Experienced staff who teach and support learning and are interested in gaining HEA Fellowship can now access a new set of diagnostic tools via the Bath Scheme's revised Moodle course.
The tools are designed to help them find out if they are ready to make an application and, if so, decide which category of Fellowship best matches their experience. Once they have completed the series of diagnostic questions, they can find out more information about Fellowship by reading a number of pen portraits and FAQs. Staff are then invited to contact their Bath Scheme Champion to have a chat about whether Fellowship is the best route to take and given advice on how to get started. Bath Scheme Champions are academic staff who work closely with the Bath Scheme's Director Rachael Carkett to support the application process from within their own department, area or school.
The Bath Scheme is accredited against the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) with the Higher Education Academy, part of Advance HE. There are three categories of Fellowship in the Bath Scheme: Associate Fellow (AF), Fellow (F) and Senior Fellow (SF). The benefits of applying for Fellowship range from gaining formal recognition for teaching and supporting learning, to aligning with the criteria for promotion and engaging in professional development. Achieving Fellowship (i.e. any one of the three categories) also provides evidence that teaching and learning practice is benchmarked to the relevant Descriptors of the UKPSF. As of last month there are over 106,000 Fellows across the world.
Bath Scheme events
Those who are eligible to enrol (do check on Moodle as probationary staff are very likely to be required to complete the Bath Course and gain Fellowship via that route as part of the contractual agreement with the University) can access a range of resources, including a series of Bath Scheme events organised by the Centre for Learning & Teaching. These include regular Introductory Writing Days, which are held in non-teaching periods throughout the year, and regular Shut Up and Write Wednesdays.
Writing Days offer a brief overview of what is needed to get started and are dedicated to supporting the development of examples that can be used in Fellowship applications. Experienced advisors and assessors from across the University will be on hand to help applicants develop their thoughts, ideas and examples are they prepare their applications. The Writing Days are currently for those looking to apply for Associate or Fellow. Those considering making a claim for Senior Fellow after completing the diagnostic tool and discussion with their Bath Scheme Champion, are advised to contact acdev@bath.ac.uk for details of forthcoming workshops in October. The next Writing Day is on Tuesday 18th December 2018. Places can be booked by emailing acdev@bath.ac.uk. Lunch will be available, so please let us know your dietary requirements ASAP.
Shut Up and Write Wednesdays (SUAWW) are aimed at those who have participated in a Writing Day and/or started their application. These sessions are ideal for taking time away from the office to focus on writing the application. Please sign up at https://moodle.bath.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=57926 for further details and venues. Forthcoming Writing Wednesdays afternoons will take place on Wednesday 26 September, Wednesday 31 October, and Wednesday 28 November.
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