Participants of Advance HE’s Enhancing Programme Leadership (EPL) development programme have been the first to receive a brand new digital badge following completion of the programme. The badges are part of a pilot scheme and are only available for EPL participants. The badges will be rolled out to all of Advance HE’s development programmes in the future.
EPL is designed to develop the skills and capabilities of leaders of teaching and learning in their institution at a time when they may be new to leadership, or looking to gain confidence in their leadership skills. It seeks to address the individual challenges, opportunities and realities of new programme leaders, by developing their networks and skills and providing tools to enable them to thrive in this unique role.
Rachael Mabe, University Teacher in Marketing, took part in the previous cohort of EPL, and was among the first to receive an Advance HE digital badge for her development. She spoke to us about the programme and the impact of the digital recognition.
Enhancing Programme Leadership aims to support programme leaders at a time when they may be new to leadership, or looking to gain confidence in their leadership skills.
The next cohort of EPL begins on 14 October 2021 and includes four virtual modules.
“I was lucky to participate in the Advance HE – Enhancing Programme Leadership earlier this year, along with several colleagues from De Montfort University. The programme kicked off in January 2021, at the start of the third lockdown, and like many working in higher education, I was really feeling the pressure of work, home-schooling and the wider impact of the pandemic. In all honesty, the idea of having to make time for something extra meant I started this process with a little uncertainty and reluctance. However, I always advise learners, sometimes we don’t know what is best for us and this is certainly true on this occasion.
“The programme was well-organised and covered interesting theories and models (a number of which I hadn’t come across previously). It was also genuinely wonderful to have some room to think, with my email account and Teams accounts firmly muted, whilst seeing how those running the course approached teaching in a virtual world. I’ve since added Google Jam boards to my teaching arsenal for this year. The best takeaway was adding a new WhatsApp group to my phone, without even realising I had been missing one. This was formed with the wonderful professionals I was grouped with (#GroupDRocks) and we’ve kept in touch beyond the course to ask for advice and help.
“The cherry on top of the cake was the digital badge I received for the programme – as a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing I’d received digital badges for my CPD with them, and I think it’s a great way to recognise learning and commitment to your professional development.”