Six academic staff and one student have been awarded fellowship through the new Professional Learning Framework (PLF) accredited route at the University of Dundee.
The PLF is a form of continuing professional development and a mechanism for staff and students with teaching and supporting learning responsibilities to gain Fellowship of Advance HE through the experiential route.
Successfully completing the fellowship can support a case for academic promotion and may also help to support professional validation by external bodies.
Dr Fiona Muir, Reader and PLF lead at the University of Dundee, said,
“We are extremely pleased that the first applicants for Associate Fellow, Fellow and Senior Fellowship, aligned to the UKPSF 2011, have been awarded via the University’s PLF route. We now focus on supporting new applicants in meeting the PSF 2023 requirements.”
Vice-Principal (Education) at the University of Dundee, Professor Blair Grubb, said,
“We are delighted our Professional Learning Framework has awarded its first Fellowships of Advance HE. The award is a valuable measure of success and is increasingly recognised by a growing number of international institutions.
“The PLF is testament to the exceptional effort of Dr Fiona Muir, Mrs Monica Mathews and colleagues in putting together this tailored CPD experiential route to meet the development needs of staff and students in significant teaching and support roles and to professionally recognise their value.”
Professor Fiona Smart, External Reviewer, PhD, PFHEA, Learning and Teaching Enhancement Consultant, at the University of Dundee said:
“I was delighted to be part of the process through which these seven individuals have been recognised within the PLF Advance HE-accredited scheme. The University of Dundee is determined to ensure high quality teaching and the support of learning. This outcome is testament to that commitment."
New fellows at the University of Dundee share the impact of fellowship
“Associate Fellowship has given me a great foundation to build upon moving forwards as an academic foundation doctor that involves a teaching component as an honorary clinical fellow.” AFHEA
“Writing my Associate Fellowship application was a surprisingly rewarding process. Reflecting on my teaching practices, with a new perspective, was motivating and enlightening.” AFHEA
“The Advance HE Fellowship application process prompted me to reflect on where my passion lies.” FHEA
“The Senior Fellowship award means a lot; it is a recognition of my commitment to my team and students, and an acknowledgement of the quality of my work.” SFHEA
Growth in Dundee Medical Students receiving Associate Fellowship
A further 13 undergraduate medical students at the Dundee Medical School & Centre for Medical Education University of Dundee are awarded Associate Fellowship of Advance HE as part of the BMSc (Hons) Medical Education programme. Since fellowship was first awarded in 2020, a total of 52 students have now received Associate Fellowship.
BMSc (Hons) Medical Education at Dundee is designed purely for intercalated students (students who are allowed to officially take time away from studying from their main academic studies to complete this additional degree), and the first to be accredited for this specific group of students to achieve Associate Fellowship.
Dr Fiona Muir, Reader and course leader, said,
“This growing number of Associate Fellows at Dundee University demonstrates the students’ commitment and ability to meet the fellowship requirements through authentic teaching practice. We are delighted that all students have met the criteria for the award for teaching and supporting learning in higher education which demonstrates their practice is aligned to the Professional Standards Framework.”
Dr Kevin McConville, Senior Clinical Lecturer and course leader, said,
“This badge of international recognition is a commitment to the students’ professionalism and is increasingly sought by employers across the education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion.”
Vice-Principal (Education) at the University of Dundee, Professor Blair Grubb, said,
“We are delighted our undergraduate BMSc (Hons) Medical Education programme is continuing to substantially grow its number of Associate Fellows.
“The programme is clearly meeting the evolving needs of students who accomplish a noteworthy role in teaching and support for learning. It is a tremendous basis to build upon as an academic foundation doctor.”
Professor Fiona Smart, External Examiner, PhD, PFHEA, Learning and Teaching Enhancement Consultant, said,
“I commend student output from the BMSc (Hons) Medical Education programme aligned with Associate Fellowship. The work produced was of an excellent standard, indicative of students’ determination to progress their professional development and a highly supportive programme team.”
Revd. Prof. Will Foster, Advance HE Assistant Director Professional Recognition, said, “Congratulations to everyone involved in this work. It’s excellent news that the University’s new Professional Learning Framework is in place to reward and recognise the commitment of staff and students to great teaching and continuous professional development.
"It is also very encouraging to see the commitment to Associate Fellowship from students at Dundee Medical School & Centre for Medical Education – and to the school itself - for developing this important opportunity to align early-stage teaching to the PSF. Well done to all involved!”