National Teaching Fellowship Scheme

Author: Amy Craig, Academic Development Administrator, Centre for Collaborative Learning, University of Central Lancashire

As an Academic have you ever finished a session and thought “that went really well” or “the students loved the new software that I used for that task”. Wouldn’t it be nice to get some recognition for being a great Educator and stretching yourself to learn new technologies, being innovative within your session?

Wait no longer! – you should apply for a National Teaching Fellowship with AdvanceHE!!

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) recognises, rewards and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession”

AdvanceHE

What is NTFS?

UCLan agrees that Outstanding Individuals should be acknowledged for going above and beyond for students and their learning experience. For the past five years I have been involved in the process of selecting the Institutional NTF nominees on behalf of UCLan. This has given me a great insight into some of the amazing lecturers that we have across the University, and the innovative techniques that they use to make their programmes the best they can be.

Within the Centre for Collaborative Learning we are promoting the National Award to UCLan staff for the 2022 intake of the scheme. We would like any Individual who feels that they have made a positive impact within their course/school or service to send in a draft claim outlining their work against the relevant criterion.

The internal deadline for this is Friday 14th January 2022 at 4pm. We will then have an internal panel that will meet to discuss the claims and decide upon the three that they want to take forward on behalf of the Institution. Each of the applicants will then be given a mentor to support you to polish your submission ready for the final deadline.

AdvanceHE close their portal for submissions at noon on the 9th March 2022.

Not from UCLan? – Why don’t you ask your institution if they are a member of AdvanceHE, and if they are taking nominations for NTF??

Why apply?

NTF winners are celebrated at an Awards Evening along with members from their Institution. This gives the winner the immediate opportunity to network and open potential lines of collaboration for the future.

We are lucky to have several NTF Winners at UCLan from across the years, one of which is our very own Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students & Teaching) – Andrew Ireland. These individuals work hard to support the internal scheme and often supporting new applicants by mentoring and offering their knowledge and experience.

In short – there is no downside to putting yourself forward for the internal scheme – so Why Wait??

UCLan staff click here for more information.

“Being awarded a National Teaching Fellowship is something I will always be proud of and gives me the confidence to try new things and share ideas. I used the award to set up a Live Literature Room, a performance space for literature and creative writing students to use, with a stage, lighting, mic and storytelling chair. We hold regular events for students and staff, like open mics, staff-student research seminars and events on mental health. I can see it has an impact on the students who organise and attend the events and helps create a community at a time when we are all busy and over-stretched.” 

Helen Day – Senior Lecturer in Childrens’ Literature – NTF Winner 2013
School of Humanities, Languages and Global Studies  

“The award recognised my approaches to combining research and teaching and helped me to believe I was doing something right – always reassuring! This gave me the confidence to continue working on new research projects with students and community groups together. Being an NTF also means that you become part of a community of like-minded people, who are really inspiring, thoughtful and supportive.”

Candice Satchwell – Professor of Literacies & Education – NTF Winner 2016
School of Humanities, Languages and Global

“It is such a privilege to receive this award recognising my desire to transform midwifery education, through dynamic, student-centred approaches, to improve outcomes for all women and babies.”

Anna Coonan-Byrom – Senior Lecturer – NTF Winner 2019
School of Community Health & Midwifery

Link to Anna’s AdvanceHE blog post: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/Transforming-midwifery-education-through-a-sense-of-coherence