QAA Membership Podcast

Chaired by our regular host Dr Kerr Castle, QAA's latest podcast explores the effective evaluation of higher education practices and initiatives, and how to make approaches to evaluation meaningful and manageable. Kerr's guests this month are Liz Austen, Professor of Higher Education Evaluation at Sheffield Hallam University, and Stella Jones-Devitt, Professor of Critical Pedagogy at Staffordshire University. Between 7 November and 12 December, the Quality Assurance Agency will run a tr...

In QAA's latest podcast, our regular host Dr Kerr Castle chairs an expert panel for a lively discussion reflecting on what we've learnt from TEF 2023. Kerr is joined by Professor Claire Pike (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education Enhancement at Anglia Ruskin University), Roscoe Hastings (Director of Teaching Enhancement and Excellence at the University of Exeter), and our very own Helena Vine, the Lead Policy Officer for England here at QAA.During the conversation, they chat about what we've...

This latest QAA podcast marks the publication of the new edition of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education.Our guests are Dr Helen Driscoll, interim PVC for learning & Teaching at the University of Sunderland, Swansea University's Dr Kate Chapman, co-organiser of the QAA Programme Leaders Network, Rachel Sutton, Associate Director of Quality at the University of London, Charlotte Baker, president of Winchester SU, and Ruth Burchell, Quality Enhancement & Standards Specialist at QAA....

In this episode, our regular host Dr Kerr Castle introduces a discussion of awarding gaps and what we can do to close them. Kerr is joined by Kevin Brazant, Progression & Attainment Project Manager at the University of the Arts London, Dr Sally Andrews, Pedagogic Projects Development Manager at Staffordshire University, Professor Nicky King, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter, and Professor Gabriella Cagliesi from the University of Sussex.Through the course of the c...

In this episode, Dr Kerr Castle introduces a discussion of how the core concepts of competence-based education compare with those of more traditional educational models and how the purposes of assessment might be reimagined through competence-based education. He is joined by Mike Ewen, the Head of the Teaching Academy at the University of Hull, along with Dr Dom Henri, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, and Dr Andrew Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Education, both also at Hull. They are members of a...

In this latest episode we explore ways to enhance the impact of projects carried out by work-based learners – and specifically some of the challenges which part-time students face in combining their academic learning with creating impact from that learning outside of the classroom. During the episode, our contributors introduce a new toolkit designed to equip educators with the knowledge and the confidence needed to embed impact in their curricula, developed through a QAA-funded Collabo...

Our latest podcast explores the challenges we face in embedding employability in our curricula, and the kinds of strategies and support that can benefit both educators and their students. To address these issues, we take a look at a new toolkit focusing on pedagogy, assessment and curriculum content, designed to help students gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to transition into their lives and careers after HE.That toolkit was developed through a QAA-funded Collaborativ...

In this latest episode, teaching staff and students from Loughborough University and Birmingham City University (BCU) come together to discuss the opportunities for enhancing the student learning experiences offered by a new collaborative observation project they’ve been engaged in. The podcast is chaired by QAA's Dr Kerr Castle, who observes that this Collaborative Enhancement Project has been grounded in a sense of humanity and practicality which seems especially appealing in the curr...

In this latest episode of the QAA Membership Podcast, Dr Kerr Castle (Quality Enhancement and Standards Specialist) explores multimodality in higher education with the team behind the QAA-funded Collaborative Enhancement Project, Harnessing Multimodality in Higher Education.The episode features Professor Sam Elkington (Professor of Learning and Teaching at Teesside University); Professor Andrew Middleton (Professor of Active Learning and Deputy Head of Anglia Learning & Teaching at Anglia...

In this instalment, Dr Kerr Castle (Quality Enhancement & Standards Specialist, QAA) sits down with Liss Chard-Hall (Specialist Study Skills Tutor) and Dr Graeme Pedlingham (Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor – Student Experience, University of Sussex) to chat about neuro-inclusivity. Specifically, they chat about what the hidden curriculum can look like for neurotypical and neurodivergent students, the kinds of support available to neurodivergent students currently, and how artificial intel...

In this latest podcast episode, QAA’s Dr Kerr Castle talks with Dr Kate Cuthbert and Sue Lee, who both work in Staffordshire University’s Staffordshire Centre of Learning and Pedagogic Practice. Together they explore what phenomenon-based learning is and how you could use it in partnership with your students to make a lasting impact.

In this episode, Dr Kerr Castle (Quality Enhancement and Standards Specialist at QAA) sits down with Dr George Hulene, Associate Dean of Faculty of Business and Law at Coventry University; Professor Eleanor Davies, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning at Huddersfield Business School; and Dr Peter Wolstencroft, Liverpool John Moores University. The discussion focuses on the outcomes of a QAA-funded Collaborative Enhancement Project led by Coventry University that explored how patterns of st...

In this latest instalment, Dr Kerr Castle (Quality Enhancement and Standards Specialist at QAA) sits down with Sean Cullen, lecturer at Brunel University and Student Voice Commissioner for the Disabled Students Commission (DSC), to talk about the experience of disabled students. Through the course of the episode, Sean shares his own insights and experiences as a disabled student in higher education, while also discussing how providers might enhance their communication with disabled stude...

In this latest episode, Dr Kerr Castle (Quality Enhancement and Standards Specialist with QAA) sits down with Dr John Lean and Dr Catherine Elkin from Manchester Metropolitan University to discuss adventure and exploration in playful co-curricular learning. The podcast focusses on how metaphors and design principles borrowed from open world video games are supporting students to forge their own pathways in Manchester Metropolitan University’s award winning programme, Rise. An inter...

In this episode, Dr Kerr Castle (QAA’s Quality Enhancement & Standards Specialist) sits down with Dr Non Vaughan Williams and Emily Way from Swansea University, as well as Rachel Evans, to discuss the value of the higher education sector engaging with industry. The podcast takes a particular focus on the positive impact that industry panels are having for students at the School of Culture and Communications at Swansea University. Issues explored include the importance of having...

In this month’s instalment, Dr Kerr Castle (QAA’s Quality Enhancement & Standards Specialist) chats with Mercy Mwansa (University of Leeds) and Rachel Van Krimpen (University of Nottingham) about different barriers to success for postgraduate researchers. The discussion covers issues including mental health and wellbeing, imposter syndrome, the influence of research culture and perceptions of identity. During the episode, the guests discuss the work of their QAA Collaborative En...

In this episode, Amrita Narang (Quality Enhancement & Standards Specialist) chats with Dr Paul Campbell (University of Leicester), Bethany Sumner (University of Wolverhampton) and Dr Gary Hazeldine (Birmingham City University) about improving the experience of undergraduate students from different ethnic backgrounds and their award outcomes in assessment.During the episode, the guests discuss the work of their QAA Collaborative Enhancement Project ‘Broadening understanding in differing ou...

In this episode, Si Bullock (Quality & Standards Specialist) sits down with Professor Michael Draper from Swansea University to discuss academic integrity. The pair consider contract cheating, student attitudes to misconduct and relevant regulatory frameworks and legislation that underpin how the sector maintains standards. As part of our work in this area, QAA has developed an Academic Integrity Charter alongside the Academic Integrity Advisory Group which sets a baseline level...

In this episode, we talk about unpacking the ‘unspoken rules’ or ‘hidden curriculum’ in Higher Education with Pam Birtill and Richard Harris from University of Leeds.Along with their colleague Madeleine Pownall, Pam and Richard were first commissioned by QAA Membership to produce the Student Guide to the Hidden Curriculum – a practical, student facing resource explaining terminology that is a common feature of Higher Education across the sector.The Student Guide has been incredibly well recei...

In this podcast, we talk to Ian Pepper - Curriculum Qualifications and Apprenticeship Senior Adviser and Head of Centre at Harperley Hall, College of Policing - about the new Subject Benchmark Statement for Policing. Subject Benchmark Statements describe the nature of study and the academic standards expected of graduates in specific subject areas; they show what graduates might reasonably be expected to know, do and understand at the end of their studies.Ian, who was part of the advisor...

In this podcast, we explore the institutional context for pass/fail assessment in undergraduate and postgraduate courses with colleagues from Leeds Arts University, and ways in which the experience of pass/fail assessment can support authentic learning. We hear from students about the role of tutor and peer feedback, and finally, consider its impact on skills development for future employability.Our guest speakers are:- Peter Hughes (Academic developmental manager) - Laura da Costa (Acce...

In this episode, we discuss enterprise, entrepreneurship and student ambition with Rob Ingram from Falmouth University and Ruth Donnelly from University of Edinburgh.Considering how enterprise and entrepreneurship are approached at each institution, Rob and Ruth reflect on student identity and what students want, before discussing ways to nurture and support student ambition.In the second part of the podcast, we focus on two great examples of experiential learning, as Ruth introduces the work...

In this episode, we consider the student experience of enterprise and embedded employability in higher education with Helen Hughes from University of Leeds, Edward Pollock from Robert Gordon University, and Iwan Williams from University of Liverpool.We start by discussing the student experience of enterprise and entrepreneurship education in teaching and learning, and how to embed employability and enterprise education principles in the curriculum.Then we take a look at supporting entrepreneu...

In this two-part podcast, we talk about the QAA Collaborative Enhancement Project 'Making the language of assessment inclusive'. The project is led by the University of West of the England, in partnership with University of Brighton, University of Greenwich, and University of Hertfordshire. In this second podcast, we speak to staff and students to cover key aspects pertaining to:1. Student as partners approach - student views 2. Cross institutional partnership - opportunities and ch...

In this two-part podcast, we talk about the QAA Collaborative Enhancement Project 'Making the language of assessment inclusive'. The project is led by the University of West of the England, in partnership with University of Brighton, University of Greenwich, and University of Hertfordshire. In this first podcast, we speak to staff and students to cover key aspects pertaining to:1. Drivers for the project 2. The mystery behind mysterious quotients 3. Challenges within assessment...

In this episode, we discuss student transitions into college-based higher education, with Leon Annett from Cardiff & Vale College and Jane Nickisson from Salford City College. The podcast is divided into three chapters, exploring: 1. The identity of College HE and its learners2. Promoting transitions from FE to HE3. Amplifying the voice of College HE.If you would like to learn more about our work around supporting successful student transitions, visit https://www.qaa.ac.uk//en/m...