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THE Awards 2022: Leading lights of UK and Irish higher education share their insights

Advice from the most talented and innovative faculty and university staff in the UK and Ireland

THE’s annual awards celebrate the best, brightest and most inspiring achievements and practices in universities across the UK and Ireland. In this collection, shortlisted candidates give advice and insight in areas such as research supervision, teaching innovation, community outreach, library management, support for students, knowledge exchange and international collaboration.

By dene.mullen, 14 November, 2022

Tips for involving young people in research in meaningful ways

Young men need to be involved in research if we're to close the attainment gap

To effect real transformation, research must be carried out with young people, who should be made aware of the key role they play and knowledge they bring to the process

Reading time

4minutes

Outstanding research supervisor of the year

Resources

By Eliza.Compton, 13 October, 2022

Students as co-explorers: how to build a synergistic research environment

Working with and for postgraduate students towards the goal of improved well-being and thriving in their future careers is the basis for successful research teams. Soo Downe offers tips based on her experience in midwifery studies

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 7 October, 2022

Doctoral training programmes: worthwhile or not?

Hands linked to show networks and collaboration

If the chance to work with gifted people and across unfamiliar disciplines appeals, a doctoral training programme could be for you, whether you’re a student or an academic

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 17 October, 2022

Ways to support research students in nursing and midwifery

Midwife hands baby to mother after hospital birth

PhD supervision requires a specific skill set – from communication to emotional intelligence – to meet its challenges and secure its rewards. Here, Helen Allan shares her advice based on more than 20 years of experience

By Miranda Prynne, 9 November, 2022

Make a difference: collaboration and participation in arts-led research

Artists can’t solve the world’s problems, but they are well placed to ask questions that enable ideas and creativity to emerge. And the local knowledge of communities holds a wealth of answers, writes Loraine Leeson

Reading time

3minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 10 November, 2022

What is the secret to leading a successful knowledge transfer partnership?

A team of computer scientists in discussion

Knowledge transfer partnerships between academics and businesses can result in innovative products and services. Tony Leslie offers 10 pointers on how to increase the likelihood of making these collaborations a success

Reading time

4minutes

Most innovative teacher of the year

Resources

By Miranda Prynne, 21 October, 2022

Lessons from students in how to adapt teaching to online learning

Embrace the student voice in order to develop and improve your online teaching with varied media and plenty of interactive elements to boost engagement and learning, says Nick Young

By Miranda Prynne, 2 November, 2022

Augmented reality in teaching: key challenges and how to overcome them

Will Shüler identifies three challenges of integrating augmented reality (AR) into the classroom and shares advice on how university tutors might navigate them

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 7 November, 2022

Teaching within virtual reality worlds: what, why and when

Gary Burnett offers five pointers on when and how teaching in virtual reality worlds can successfully enhance learning

By Miranda Prynne, 3 November, 2022

Home labs and simulations to spark curiosity and exploration

Francesco Fornetti explains how home lab kits and simulation tools can help spark curiosity and exploration among engineering students

By Miranda Prynne, 14 November, 2022

Strategies for developing live student-client projects

Projects in which students work in a professional consulting capacity with “client” organisations can bring many benefits for all involved, but need careful set-up and support, as Lyvia Royd-Taylor explains

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 4 November, 2022

Whole-task learning using real world simulations: a guide

A guide to creating and delivering a whole-task learning model using goal-based scenarios and hybrid simulation, by Michael Daly

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 16 November, 2022

How to train university staff to become anti-racist agents of change

Image of diverse groups forming supportive circles

Advice on supporting higher education professionals to become anti-racist agents of change, based on Adam Danquah’s experience doing so within his institution

Reading time

4minutes

Widening participation or outreach initiative of the year

Resources

By Eliza.Compton, 19 October, 2022

So, you want to reach out? Lessons from a ‘science for all’ programme

Public engagement in STEM strengthens research relevance and trust in science, but how can universities do it well? Here, the team behind S4 give three considerations based on a decade of effective outreach to disadvantaged schools

Reading time

5minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 27 October, 2022

How a sustainable internship programme can support social mobility

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds can remain on the back foot when entering the workforce. This programme offers higher education practitioners a replicable model that includes professional skills development and access

Reading time

3minutes

By sara.custer, 28 October, 2022

Flip the script: why listening is the best form of outreach

Community outreach like the Great Science Share for Schools requires listening

In aiming to widen participation, it’s easy to get lost in your own passion. Instead focus on understanding others’ needs – and keep it simple

Reading time

3minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 28 October, 2022

Tips on providing free public access to your university library

A man standing browsing papers in a university library

A university library should provide a gateway into the institution for surrounding communities, explains Andrew Barker, as he shares advice on creating a ‘library community card’ that provides free and open access to the public

By Miranda Prynne, 8 November, 2022

Digital first: how to use AI to enhance customer service in universities

Image of someone using a chatbot for advice

Seven points to consider when introducing artificial intelligence to provide front-line customer service support at your institution, by Paul Mahoney

Reading time

3minutes

By sara.custer, 4 November, 2022

How can universities ensure all new students feel welcome?

Nikki Anghileri and Elizabeth Parker share practical tips on executing an impactful and memorable welcome transition programme for new students from diverse backgrounds

Reading time

4minutes

By sara.custer, 28 October, 2022

Challenging elitism in medicine

Medical students challenge elitism in medical education

Early and ongoing support, inclusive selection processes and gateway programmes can help address the inequalities in access to medical training

Reading time

4minutes

Outstanding support for students

Resources

By Eliza.Compton, 26 October, 2022

Collective voices, zero tolerance

Universities can use their ability to engage with students to effect cultural change, as the Bystander Intervention initiative to combat sexual abuse has shown. Louise Crowley explains how they did it

By Eliza.Compton, 21 October, 2022

Career mentoring can support student employability

Illustration of mentoring tree of lightbulbs

Support for students extends beyond the classroom. Here’s how to develop a successful mentoring programme to help students take their first steps into the workplace

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 9 November, 2022

Welcome events make the transition to hybrid

Hands with 'hello' in many languages in speech bubbles

A hybrid orientation programme can be immersive, flexible, interactive, engaging and fun. These tips offer a path to developing a blended online and on-campus programme that makes students feel they belong

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 3 November, 2022

Virtual mobility: a first step to creating global graduates

Young woman holding digital impression of globe

If universities are serious about creating global graduates, they must explore virtual opportunities to build confidence and enthusiasm for international travel, says Alex Regan

Reading time

3minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 1 November, 2022

Using immersive tech to enrich healthcare education

As virtual reality technology has become more affordable and user friendly, it opens opportunities to enhance teaching of clinical skills. Here’s how one team brings VR into the classroom

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 4 November, 2022

Mix technology and personal contact to support students

A sophisticated algorithm and a simple phone call have proved to be a formula for student retention. And it’s not stopping as the pandemic recedes, says Jonathan Powles

Reading time

3minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 14 November, 2022

A digital boost to music teaching and performance

Drawing on an audiovisual project to create a virtual studio where researchers and students can test sound in multiple settings, from a cathedral to a cave, William Minty shares lessons on how to manage institution-wide tech developments

Reading time

4minutes

Outstanding marketing and communications team

Resources

By dene.mullen, 11 November, 2022

Tactics for revamping your comms with students front and centre

How to rethink university comms with student voice at the centre

How can you stay on top of the evolving student voice and ensure it’s at the heart of your communications? Kim Graakjaer shares her thoughts and some takeaway tips

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 16 November, 2022

Lessons learned in creating and using innovative social media strategies

Creating innovative social media content

If we aspire to enabling better educational decision-making, marketers first have to understand how, when and where prospects make those decisions

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 15 November, 2022

How to achieve PR impact with little – or no – budget

Achieving PR impact for your university on a budget

With finances squeezed across the sector, building trust and engagement – as well as relationships with partners and journalists – is crucial for PR impact, explains Tanya Wood

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 11 November, 2022

Clear communication as the key to international collaboration

Advice on effective communication for international collaborations

The success of international research collaborations rests upon clear communication, writes Marian Brady as she offers advice on what this involves in practice

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 15 November, 2022

A guide to promoting equity in HE for refugees and asylum seekers

Three adult students working at a shared desk

Steps that universities can take to help refugees and asylum seekers access and successfully progress through higher education

Reading time

5minutes