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Application Process (UTFS)

Application process:

The University is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through its Teaching & Learning funding and award schemes, and to ensuring that these schemes are accessible to all colleagues. We welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including ethnic minority, LGBT+, disabled and neurodivergent applicants. We also welcome applications from the wide range of disciplines and areas across the University, including colleagues in professional services roles and those on part-time contracts.

A call for applications will be announced by the Centre for Quality Support and Development.

Applicants will be required to submit an application (using the form below) to the University Teaching Fellowship Selection Panel.

The UTF Selection Panel comprises:

  • Two Teaching and Learning Deans, one of whom will act as Chair
  • Two University Teaching Fellows
  • A CQSD representative
  • Reading Students' Union Education Officer

The Panel will meet to review the applications and award a small number of University Teaching Fellowships, according to the extent to which the applications meet the scheme criteria.

Applicants should bear in mind that this is a highly competitive process as a limited number of awards are made each year. As such, any appeal can only be made on the grounds of process.

Applicants are encouraged to ensure they allow sufficient time to discuss their application with a current UTF and/or their Teaching and Learning Dean prior to submission. 

Feedback will be offered to unsuccessful candidates, who will also be offered support towards developing a future application.

Scheme criteria and guidance:

Nominees are required to submit a 2,000 word (maximum) Fellowship application, which clearly articulates their role in developing teaching and learning and/or the support of teaching and learning within the University.

The Scheme focusses on three criteria, which align with those of the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme:

1. Individual excellence

2. Raising the profile of excellence

3. Developing excellence.

The application should address the scheme criteria, providing clear evidence for each, as appropriate to the member of staff's role within the University.

Applicants should provide evidence of the impact of their work both within and beyond the local setting, and should demonstrate a sustained impact of their work wherever possible.

Applicants are encouraged to contextualise their case against the scheme criteria within a personal narrative.

Applicants are strongly advised to adhere to the maximum word limits for each section. The Selection Panel will not take into account any words exceeding these limits. Hyperlinks and video clips will not be taken into consideration by the Panel and should therefore be avoided. The judicious use of images, diagrams and tables is permitted (any text should be included in the word count).

Background information

(max. 200 words)

Any contextual information in support of the Fellowship claim. This could, for example, include the applicant's rationale for applying, their teaching/teaching support philosophy, details of their current roles & responsibilities within the University.

Individual excellence (Criterion 1)

(max. 600 words)

Dedication to teaching and learning and/or its support

Stimulating and inspiring learning (e.g. teaching performance and module delivery, creation of engaging materials), evidenced by student evaluation and peer review

Recognising and supporting a diversity of student learning needs

Willingness to adopt good practice and innovative approaches to teaching and learning and/or the support of teaching and learning

Raising the profile of excellence (Criterion 2)

(max. 600 words)

Contributing to the development of colleagues in teaching and learning and/or its support (e.g. contributions to School training events, leading local/institutional initiatives and investigations into new teaching and support approaches)

Contributing to the development and understanding of teaching and learning and/or its support (e.g. through contributions to School, institutional and/or national initiatives, engagement with Advance HE)

Involvement in and/or leading teaching and learning initiatives or projects, (e.g. Teaching & Learning Development Fund (TLDF), JISC bids etc.)

Dissemination of good practice in teaching and learning (e.g. writing articles/papers for teaching and learning publications, leading/participating in teaching and learning workshops within and outside the University etc.)

Developing excellence (Criterion 3)

(max. 600 words)

Evidence of a commitment to, and impact of, individual professional development

Evidence of a reflective approach to teaching and learning and/or teaching and learning support

Awareness of teaching and learning initiatives both within the University and at a national level.

Background information

(max. 200 words)

Any contextual information in support of the Fellowship claim. This could, for example, include the applicant's rationale for applying, their teaching/teaching support philosophy, details of their current roles and responsibilities within the University. 

Additional support for applications:

1) DETAILED GUIDANCE ON WRITING UTF APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND BELOW:

2) YOU CAN ACCESS TWO SCREENCASTS AND TRANSCRIPTS ABOUT THE UTF BELOW:

Transcript introducing the University Teaching Fellowship Scheme

  • Writing your UTF application This short screencast helps to unpick what each section of the UTF application is looking for and gives you some tips and hints for putting your application together.

Transcript of Writing your UTF application

If you would like support with your application from an existing UTF, please contact Jennie Chetcuti

List of University Teaching Fellows:

You can find a list of University Teaching Fellows on the UTF webpage

Scheme requirements:

Applicants for the UTFS should normally be recognised at Descriptor 2 (Fellowship of the HEA) (or its equivalent) of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) and should typically be working towards Descriptor 3 (Senior Fellowship). However, this is not a prerequisite for applying.

Please note that successful completion of the University's Academic Practice Programme (APP) is not in itself a sufficient case for a successful UTFS application.

The UTFS is open to staff on fixed-term contracts as well as those on open-ended contracts, provided that there is a minimum of 12 months remaining on the individual member of staff's contract from the date the UTF would be awarded (i.e. from the start of the following academic session). This is to ensure that UTFs can make effective use of their award and can contribute to the development of T&L at the University.

Applicants are expected to discuss their application with their School Director of Teaching and Learning/Head of Service and with their Teaching and Learning Dean (where relevant) who should both be asked to sign the form prior to submission, 

APPLICATION DATES:

Scheme opens: 09:00am - Monday 4 March 2024

Closing date for applications: 17:00pm - Monday 20 May 2024

Applicants will normally receive the Selection Panel's decision and feedback within four working weeks of the closing date.

Application form:

If you experience any difficulties completing or submitting the form please contact Martin Wise m.wise@reading.ac.uk

The application form will be here when the scheme opens.

Completed applications must be converted into a .PDF file and then submitted to Martin Wise (m.wise@reading.ac.uk) by 17.00pm by the submission deadline.

Sample applications:

Please contact Jennie Chetcuti should you wish to refer to successful applications from previous years.