Demonstrating your Impact
See how HEFi's work is having an impact at the University of Birmingham and more widely and find out how you can make an impact in your educational practice.
HEFi Award and Recognition Framework
The HEFi Awards and Recognition Framework draws together many of the opportunities to get involved with HEFi and organises them according to typical levels of experience. Links to all the activities are contained within the framework so that you can find out more before deciding what is right for you.
Beacon Fellowships
HEA Fellowship is an internationally recognised 'qualification' which shows commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning in higher education. As of 28th October 2021 the number of HEA Fellows globally is over 150,000. Beacon is our institutional scheme, accredited by Advance HE, awarding Associate Fellowship, Fellowship, Senior Fellowship and Principal Fellowship of the HEA.
Developing your impact
Reflecting on and evaluating your practice, and its impact on your students' learning is an important part of developing as an educator. There are several frameworks that support this: the (UK) Professional Standards Framework and our own Birmingham Academic Career Framework are two examples. HEFi offers opportunities and support to becoming a reflective practitioner, and engaging with HEFi may provide opportunities for you to demonstrate your impact to a wider audience.
National Teaching Fellowships
The prestigious National Teaching Fellowships, organised by Advance HE, are awarded through an annual competitive process.
Each year HEFi invites staff to apply for an institutional nomination and supports those who are successful through the process.
The Old Gym (Y1), Home to HEFi
HEFi-OPEN is a platform created by HEFi so that all of us involved in teaching and enhancing learning can raise queries, give and receive advice, and share comments with our community of practice.
HEFi Scholars
HEFi Scholars are members of staff who have demonstrated a commitment not only to their own teaching and continuing professional development but to the wider university and other academic communities. HEFi Scholars meet regularly to discuss education-related challenges and opportunities. They have access to dedicated seed funding for collaborative projects. They are invited to join university working groups and projects. Most recently, the new Birmingham Graduate Attributes were developed through a HEFi Scholars project. Becoming a HEFi Scholar is by application.
UKAT Recognition
UKAT Professional Recognition is a nationally recognised award which gives external recognition of a commitment to developing the best standards of teaching and learning in higher education with a focus on supporting students through academic advising/personal tutoring.
"In my experience, HEFi is a vital 1st port of call if you want to innovate, or try something new with learning and teaching on your programme!" - Colm Fearon - Management UoB
Mentoring
Mentoring can be a hugely rewarding activity and is a very clear example of educational citizenship. You might be interested in mentoring a colleague from your department or school who is participating in the PGCHE. You might also enjoy mentoring someone from a completely different discipline, who is applying for HEA Fellowship. Sharing your experience and expertise with your community benefits everyone and it is always lovely to be recognised when an assessment or application is successful!
HEFi Fellows
HEFi Fellows are senior education leaders who have been recognised by one or more of: Principal Fellowship, a National Teaching Fellowship, a Chair in an aspect of higher education teaching and learning. Becoming a HEFi Fellow is by invitation and this network will often have a strategic input into education at the University of Birmingham.
HEFi Fellows and Scholars
The Reflective Practitioner
Becoming a reflective academic is part of the Academic Development Programme.
It provides the rationale for becoming a reflective practitioner and introduces models of reflective practice, it focuses on practical and contextual approaches to reflection. It builds skills in thinking reflectively, analysing, planning and implementing the learning that reflection promotes. It also encourages self-awareness.
Assessing
If you have achieved HEA Fellowship through the Beacon Professional Recognition Scheme you might consider becoming an assessor and reviewing other applications. You are trained and supported through the process and, by getting involved, are making a contribution to the professionalisation of teaching at our institution.
On top of that, it is always interesting to read and learn about the practice of others!
"Education related CPD needs to be at the core of what we do. As professionals, it is important that we keep up to date with the latest developments in our field and take time to reflect on what we do. Embedding such an approach can have positive impacts for our students, ourselves and, above all, can be fun!" - Professor Mark Sterling, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor UoB.
How to be amazing!
We run regular workshops on how to evidence impact in your practice. If you are thinking about your next steps, whether it is applying for promotion, Fellowship or anything else that needs evidence of your teaching expertise keep an eye out on the HEFi Showcase Series for opportunities to join us.
Giving back
Citizenship relates to helping others for the ultimate benefit of staff, students, and the institution. There are a number of ways to demonstrate citizenship through engagement with HEFi. We regularly seek representatives from the Colleges and Professional Services to sit on our Exam Boards, Boards of Study, and Beacon Assessment Panels. Giving your time to these important university committees is making a contribution to how education is supported at our University.
"Examples of Citizenship may also be included in Education, Research and/or EE&I" - Birmingham Academic Career Framework
Find out more