Centre for Higher Education PracticeResearch-Teaching Nexus

Vicky Davies

Theme Purpose

The proposed Research-Teaching Nexus (R-TN)and associated activities seeks to create two core strands: 1. Pedagogic Research/Scholarship of Teaching &

Learning (SoTL) capacity building

2. Research as inquiry: comprising Research-informed Teaching (R-IT) and Research-enhanced Learning (R-EL)

1. Pedagogic Research & SoTLA number of drivers which point to the need for increased engagement with pedagogic research and SoTL capacity: • NI HE Strategy (2012)• H E Academy• HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF)• QAA• Internal institutional strategies (Teaching & Learning Strategy,

Organisational Development Strategy, Research Strategy, Corporate Plan)• Professional Development Scheme/promotion agenda • Internal local strategies (Faculty and School Teaching and Learning

Strategies)

Levels of engagement & opportunitiesD

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Pedagogic Research & SoTL aims

• A scholarly reflective approach to practice (internally verified, contributes to personal theory, supports personal action)

• Scholarship (internally verified, contributes to local theory, supports local action, may be broadly disseminated)

• Research (externally verified, contributes to pedagogic theory, may not directly support action)

Healey & Jackson (2004)

2. Research as Inquiry (R-IT/R-EL)● Research-led: where students learn about research findings● Research-oriented: where students learn about research processes● Research-based: where students learn as researchers● Research-tutored: where students learn in small group discussions with a teacher about research findings.

Healey et al (2010)

Research as Inquiry (R-IT/R-EL) aims

• Re-evaluation of curriculum/ modules to focus on discipline-specific research content and research process opportunities (inquiry-based learning and teaching)

• Increased engagement with students to shape the design and delivery of the curriculum

Proposed activitiesPedagogic Research/SoTL• Updated baseline survey• Professional Development Scheme

(ePortfolio/ professional conversations)• Establishment of Ethics Filter

Committee for Pedagogic Research in HEP

• Teaching Community blog/ opportunities for dialogue

• Regular newsletters to showcase SoTL initiatives

• Updated website to include online publication of Ulster’s Journal

• Writing groups• Action research• Development of internal R-T booklet• Keep a watching brief on relevant

funding opportunities

R-IT/R-EL• Audit of courses/modules to

identify areas of effective inclusion of research in the curriculum

• Audit of courses/modules to identify where and how student research orientation is effectively carried out

• Audit of courses/modules to identify where students have opportunities to engage in the process of research in a scaffolded manner

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Theme organisational structure

• Professional Development Scheme• Professional Development Scheme