Summary

Occupation:

The Academic Professional will have knowledge and understanding of:

• a range of teaching, assessment and feedback methods used in higher education to support learning and achievement
• how students learn and how to adapt delivery methods to support a range of students’ needs
• how research is conducted, within their own and related disciplines and in inter-disciplinary or trans-disciplinary contexts
• regulatory, administrative, financial, planning procedures, risk management, quality assurance and quality enhancement, and how they are related to their role in higher education
• technological processes associated with effectiveness in their role within the HE sector
• methods for evaluating the effectiveness of academic activities, such as teaching and the quality and impact of research
• how to engage with relevant professional bodies and other external organisations to support their work
• the principles of reflective practice and the methods for applying reflective practice to their own professional development
• innovative approaches to undertaking their work to create interest, understanding and enthusiasm among their students, funders or stakeholders

Core Skills

The Academic Professional will be able to:

• deliver higher education teaching of high quality through lectures, tutorials, practicals or seminars
• use varying teaching styles depending on the learning environment and students’ needs
• develop research questions and hypotheses prior to undertaking research in their subject discipline
• analyse, synthesise and use critical thinking in the conduct of research
• supervise and mentor students and peers to develop knowledge in their subject discipline
• implement approaches to academic practice that are informed by equality and diversity
• communicate orally and in writing and collaborate effectively, to manage people, processes or teams
• use digital technologies effectively to develop and disseminate knowledge and understanding of subject disciplines
• share ideas and evidence with students, peers, policy makers and private and public organisations through a variety of channels including publication and teaching
• collect evidence of the impact of their work, including through student surveys or citations
• manage their own continuing professional development (CPD) in subject disciplines and pedagogy, incorporating research, scholarship and professional practices
• manage their own time through preparation and prioritisation, time management, responsiveness to change, and achieving a work-life balance.

Core Values and Behaviours

Academic Professionals will be mindful of:

• ethical, sustainable and inclusive practices and equality of opportunity to a professional standard
• the need to continuously develop their knowledge and insight in relation to career management, responsiveness to opportunities, networking, reputation and esteem
• the need to commit to CPD in relation to relevant contemporary issues such as: student employability and graduate employment destinations, ethics and sustainability, academic integrity, legal compliance and intellectual property, respect and confidentiality, and health and safety
• the need to consider evidence-informed approaches and the outcomes from research, scholarship and CPD to inform their own professional practice
• the wider context (policy, economic, societal, technological, legal, cultural and environmental) in which higher education operates, recognising the implications for professional practice
• the need to seek opportunities to network, to practise public engagement and to communicate effectively
• the need to be enthusiastic, self-confident, and self-reflective to operate effectively in the role
• the requirement to persevere, have integrity, be prepared to take responsibility, to lead, mentor and supervise.

Option 1

Specialist role in Teaching – Knowledge

The Academic Professional in a specialist teaching role will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of:

• current subject and pedagogic research which support the development of advanced practice in the learning environment
• complex information management and advanced digital literacy
• the subject knowledge base and the methods for facilitating learning through engagement with it.
• the application of a wide range of technologies and digital skills in support of teaching and learning
• the methods required to develop curricula, monitor delivery and evaluate course, award and programme design

Specialist role in Teaching – Skills

The Academic Professional in a specialist teaching role will be able to:

• play a leading role in the development and deployment of innovative teaching and assessment techniques, to deliver HE teaching of high quality across a wide range of modules and to all levels
• develop innovative HE course materials, monitor delivery and evaluate course, award and programme design
• design a wide range of teaching environments to facilitate student learning and engagement
• integrate subject and pedagogic research into teaching and scholarly activity to enhance teaching and support changes of practice
• analyse and synthesise information and use critical thinking to share insight into their pedagogy and discipline area and improve engagement with excellence initiatives

Option 2

Specialist role in Research – Knowledge

The Academic Professional in a specialist research role will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of:

• current issues in the relevant disciplinary research literature
• research theories and the practical application of a full range of research methods
• relevant and up to date approaches to the management of research, including delivery to required timelines
• major funding streams and programmes in the relevant research field
• the application of a wide range of technologies and advanced digital skills in support of research investigation and dissemination

Specialist role in Research – Skills

The Academic Professional in a specialist research role will be able to:

• frame research questions and methodology in the context of competitive proposals for research funding
• undertake effective management of research projects and budgets, assess risks and apply for ethical approval where required
• produce intellectual insight and innovations in their own discipline to be shared with students, peers and wider stakeholders
• author or co-author publications and disseminate research through a wide range of media
• develop and sustain links with industry and other external organisations to grow collaborations and develop opportunities to access funding