D3 - Senior Fellow

The UKPSF describes individuals working at Descriptor 3 as those who can demonstrate a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning. Individuals should provide evidence of a sustained record of effectiveness in relation to teaching and learning, incorporating for example, the organisation, leadership and/or management of specific aspects of teaching and learning provisions. Such individuals are likely to lead or be members of established academic teams.

Applicants claiming attainment of Descriptor 3 will normally have a considerable level of expertise, developed over time, in supporting high quality student learning in all Dimensions of the Framework. They will have gained relevant experience through the use of a range of approaches including, mentoring, coordinating, supervising and managing individuals and groups. Individuals will evidence the depth and sophistication of their understanding and demonstrate a sustained and successful engagement with the UKPSF, indicating specifically how such knowledge, understanding and expertise is used in their approach to teaching, mentoring and their leadership roles.

The Senior Fellowship Pathway is for experienced staff who are responsible for leading, managing or organising programmes, subjects or disciplinary areas. This also includes experienced subject mentors who support new teaching staff and staff with institutional teaching or learning support roles.

Applicants should have between 3- to 5 years’ experience of working at this level.

Typical Profile of a Fellow (D3):

• Experienced staff able to demonstrate impact and influence through, for example, responsibility for leading, managing or organising programmes, subjects and/or disciplinary areas

• Experienced subject mentors and staff who support those new to teaching

• Experienced staff with departmental learning and teaching responsibilities

Senior Fellows need to demonstrate engagement with all five Areas of Activity and a commitment to each element of the Professional Values and Core Knowledge. Senior Fellows are asked to submit a 3,000 word reflective account of their professional practice, highlighting the primary influences on their own development and the progressive attainment of their professional capabilities.

Senior Fellows must also provide two reflective accounts of 1,500 words each, which serve to illustrate: a significant impact upon the co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/or mentoring of others in relation to L&T; sustained effectiveness in relation to teaching and learning in line with the criteria for Senior Fellowship; and an integrated and reflective approach to academic practice that incorporates research, scholarship and/or professional practice.

A defining characteristic of Senior Fellowship is influence and impact you have had on the teaching and learning practices of your peers (Descriptor 3:VII). It is important that you address all the Dimensions of the UKPSF, but the evidence you provide will be distinctly different to that provided by Fellowship applicants at Descriptor 2. Senior Fellowship is about having impact and influence on learning and teaching beyond the level of the student. You need to demonstrate that you are influencing the student learning experience by influencing the learning and teaching practices of colleagues; in this context, your ‘learners’ may be colleagues rather than just students.