Psychology E-Bulletin December 2011

  • Publication Date: 20-12-2011

Welcome to the newsletter.

Welcome to the Higher Education Academy psychology e-bulletin. This bulletin will keep you informed with the latest news, events, resources and funding opportunities, on a monthly basis. If you have any comments or information you would like to include in future editions of the bulletin, please email Julie Hulme, discipline lead for psychology.

Feel free to forward this bulletin to interested colleagues; to subscribe or unsubscribe, please get in touch with Julie, or use your ‘My Academy’ account. This is the final e-bulletin of 2011; we wish you a very happy holiday season, and look forward to working with you in 2012.

News

HEA News

PhD studentship funding

This brand new scheme from HEA supports institutions in delivering postgraduate research through its doctoral programme. Supervisors are invited to apply for funding for students who will conduct learning and teaching-focused research either within a discipline or in an interdisciplinary context. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 10th February 2012.

International scholarship scheme launched

HEA are very proud to announce their new international scholarship scheme. The scheme provides funds to support academics wishing to undertake scholarship of learning and teaching in another country for three to six months, with a view to disseminating their findings within the UK higher education sector. Applications must be received by 31 January 2012.

New discipline change programme

Does your department need to make changes to improve the student learning experience? In the light of new challenges within the higher education sector, departments are increasingly striving for high levels of student satisfaction, especially as measured by the National Student Survey. This programme will enable departments to work creatively around projects and ideas that aim to improve the student experience, and will ensure that the process of change is comprehensively planned, developed using evidence-based practice, strategically implemented, and meaningfully evaluated. Support from HEA is provided throughout this year-long change programme, to help you to best position yourselves to deliver an outstanding learning experience to your students.

 

HEA STEM News

Teaching biology and psychology in higher education

HEA Psychology and Biosciences are joining forces to provide this event for higher education teachers who are not on full academic contracts. The event is open to postgraduates who teach, postdoctoral researchers, visiting practitioner lecturers, occasional lecturers, and anyone else who teaches either subject as a small part of, or additional to, their usual role. It will take place on 10 January 2012 at Keele University.

The programme will include psychology-specific workshops, and session leaders include Professor Lin Norton, Anne Tierney and Dr Patrick Tissington.

Places are limited, so please book promptly! Don’t forget, you can also apply for assistance with your travel expenses from the HEA UK travel fund.

Volunteer reviewers needed

HEA are looking forward to receiving bids for a range of exciting new funding opportunities, and we need your help! Psychology academics with expertise in teaching and learning will be needed to help review proposals for our international scholarship scheme (more information above) and Teaching Development Grants, as well as for a ‘soon to be announced’ funding strand for PhD studentships. This is a useful addition to a curriculum vitae, and will help you to develop real understanding of the criteria used to judge bids to the HEA. Such understanding is of genuine benefit when applying for later funding opportunities, and can make you very popular amongst colleagues looking to apply themselves! If you think you have appropriate expertise and would like to help, please contact Julie Hulme for details.

 

Psychology News

‘Tackling transition’

HEA and the National Science Learning Centre (NSLC) are working together on a project to bring together psychology teachers from schools and colleges with university academics. The aim of the project is to facilitate collaboration between the two sectors to help support psychology students making the transition from sixth form to higher education. The project will be launched on the evening of 7 February 2012 with an event at the NSLC in York, to be attended by key figures from both sectors, including Professor Craig Mahoney, Chief Executive of the HEA. Places are strictly limited, but if you are working in either sector within travelling distance of York, and would like to take part, please contact Julie Hulme for more information.

 

News from the BPS

The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Statement of Policy on Authorship and Publication Credit which may of interest to psychologists.

BPS are also calling for nominations for several awards for contributions to psychology and psychology education:

  • The Spearman Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding published work in psychology, deadline 6 January 2012; contact Elizabeth Beech for nomination guidelines;
  • The Psychology Education Board Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to recognise and celebrate unusually significant and sustained contributions to psychology education, deadline 31 January 2012; contact Kelly Auty for nomination guidelines;
  • The Presidents’ Award is given in recognition of exceptional contributions to psychological knowledge, deadline 9 March 2012; contact Elizabeth Beech for nomination guidelines;
  • Award for Excellence in Psychology Education - members are invited to make nominations for this award for those who teach at any level or who have made a significant contribution to psychology education, deadline 31 March 2012; contact Kelly Auty for nomination guidelines.

BPS are also pleased to announce their Undergraduate Research Assistantship Scheme - awards will be made to researchers (not directly to the student) to allow them to provide an undergraduate with 'hands-on' experience of research during the summer vacation, to gain an insight into scientific research and to encourage them to consider an academic career. The deadline for applications is 9 March 2012. Please contact Elizabeth Beech for information.

 

Other News

Professor Lindsey McEwen and Professor Kristine Mason O'Connor would like to invite you to contribute to a survey investigating institutional recognition and support of higher education staff involvement in public and community engagement. The deadline for completion is 9 January 2012. All responses will be treated as confidential and the anonymity of respondents is assured. The questionnaire, which comprises open and closed questions, will take around 15 mins to complete.

The results will inform a forthcoming publication, and also a workshop for STEM colleagues, to improve institutional support for higher education staff who are, or wish to be, involved in public and community engagement work as part of their employment. If you would like a summary of the results, please email Lindsey. A synthesis of results will be circulated to all HEIs in the United Kingdom to promote the development of policy and practice in public/ community engagement.

 

Publications, Resources and Funding

Resource of the month

Each month, we intend to highlight a resource from the HEA resource centre that we think colleagues will find helpful. If you’ve found a specific resource on the HEA website particularly useful, please email Julie Hulme to let her know, and it may appear here in future months.

This month, we’d like to recommend Naomi Craig and Luci Zinckiewicz (2010) ‘Inclusive Practice within Psychology Higher Education’. This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the diverse needs of psychology students during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies, as well as pointing you at other tried and tested resources. If you want to know more about who your students are, or best practice in working inclusively, this is the guide for you!

 

Call for events

The HEA is calling for discipline-focused workshops and seminars, and Julie Hulme would be very pleased to hear from departments who would like to offer an event in psychology. Participating departments receive funding and support from HEA to deliver an event on teaching and learning in psychology. This is a great opportunity to work with HEA to disseminate your own good practice, and to provide a continuing professional development event for staff in your department.

 

Events

Teaching Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology (CHIP)

Advance notice: 2 April 2012, St Hilda’s College, Oxford

HEA and the History and Philosophy of Psychology Section (HPPS) of the BPS are working together to provide a continuing professional development event to support academics in delivering this key component of the psychology curriculum. Registration will be just £5 for those also attending the History and Philosophy of Psychology conference, taking place at the same venue on 3-5 April 2012, or can be arranged separately for £100. More details will be available from the HPPS and HEA in January, but in the meantime, please put this date in your diary. Places will be limited, and in demand, so do get your booking in early if you wish to attend!

Interested individuals may wish to apply for support with their expenses from the HEA UK travel fund.

Europlat2012 - European Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference

28-30 June 2012, Vilnius University, Lithuania

Submission deadline - 5 January 2012

Europlat2012 is the conference organised by the Europlat Academic Network. This international conference provides an exciting forum for the discussion and exchange of knowledge, practice and expertise on all aspects of psychology teaching, learning and assessment, at both the undergraduate and the postgraduate level.

You are now invited to submit proposals for papers, workshops, and posters/demonstrations. We especially welcome submissions that contribute to:

  • good practice in psychology teaching, learning or assessment;
  • theoretical debate relevant to psychology teaching and learning;
  • professional development related to psychology education.

Typical subjects for submission might include:

  • evaluation studies of teaching, learning or assessment practice;
  • innovative developments including a clear rationale and evaluation;
  • surveys of practice in relation to psychology education in HE;
  • informed discussion of policy or strategic issues.

All proposals will be reviewed for inclusion in the conference programme and proceedings.

Back to top