Critical Friends: a valuable role in educational innovation? Peter Hartley. Peter Chatterton. Peter Bullen.

What is the role of the Critical Friend?

How the Critical Friend role has developed eLIDA CAMEL project. Higher Education Academy (HEA) Pathfinder. JISC Users and Innovation programme. Critical Friends Network (following first draft of Guide). HEA Change Academy and Enhancement programmes. JISC Transforming Curriculum Delivery through Technology and Institutional Approaches to Curriculum Design programmes. Revised Guide... Critical Friends used with or without CAMEL approaches.

Why use a Critical Friend instead of other approaches? Critical friends balance an informal approach with a critical eye. Critical friends are used in a range of contexts. Critical friends have a distinct role. The project team and critical friend share a common goal to make the project succeed. Critical friends can sit alongside other support methods.

Key contributions from the Critical Friend Provide an effective balance between informal supportive friendship and critical analysis. Ask ‘why’ things are being done in a particular way - seeking to gain a sense of the context within which each project works and challenge assumptions. Thinking creatively and encouraging others to do so. Facilitate friendly, honest and critical analysis, shared professional reflections and horizon scanning amongst the project team. Use their skills to ask ‘naive’ questions which promote reflection and self-evaluation, especially at Steering/Project Management Groups. Provide advice and both ‘political’ & practical suggestions and leverage.

Critical Friends: An Effective Practice Guide Developed as an output from JISC/Higher Education Academy innovation/change programmes. Available as a Wiki: Feedback and discussion at:

The Guide Framework Background and ContextBackground and Context: How the Critical Friend role has developed. How the Critical Friend role has developed Why use a Critical Friend. Why use a Critical Friend Use of Critical Friends in different contexts. Use of Critical Friends in different contexts Sourcing and funding Critical Friends. Sourcing and funding Critical Friends Understanding the role of the Critical FriendUnderstanding the role of the Critical Friend: The relationship with sponsors. The relationship with sponsors The relationship with CAMEL cohorts. The relationship with CAMEL cohorts Key skills, experience and attributes. Key skills, experience and attributes Benefits of the Critical Friend role. Benefits of the Critical Friend role Guidelines for Critical FriendsGuidelines for Critical Friends: Working with individual projects. and parent institutions. Working with individual projects. and parent institutions Dealing with specific project issues. Dealing with specific project issues Working with CAMEL cohorts. Working with CAMEL cohorts Working with sponsors. Working with sponsors Working with other Critical Friends. Working with other Critical Friends Guidelines for StakeholdersGuidelines for Stakeholders: Specific guidelines for project teams. Specific guidelines for project teams Specific guidelines for sponsors. Specific guidelines for sponsors

Further info Feedback and discussion at: