for students.
History
It was founded in May 2004, from a merger of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher EducationInstitute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
The Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education was a British organisation aiming to enhance the status of teaching in higher education; maintain and improve the quality of learning and teaching in higher education; and set standards of good professional practice...
(ILTHE), the Learning and Teaching Support Network
Learning and Teaching Support Network
The Learning and Teaching Support Network was an initiative of the United Kingdom higher education bodies to promote high quality learning and teaching in all subject disciplines in higher education...
(LTSN), and the TQEF National Co-ordination Team (NCT).
Function
It is there to facilitate the sharing of expertise amongst UK universities, arranged in groups (subject centres) of closely related academic subjects. It mediates between different universities to keep the academic departments that work in the same field 'rowing in the same direction'. An analogy could be that of a conductor in an orchestra and the subject areas would be represented by the different orchestral instruments. It supports the sector in providing the best possible learning experience for all students. It does this by:— providing national leadership in developing and disseminating evidence-informed practice about enhancing the student learning experience;
— operating as an independent broker, enabling expertise to be shared across institutions and subject areas;
— working at multiple levels, with individual academics, subject communities, departments, faculties and institutions;
— working across all parts of the UK, recognising the distinctive policy contexts and priorities of the devolved administrations but also providing opportunities to share expertise among them.
The Academy is an independent organisation funded by grants from the four UK higher education funding bodies, subscriptions from higher education institutions, and grant and contract income for specific initiatives.
Awards
The Higher Education Academy administers the UK's annual National Teaching FellowshipNational Teaching Fellowship
The Higher Education Academy's National Teaching Fellowship scheme recognises and rewards individual excellence in teaching in higher education in England and Northern Ireland. Fifty awards are made annually. The scheme began in 2000, with total funding per year of £2.5 million.-External links:***...
awards. Subject specific learning and teaching issues are supported by 24 discipline-based Subject Centres that are based in higher education institutions throughout the UK. 2010 will mark ten years of success for the Subject Centre network.
Professional recognition
The Higher Education Academy runs a Professional Recognition scheme whereby Academics can become an Associate, Fellow or Senior Fellow of the Academy. The aim of this is to offer public recognition of the expertise and commitment of those so recognised to the student learning experience. The basis for the award of these is an assessment against The UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher educationThe UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education
The UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education are a set of professional standards for the UK higher education sector which emerged for the White Paper The Future of Higher Education...
.
Teaching Qualifications and Teacher Professionalism
With the incorporation of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher EducationInstitute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
The Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education was a British organisation aiming to enhance the status of teaching in higher education; maintain and improve the quality of learning and teaching in higher education; and set standards of good professional practice...
(ILTHE) into the HEA, the concept of professionalism for teachers in higher education within a professional membership body was lost. Unlike schools and further education, where standards and regulatory frameworks have been introduced, the higher education system defends the autonomy of lecturers and resists any notion of any form of qualified teacher status for the sector. This goes very much against the principles of the Dearing Report
Dearing Report
The Dearing Report, formally known as the reports of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education is a series of major reports into the future of Higher Education in the United Kingdom, published in 1997. The report was commissioned by the UK government and was the largest review of...
which led to the establishment of the ILTHE. In 2011 Professor Craig Mahoneyn the Chief Executive of the HEA, attempted to reignite the debate on standards and qualifications with a landmark article published in the Times Higher Education supplement. Mahoneyn wrote:
“Those I have met who are qualified to teach in higher education have almost always been better teachers. But because I say so is not good enough. We must procure the empirical evidence from controlled studies, demonstrating to politicians, vice-chancellors, academics, students, parents and the general public that to be qualified is to be expected, to continually update is a given, and that providing students with outstanding teachers benefits everyone.”
Structure
It is situated on York Science Park, via Windmill Lane just off Hull Road (A1079A1079 road
The A1079 is a major road in northern England. It links the cities of York and Kingston upon Hull, both in Yorkshire.-Route:The road begins in central York, heading east initially as Lawrence Street and then Hull Road. After it meets the A64 at a grade separated roundabout and gains primary status...
) in Heslington
Heslington
Heslington is a suburban village and civil parish within the City of York, in North Yorkshire, England, south-east of the centre of York. Prior to 1974, it was a village in the Derwent Rural District, which was part of the East Riding of Yorkshire...
, east of York, in the northern corner of the University of York's sprawling campus.
Funding
The Higher Education Academy is funded by grants from four higher education funding bodies in the UK (HEFCE, SFCScottish Funding Council
The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, more commonly known as the Scottish Funding Council , is the body in Scotland that distributes funding from the Scottish Government to the country's colleges and universities...
, HEFCW and DELNI
Department for Employment and Learning
The Department for Employment and Learning , formerly the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment , is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive...
), subscriptions from higher education institutions, and grant/contract income for organised initiatives. It is owned by the representative bodies of the higher education sector - Universities UK
Universities UK
Universities UK began life as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century when there were informal meetings involving Vice-Chancellors of a number of universities and Principals of university colleges...
and GuildHE
GuildHE
GuildHE, formerly the Standing Conference of Principals , is a British membership organisation representing the heads of higher education institutions - from some of the most recently designated universities and university colleges, specialist colleges and other bodies providing higher education...
(formerly known as the Standing Conference of Principals).
Governance
The Academy is governed by a Board whose members are drawn mainly from institutional leaders and senior academics. There is also an advisory Council made up of Subject Centre representatives and Registered Practitioners. Day to day management of the Academy is undertaken by the Senior Executive Group (SEG).Board of Directors
As of January 2011- Chair: Prof Sir Robert Burgess - V-C of University of LeicesterUniversity of LeicesterThe University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
- Anthony Carey of Mazars LLP (external appointment)
- Prof Anthony Chapman - V-C of University of Wales Institute, CardiffUniversity of Wales Institute, CardiffCardiff Metropolitan University is a university situated in Cardiff. It operates from three campuses: Llandaff on Western Avenue, Cyncoed, and Howard Gardens in the City Centre. The university serves over 12,000 students...
- Mr Geoffrey Donnelly (external appointment)
- Prof Janice Kay - University of ExeterUniversity of ExeterThe University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
- Aaron PorterAaron PorterAaron Ross Porter is the former President of the National Union of Students in the United Kingdom; he was elected with a 65% majority and took office in June 2010 for one year.-Background and positions held :...
- President of the NUS - Mr Rama Thirunamachandran - Deputy V-C of Keele UniversityKeele UniversityKeele University is a campus university near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1949 as an experimental college dedicated to a broad curriculum and interdisciplinary study, Keele is most notable for pioneering the dual honours degree in Britain...
- Prof Dianne WillcocksDianne WillcocksDianne Marie Willcocks CBE was the Vice-Chancellor of York St John University until retirement in April 2010 and is a former Deputy Principal of Sheffield Hallam University....
- retired V-C of York St John UniversityYork St John UniversityYork St John University York St John University York St John University (formerly known variously as York St John University College (2004), York St John College (2001), Ripon and York St John: a College of the University of Leeds (c. 1996), University College of Ripon and York St John...
Subject Centres
These subject centres are based around the UK at relevant university faculties.- Art, Design, Media Subject Centre (ADM-HEA UK)
- Centre for BioscienceCentre for BioscienceThe Centre for Bioscience is one of 24 subject centres within the Higher Education Academy. The Centre supports teaching in UK higher education to improve student learning across the biosciences....
- Built Environment (CEBE)
- Business, Management, Accountancy and FinanceBusiness, Management, Accountancy and FinanceThe Subject Centre for Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance is one of 24 Subject Centres funded within the Higher Education Academy to promote high quality learning and teaching in UK Higher Education by providing subject-based support for sharing innovations and good practices...
(BMAF) - Economics NetworkEconomics NetworkThe Economics Network is one of the subject networks established by the Higher Education Academy. It aims to improve learning and teaching in economics in the UK's higher education...
- Education (ESCalate)
- Engineering Subject CentreEngineering Subject CentreThe Engineering Subject Centre is one of 24 subject centres within the Higher Education Academy. The Academy encourages, supports and enables teaching excellence in the United Kingdom higher education community...
- English Subject CentreEnglish Subject CentreThe English Subject Centre supported the teaching and learning of English literature, the English language and Creative Writing across UK Higher Education. The team of 8 full and part-time staff helped its members to share ideas and engage in good practice through events, networks and publications...
- Subject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental SciencesSubject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental SciencesThe Subject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences is one of 24 subject centres within the Higher Education Academy of the United Kingdom. The aim of the GEES Subject Centre is to support and enhance learning and teaching in the Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences...
- HEALTH Network Group
- Health Sciences and Practice Subject CentreHealth Sciences and Practice Subject CentreThe Subject Centre for Health Sciences and Practice is one of 24 Subject Centres funded within the Higher Education Academy to promote high quality learning and teaching in UK Higher Education by providing subject-based support for sharing innovations and good practices. It is hosted by King's...
- History, Classics and Archaeology Subject CentreHistory, Classics and Archaeology Subject CentreThe Subject Centre for History, Classics and Archaeology is one of 24 Subject Centres funded within the Higher Education Academy to promote high quality learning and teaching in UK Higher Education by providing subject-based support for sharing innovations and good practices. It is hosted by the...
- Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism NetworkHospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism NetworkThe Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Network is one of 24 Subject Centres funded within the Higher Education Academy to promote high quality learning and teaching in UK Higher Education by providing subject-based support for sharing innovations and good practices...
(HLST) - Information and Computer Sciences
- Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
- UK Centre for Legal EducationUK Centre for Legal EducationThe UK Centre for Legal Education is an organisation in the United Kingdom which aims to promote the development of learning and teaching in legal education in both academic and vocational settings. It was established in 1996 as the National Centre for Legal Education as a project funded through...
- UK Centre for Materials EducationUK Centre for Materials EducationThe UK Centre for Materials Education is one of 24 subject centres within the Higher Education Academy . It supports teaching and learning in Materials Science and related disciplines. The Centre was established in 2000 as part of the Learning and Teaching Support Network , later subsumed within...
(UKCME) - Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine (MEDEV)
- Subject Centre for Dance, Drama and MusicSubject Centre for Dance, Drama and MusicThe Subject Centre for Dance, Drama and Music of the Higher Education Academy of the United Kingdom was established in 2000 to support and enhance learning and teaching in performing arts higher education across the UK. It is based at Lancaster University. The director is Professor Gerry...
(PALATINE) - Maths, Stats & OR NetworkMaths, Stats & OR NetworkThe Maths, Stats & OR Network of the Higher Education Academy of the United Kingdom is a subject-specific support network for enhancing the student learning experience in Mathematics, Statistics and Operations Research....
- Philosophical and Religious Studies
- Physical Sciences CentrePhysical Sciences CentreThe Physical Sciences Centre is one of 24 subject centres within the Higher Education Academy of the United Kingdom. It provides discipline based support for learning and teaching in UK higher education in chemistry, physics, astronomy and forensic science....
- Psychology Network
- Subject Network for Sociology, Anthropology, PoliticsSubject Network for Sociology, Anthropology, PoliticsThe Subject Network for Sociology, Anthropology, Politics of the Higher Education Academy of the United Kingdom was established in 2000 to support and enhance learning and teaching in performing arts higher education across the UK. It is based at the University of Birmingham. The director is...
(C-SAP) - Social Policy and Social Work (SWAP)