We are delighted to announce the Advance HE Teaching & Learning Conference 2018, this year focusing on what we can learn from higher education practices from across the world. Structured over three days, the conference will provide a platform for higher education professionals to share their experiences, ideas, research and good practice in a community of their peers and learn from internationally respected speakers.
The conference format allows for cross-fertilisation of pedagogies, with a day dedicated to addressing sector priorities, such as retention, assessment and employability, sandwiched between two days of discipline-led activities.
View the conference programme and abstracts
The conference is an ideal opportunity to:
- meet like-minded peers,
- build networks,
- expand your knowledge of sector issues and innovations,
- strengthen your own professional practice and reputation.
Teaching in the spotlight: Learning from global communities
Teaching excellence in UK higher education (HE) has increased in importance and interest over the last few years, in response to the introduction of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in England, the HE Bill, ongoing tuition fee and funding model debates and the continuing marketisation of HE. HE organisations have also been looking further afield to learn from the global HE sector both through best practice and global partnerships.
The Advance HE Teaching & Learning Conference 2018 will position the spotlight firmly on teaching in a global context, in particular how we can learn from global communities to ensure the best student experience for all and the ongoing development and professionalisation of the HE teaching community.
Teaching might have been described by Jo Johnson (Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation) as “the poor cousin” to research, but, for most of the sector, the pursuit, recognition and reward of excellent teaching is a recurring motif. For many individuals it is one of the main reasons that they care so passionately about their work – the direct and immediate difference they can make to the student learning experience. The global HE sector is full of innovative teaching and examples of institutional and individual commitment to high quality learning and teaching environments that enhance student engagement.
For over a decade, the HEA (and its predecessors, the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and the Learning and Teaching Support Network) has acted as a nexus for thought leadership and research into teaching and learning policy and practice in HE. The underpinning evidence base has been built up by and for the sector and is used to inform the work of policy makers and practitioners.
With an ever growing global community of subscribing institutions, a portfolio of thematic and subject-based communities with global membership and a network of experts and teaching focused activities, this conference seeks to promote the learning between individuals with a passion for transforming teaching and inspiring learning.
Excellent subject knowledge and excellent teaching are not an either/or phenomena; they are intertwined, mutually validating and complexly expressed through an individual’s teaching practice. This is why the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) prioritises and values an academic’s knowledge of their “subject material” and discipline-specific pedagogies alongside their general understanding of “how students learn”. (Authenticity as a teacher comes in part from a passion for their subject – we all instinctively know when we are in the presence of a teacher who loves their subject). The conference will allow individuals to share their experiences, innovative developments in teaching pedagogies and learn from those of others who share the same commitment to teaching excellence.
3 days
The Conference
The HE Advance Teaching & Learning Conference is led by the learning and teaching community and is made possible by those who submit their ideas, research and innovations, and volunteer to present their work and experiences to you.
Presenter guidance
We have prepared guidance for all presenters at the conference. This provides you with important dates and acceptable formats for all types of session.
Each strand will run on a particular day, as indicated in the table below. Posters will be available to view across the three days.
|
3 July |
4 July | 5 July |
|
Arts and Humanities & Health and Social Care |
Sector Priorities |
STEM & Social Sciences |
Session types are:
- Interactive breakout sessions (60 minutes);
- Oral presentations (15 minute presentation, 5 minute Q&A);
- Ignite sessions: (5 minutes);
- Workshop (60 minutes);
- Poster presentation.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This event is for higher education professionals, whatever their role, with an interest in raising the quality of their own teaching practice, expanding their knowledge and building their reputation.
Conference fees: Standard rates post 7 January 2018
| Subscribing institution (Strategic, Access and Global Partners) | Subscribing institution (Accredited Partner) | Non-subscriber | |
| 1 day | £250 | £350 | £450 |
| 2 days | £450 | £600 | £750 |
| 3 days | £600 | £780 | £1,014 |
| Annual dinner and debate (inc. VAT) | £80 | £80 | £80 |
| Networking BBQ (inc. VAT) | £25 | £25 | £25 |
| Full conference including BBQ and Debate (excl. VAT) | £675 | £855 | £1,089 |
Delegate places include refreshments and lunch. Please note, accommodation is not included within conference delegate fees.
We have arranged a concessionary rate with Conference Aston for accommodation. Rooms are available at £85+VAT for City Single, or £95+VAT for City Double. Please click here to book, and quote the code 'HEA2018'.
Please note that rooms at Conference Aston for the night of Monday 2 July are now fully booked.
Aston University Aston Street Birmingham B4 7ET
52.4866368, -1.890952
Feedback from the HEA Annual Conference 2017 - Generation TEF: Teaching in the spotlight:
“It was a great event, we made many new contacts and collaborations and we learnt a lot about improving our teaching and learning methods.”
"The conversations I had have sparked ideas to drive positive change in my institution.”
“First time experiencing a teaching conference here at #HEAconf17 roll on the next one! Such novel approaches and fascinating insights!”
“I left feeling that I had learnt something but also that I was part of a wider community devoted to Education. This is important as it does give a sense of belonging, in particular in these complex times that we are living.”
“The Annual Conference was a chance to re-affirm my belief that as a community we really do make a difference!”
“Brilliant event which allowed me to explore themes and ideas with others working in the higher education sector from many different organisations.”
Cancellation Policy
More than six months in advance of the conference we will refund 90% of the fee paid, between 6-4 months before the conference 75%, between 2-4 months 50% and if a cancellation is made less than 2 months before the conference then we reserve the right to give no refund. The percentage of the fees retained by the HEA will be used to cover administration costs including HEA administration, venue, catering and accommodation costs incurred for that delegate. If these costs could be recovered, then at our discretion, we would reimburse participants. We may also take a decision to refund fees in exceptional circumstances, again at our discretion.