Using Research-Teaching Linkages to Enhance Graduate Attributes George Gordon, Cherie Woolmer University of Strathclyde 5 March 2009

Session outline Summary of outcomes of Research-Teaching Linkages (RTL) enhancement theme Summary of outcomes of Research-Teaching Linkages (RTL) enhancement theme Introduce the Framing and Audit Tools to assist discussion Introduce the Framing and Audit Tools to assist discussion Developing a Graduate Attribute Framework-an illustration of institutional practice Developing a Graduate Attribute Framework-an illustration of institutional practice Applying the Tool in your own institutional context Applying the Tool in your own institutional context

Research-Teaching Linkages Enhancement Theme It concerned the progressive development of graduate attributes throughout the continuum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The project considered how best to support the achievement of such attributes through utilising research, creative, scholarly and performance work to inform the curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment activities, and the learning environment. It concerned the progressive development of graduate attributes throughout the continuum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The project considered how best to support the achievement of such attributes through utilising research, creative, scholarly and performance work to inform the curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment activities, and the learning environment.

Key Findings wide ranging good practice and evidence of research-teaching linkages were found, although systematic practice could be developed further wide ranging good practice and evidence of research-teaching linkages were found, although systematic practice could be developed further several HEIs were developing explicit statements of graduate attributes several HEIs were developing explicit statements of graduate attributes there was little evidence of student involvement in, or knowledge of, the process of linking research and teaching or, even more significantly, its purpose there was little evidence of student involvement in, or knowledge of, the process of linking research and teaching or, even more significantly, its purpose generally, there was less evidence of a structured approach to using research-teaching linkages to develop graduate attributes generally, there was less evidence of a structured approach to using research-teaching linkages to develop graduate attributes Note: much of the data collected focused on process measures, with some articulation of output measures (in terms of statements of graduate attributes). Very little focus on input measures.

Initiating discussions: The Framing Tool A series of questions used as a catalyst for institutional discussion A series of questions used as a catalyst for institutional discussion Can be used to explore issues at institutional, faculty/department and course level Can be used to explore issues at institutional, faculty/department and course level Illustrative examples of practice provided Illustrative examples of practice provided

Measuring Institutional Readiness: The Audit Tool Seven dimensions of audit 1. Procedural / Structural 2. Contractual / Reward Mechanisms 3. New Policies / Strategies 4. Engagement 5. Organisational direction 6. Graduate Attributes 7. Disciplinary cultures

Illustration of Institutional Practice Making the implicit explicit: the desire for a Framework Making the implicit explicit: the desire for a Framework Identifying synergies: the strategic context Identifying synergies: the strategic context The Framing and Audit Tool “in action”: identifying enabling structures, processes and people The Framing and Audit Tool “in action”: identifying enabling structures, processes and people The Student Lifecycle-thinking about input, process and output measures The Student Lifecycle-thinking about input, process and output measures Developing an engaging discourse and overcoming initiative fatigue: engaging the academic community Developing an engaging discourse and overcoming initiative fatigue: engaging the academic community

Strathclyde Graduate Attribute Framework The Strathclyde experience will enable our students to: Be enquiry-focused Be enquiry-focused Take an innovative approach to knowledge and understanding Take an innovative approach to knowledge and understanding Be confident and self aware Be confident and self aware Be a collaborative as well as independent learner Be a collaborative as well as independent learner Be international in outlook Be international in outlook Operate with personal and professional integrity Operate with personal and professional integrity

Acknowledging the tensions Framework should enable students to “situate” their development rather than regulate it. Framework should enable students to “situate” their development rather than regulate it. Need to facilitate programme level discussions in modularised degrees Need to facilitate programme level discussions in modularised degrees Encouraging students to be active agents in the process Encouraging students to be active agents in the process What do you evidence and who measures success? What do you evidence and who measures success?

Workshop discussion Choose a level within your university i.e. Institutional, Departmental or Programme level Choose a level within your university i.e. Institutional, Departmental or Programme level Work through the questions highlighted in the Framing and Audit Tool Work through the questions highlighted in the Framing and Audit Tool Discuss in Groups: Discuss in Groups: –Are the Tools useful? If not, why not? What would be more useful? –Would you adapt it?

Looking Forward- Graduates for the 21 st Century at Strathclyde Institutional Working Group established Institutional Working Group established Developing a conceptual model of enhancement which uses Graduate Attribute Framework to orientate discussion Developing a conceptual model of enhancement which uses Graduate Attribute Framework to orientate discussion Framing Tool and Audit Tool will probably be adapted and used in process. Framing Tool and Audit Tool will probably be adapted and used in process.