A presentation from the STEM Annual Conference 2014.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MaPS) at the University of Leeds established discipline-based Industrial Advisory Boards (IABs) with the support of the National HE STEM Programme. The faculty was advised by the University of Sheffield who had also recently established an IAB under the National HE STEM Programme. Using the Practice Transfer Adopters Scheme (PTAS) Sheffield was able to share their experiences and ease the process at Leeds and at a number of other institutions nationally. In turn the MaPS Faculty were able to share their experiences and resources with other faculties at Leeds thus easing the process of establishing an advisory board for other faculties.
Separate Advisory Boards were established in the Schools of Chemistry Mathematics and Physics although there is some overlap in membership. The IABs all consider both teaching and research activities. There is a strong focus on skills development and industrial projects/case studies for teaching. Methods for interaction between the board and current students such as networking events have been implemented.
The discussion will include time to develop and share delegates’ own practice in establishing IABs through facilitated group discussion and will be of value no matter what stage of development the school is at with respect to establishing IABs. There will also be an opportunity to discuss other developments that may be suitable for practice transfer.
