Enhancing research practice

Introduction

This is one of the SEDA-PDF named awards available through SEDA’s Professional Development Framework. It is of particular relevance to staff working in post-compulsory education whose posts involve a substantial element of research.

Whilst a number of awards within the SEDA Professional Development Framework focus upon learning and teaching, SEDA is also committed to supporting the continuing professional development of staff involved in broader aspects of educational practice. This award reflects the national interest of HEIs, UK research funding bodies, HEFCE and the government, in the career development and management of staff engaged in research-related activities through initiatives such as the Concordat (1996, 2008), the Athena Project and Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework  (Vitae, 2010).  This award maps to the four domains of Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework .

Aims

• To support individuals in their professional activities and development aspirations
• To recognise individual professional achievements
• To advance professional practice
• To enhance the experience of students participating in higher education
• To encourage the development of learning communities with shared values.

Audience

This award is for staff employed in post-compulsory education whose posts involve research-based activities. Staff undertaking such research duties may be employed on full or part-time contracts that are permanent or fixed term; they may be conducting research individually or as part of a team, within a centre, department, school or faculty, or on a contract basis in response to the requirements of an external party. They may be employed as lecturers, carrying both teaching and research responsibilities, or in posts focused exclusively on research. This award recognises the diverse context within which research is undertaken and is therefore targeted at a broad range of colleagues from any discipline.

Values

Award recipients will have shown how their work is informed by the SEDA Values:

1. Developing understanding of how people learn
2. Practicing in ways that are scholarly, professional and ethical
3. Working with and developing learning communities
4. Valuing diversity and promoting inclusivity
5. Continually reflecting on practice to develop ourselves, others and processes.

Core development outcomes

Award recipients will be able to:

1. Identify their own professional development goals, directions or priorities
2. Plan for their initial and/or continuing professional development
3. Undertake appropriate development activities
4. Review their development and their practice, and the relations between them.

Specialist outcomes

Additionally award recipients will be able to:

1. Locate their research activities within wider contexts
2. Utilise a range of specialist knowledge/skills related to their research practice
3. Demonstrate how their research is informed by relevant legal and ethical considerations
4. Disseminate outcomes of their research
5. Undertake self management and/or leadership activities appropriate to their research role.

Additional guidance on this named award.