Ideas, experience and research shared at sixth Harper Adams Learning and Teaching conference

The return of the Harper Adams Learning and Teaching conference has seen more than 130 people come together to share ideas, experiences and research.

The conference, the sixth of its kind, not only included a wide range of contributions from Harper Adams staff and students, but also presentations from external experts – including staff from University of Birmingham’s Higher Education Futures Institute, the University of Sussex and Staffordshire University, from technology company PebblePad and from Advance HE. 

Harper Adams Director of Education, Professor Lydia Arnold, said: “The conference provides a unique space for us to hear about techniques and innovations in teaching from across the sector. It was especially pleasing to have attendance from a number of our own students who collaborated with staff to stimulate discussion and reflection.

“Sessions focused on a range of key issues including assessment, student welfare, active learning, international student experiences, student research, and placement. The number of staff who joined the day and the quality of the talks, workshops and posters, really emphasises the commitment of this university to the student experience -  staff are always invested in developing their teaching and support practices for the benefit of our student body.

“It’s fantastic that our Students Union are so involved in the day too - at lunchtime, the SU President along with our Vice Chancellor, presented our Student Voice Awards.

“These annual awards are offered by the Students' Union to recognise staff who have been nominated by students for their outstanding contribution.”

Staff receiving the awards were presented with a trophy and a locally sourced food hamper as a token of appreciation from the student body.

Catch up with some of the highlights from the day from social media below.

Delighted to open #HarperLT. I spoke of the connection between Her Late Majesty’s relationship with Her Prime Ministers and the topics we are exploring through today’s conference. Learning, knowledge, insight, adaptability and trust. Thank you to all involved. @HarperAdamsUni

— Ken Sloan (@ProfKenSloan) September 14, 2022

@ProfKenSloan giving a thoughtful welcome and introduction to the annual @HarperAdamsUni Learning and Teaching Conference. Great to see so many of my mighty fine colleagues in the same room and congratulations to all those staff who have obtained their #FHEA #HarperLT pic.twitter.com/27USYgPj9k

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) September 14, 2022

?? excited for today #HarperLT

With “The Joy of Not Knowing” pic.twitter.com/lEz8Aht2xk

— Danielle M Hinton - SFHEA ???????????? (@hintondm) September 14, 2022

Opening the #HarperLT conference with a celebration of our new FHEA colleagues, @ProfKenSloan supporting our role in ‘nurturing and encouraging people’ pic.twitter.com/Fr2NhMddp5

— Jane Headley (@JaneHarperTutor) September 14, 2022

At @HarperAdamsUni, check out the giant welly boots!! pic.twitter.com/nnhFAYiLnU

— Prof. Chris Headleand (@ChrisHeadleand) September 14, 2022

Starting todays Learning and teaching conference @HarperAdamsUni with @ChrisHeadleand discussing student engagement #HarperLT pic.twitter.com/tKiR1qTlYh

— Nicky Naylor (@NickyNaylor2) September 14, 2022

At #HarperLT today, 15 mins in and already have career envy of @ChrisHeadleand !

— Dr Zoë Davies (@DrSelfy) September 14, 2022

Brilliant to see student engagement as the topic for the keynote at #HarperLT pic.twitter.com/mfXntCWBDm

— Liam Davis (@Liam_Davis1989) September 14, 2022

This is such an important point to us from an outreach and widening participation perspective! #HarperLT pic.twitter.com/NWUlvVrVwv

— Harper Adams On Tour (@HarperOnTour) September 14, 2022

Excellent opening key note session from @ChrisHeadleand for the #HarperLT conference. Some really interesting and innovative ideas for getting students more engaged in their own learning pic.twitter.com/DCc5XnKitz

— Dr Sarah Morgan (@GrazyScientist) September 14, 2022

Great networking with posters from @SCOLPPStaffsUni, @cwaterhouse_e and more at #HarperLT pic.twitter.com/1UvV236wzw

— Lydia Arnold (@LydiaJArnold) September 14, 2022

#HEFiOnTour: It was such a pleasure for @LISACOULSON18 and myself to be invited to contribute to #HarperLT conference by @LydiaJArnold. We ran workshops on Authentic Assessment, Curriculum Design and Curriculum Mapping. And… had the required cow selfie ????! pic.twitter.com/BIDEDa0kW4

— Danielle M Hinton - SFHEA ???????????? (@hintondm) September 14, 2022

Having a fabulous day out at #HarperLT Some brilliant examples of assessment changes this morning. Looking forward to this afternoon

— Sue Lee (@SueLee99) September 14, 2022

Head of Client Success, Paul Duvall has been presenting at @HarperAdamsUni today for their Teaching and Learning #Conference.

Talking about the possibilities of developing curriculum and placement with #PebblePad

Thanks @LydiaJArnold for the opportunity to speak at #HarperLT pic.twitter.com/xaPgWgrYdB

— PebblePad (@PebblePad) September 14, 2022

Assessment showcase - hearing from colleagues about authentic assessments - field vivas for agronomy - live setting outdoors, personalised professional discussion, role play, live exemplars & even an aircraft exclusion zone so the exercise wasn’t interrupted - wowzers #HarperLT

— Lydia Arnold (@LydiaJArnold) September 14, 2022

More authentic assessment examples from @naked_barley - podcasts instead of essays, a motivating format for students - used as a format for debating and evaluating current challenges in agriculture #HarperLT sounds amazing!

— Lydia Arnold (@LydiaJArnold) September 14, 2022

Congratulations to colleagues @HarperAdamsUni on their awards from the Student Choice survey including Tom Underhill, ?@GrahamHarperEng? and Claire Toogood ?? ???? pic.twitter.com/qrxn32Xhq3

— Jane Headley (@JaneHarperTutor) September 14, 2022

What an amazing couple of days with inspirational people who are passionate about teaching and learning at @HarperAdamsUni. Thank you @LydiaJArnold and @JaneHarperTutor for such a great time!

— Dr Wendy Garnham (@DrWGarnham) September 14, 2022

It’s a stunning uni, was lovely to visit

— Prof. Chris Headleand (@ChrisHeadleand) September 14, 2022

Thank you @LydiaJArnold, Lesley and everyone who made this exciting event happen. @HarperAdamsUni #HarperLT https://t.co/IRUZ2IDEvz

— Ken Sloan (@ProfKenSloan) September 14, 2022

#HarperLT “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be”.
Maya Angelou pic.twitter.com/NScngeIgrY

— Danielle M Hinton - SFHEA ???????????? (@hintondm) September 14, 2022