University announces new Learning and Teaching Fellows and celebrates achievements

The achievements of more than 30 teaching and specialist professional services staff have been celebrated at the 2025 Harper Together Learning and Teaching Conference.

Of these, 24 people have successfully completed their Postgraduate Certificates in either Teaching and Learning in Higher Education or Teaching and Support of Learning in Higher Education.

Both qualifications follow the completion of accredited courses by AdvanceHE, a member-led charity that works with partners across the globe to improve higher education for staff, students and society. 

Eleven colleagues also achieved professional recognition with individual applications to achieve Fellowship of AdvanceHE (FHEA), demonstrating their commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience, in diverse academic or professional settings.

The was a wide breadth of employees recognised, with staff receiving recognition drawn from both Harper Adams and Harper-Keele Vet School, from lecturers to student wellbeing professionals and laboratory specialists, and working in both academic and professional services departments.  

The Aspire Scheme, Harper Adams’ own AdvanceHE-accredited professional recognition pathway, has also continued to support staff in their development journeys over the past year. Through mentoring, peer review, and reflective practice, the scheme empowers educators and all who support the student experience to grow and gain formal recognition for their contributions.

As well as the staff who have received recognition through the PgC, five staff have achieved Associate Fellowship via the Aspire Scheme, three have secured a Fellowship and three gained a Senior Fellowship.

Professor Lydia Arnold, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education, Students & Digital at Harper Adams, said: " These wards of recognition acknowledge the impact, leadership, and dedication of Harper Adams staff in fostering enriching learning environments and supporting student success.

“To gain a Fellowship, staff must demonstrate a deep commitment to inclusive and effective teaching, assessment and support of students, underpinned by evidence-based practice. These awards are a testament to the professionalism and passion of our whole staff community."

Staff who have worked towards recognition have shared their work at events  as well as through peer-reviewed journals, on effective teaching practices, sustainability in education, and student engagement – helping to foster cross-institutional learning and collaboration.