The Academy’s work in Scotland – overview and highlights Alastair Robertson Senior Adviser, Scotland Presentation at “Academy Scotland: Enhancement and Engagement”, 24 May 2007

Topics to be covered General highlights Work at the national level Work with individual and groups of institutions Work with discipline communities and individual staff Feedback from this years’ HEI Liaison Scheme visits Strategic priorities for Questions and discussion

Developing a distinctive approach to the Academy’s work in Scotland –Policy divergence between Scotland and other parts of UK –UK-wide versus Scottish-specific balance –Central Academy and SCs- closer integration –Partnership working –July 2006 paper to Academy’s Board –“Academy Scotland” –New A5 leaflet

National level activities Policy developments including JQRG SHEEN PDP Enhancement Themes SHEEC Education for Sustainable Development

Work with institutions Scottish E-learning benchmarking group Learning and Teaching Strategies Support Group SHEER- Ed Dev and Subject Centres Individual institutional support e.g. Abertay (White Space), Stirling (Employability), Aberdeen (Assessment), Glasgow (PDP through CRA)… HEI Liaison Scheme Institutional surveys e.g. e-pdp/e-portfolios, PGRes, NSS

Work with discipline communities and individuals Various subject-focussed events e.g. Dundee/ADM, October Multidisciplinary events, networks e.g. IPE SIG Appointment of a number of Subject Centre Scottish Country Consultants/ Associates Development projects e.g. Engineering, Sustainable Development SHEER- Ed Dev

Institutional Liaison Visits 18 out of 21 HEIs visited to date, complete by end of May. Main points raised: –Subject Centre key contacts- id and role –New National Professional Recognition Scheme –Communication –Enhancement Theme-related support –Annual HEI-Academy engagement reports –Role of the main institutional contact….

The Academy in Scotland- 2007/08 Strategic Priorities Joining up at policy, institutional and individual levels. To deliver a coherent package of support to the Scottish sector and contribute to the development of the QEF. Practical “how to” support for individual and groups of institutions in areas identified by them in relation to L, T and A strategies and other aspects of the student learning experience. A greater focus on supporting the professional development of individual staff. Through the Subject Centres, accreditation activities and national recognition of individuals’ commitment to learning and teaching via an inclusive approach. Increasing work with students including collaborative activities with sparqs. Thematic priorities for curriculum design. Employability, PDP, the Research-Teaching nexus, assessment, e-learning, education for sustainable development and internationalisation.