The UCD Fellowships in Teaching & Academic Development were launched in 2007 with the appointment of eight Fellows to work on the development of new innovative projects in teaching and learning and to carry out research into areas of strategic importance for the University. The Directors of the Fellowship scheme are Professor Bairbre Redmond, Deputy Registrar for Teaching and Learning and Elizabeth Noonan, Director of Academic Development.

Hear a personal account from Dr Patricia Kieran about the Fellowships experience.

 
The Fellowship Scheme formally commenced at the end of May 2007 with the appointment of eight fellows. All Fellows worked on one of two strategic university projects: The First Year Experience or Using Assessment for Student Engagement. In addition each fellow undertook a project addressing a teaching & academic development issue in their disciplinary area.

The Report of the Fellowships in Teaching & Academic Development details the findings of both the university-wide and individual projects. UCD Fellowships Report 2007-09  More information on the research and outputs can be found in the Project Outcomes and Publications document.

This innovative initiative was made possible by funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund which supports the projects of the fellows. 

The UCD Fellowships were formally reviewed by a panel of internal and external peers in November 2008.

“The initiative is significant at international level and has already raised the profile and reputation of UCD.  There are opportunities to develop this further.  The quality and extent of the work and its evidence-based approach are noteworthy.  The Fellowship scheme is an innovative project that is fit for purpose and context, and I commend all involved” 
(Professor Alan Davidson, Dean for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching & Assessment) The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

A second round of fellows were appointed by competition for the period 2009-11.

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The two areas highlighted for the current round of fellowships are:

Teaching for Transitions

Fellowship projects in this category are focused on supporting students and developing their learning through times of transition. Such transitional periods include:

1. The transition into stage 1
2. The transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study
3. The transition from passive learning to research understanding and capability

Development of Elective Provision

Fellowship projects in this category are focused on developing elective provision within UCD Horizons, such as the development of structured or thematic electives, electives that develop active citizenship and electives in areas of strategic importance which will prove valuable across a range of programmes.

Project Pages

For more information see the project pages Critical Thinking in the University Curriculum or Development of General Electives.

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