Vicki is Head of Technology Enhanced Learning and a University Teaching Fellow at the University of Reading. With nearly 30 years’ experience of digital learning, innovation and change in higher education at both national and institutional level, she has been a driving force in bringing about sustained and significant transformation in student learning and assessment, teaching practice and organisational culture.
Vicki started her career in 1992 at the University of Kent in the national Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP). She supported staff in developing their teaching practice using hypermedia and emerging technologies at that time, including the World Wide Web. Following on from the success of TLTP, she provided strategic advice and guidance to other universities on use of technology in education as part of the national Teaching and Learning Technology Support Network.
Moving to the University of Surrey, Vicki established, developed and grew the university’s TEL presence and was a founding member of the university’s Teaching and Learning Centre. Over 15 years she led large scale initiatives, introducing multiple technologies including VLEs, virtual classrooms and e-voting; worked with Faculties in the development of blended and distance learning; researched the staff and student experience of TEL; co-created a student-led digital pioneer enterprise within the university’s Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Joining Reading in 2013, Vicki has led a rapid transformation in digital learning that has taken the institution from being behind the sector to becoming a centre of excellence in its use of technology in learning and teaching. With strategic and operational responsibilities, her significant achievements include establishing and developing expert teams; introducing professional development for TEL to support teaching practice and curriculum design; driving transformation in online assessment and feedback and maturing the university’s early MOOC FutureLearn activity into a sustained innovation with over 1.2 million enrolments.
Recognising that many people contribute to student learning and success, Vicki fosters a collegiate sense of ownership to bring about deep and widespread impact. Through developing trusted relationships with colleagues who represent different positions and perspectives, she achieves results that make a positive difference to students and colleagues.