Programme Evolution

A strength of the programme has been that it continues to inform, evolve and elevate. We have incorporated a robust system where we gain feedback from previous cohorts that supports us to recalibrate our processes to improve for future phases.

Some key developments include the following:

• TW1 - Radical Recruitment- no interviews, acceptance that all who apply from 4 communities are more than capable (Shades of Noir Graduates, GEMS, Tell Us About It Graduates and the BAME talent day participants

• TW2 - Prospectus - the development of a programme wide prospectus that contextualises the programme including challenges

• TW3 - Workshops & Independent Modules - a series of learning activities that scaffold the cohort throughout their studies and teaching

• TW4 - Fact Not Fiction - A specific two-day introduction to teaching that contextualises Art & Design HE, institutional culture and the beginnings of centring social justice pedagogy. This replaced the Teaching & Learning Exchange course ‘Thinking Teaching’.

• TW5 - Guaranteed Interviews - Introducing recruitment practices that allow for a guaranteed interview scheme for all who applied. This built of wider Shades of Noir work and practices in this area

• TW5 - Digital Delivery - An adaptation of teaching and learning for online environments as well as developing space for cohort members to learn and refresh their digital skills. This was informed by Shades of Noirs online consultancy provisions

• TW6 - MA Applicants - Introducing formalised Ten MA Spaces. Before Phase 6, the MA has been completed by a small percentage of our TW academics. In TW3 we had two TW graduates engage and complete the programme. This has been a success and a further two students were added from TW5. The statistical data has shown that this process has been useful and an autonomous way to give back to the existing community.