Walking the tightrope: enabling mindset and practice transformation at scale through compassionate academic development

Martin Compton*, Alison Gilmour

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debatepeer-review

Abstract

This reflection centres on how existing tensions in academic development work were magnified and challenged as competing imperatives sought to (re)define the roles of academic developers at a UK university during the pandemic in 2020. In a situation of heightened anxiety amongst all stakeholders, issues relating to professional agency, expertise, and pedagogic approaches surfaced. This resulted in a delicate ‘tightrope walk’ of fulfilling obligations as defined by senior leadership and academic colleagues whilst asserting an authentic and compassionate approach that was true to professional values, experience, and expertise.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)203-206
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal for Academic Development
Volume27
Issue number2
Early online date17 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • academic development
  • agency
  • blended learning
  • compassion
  • pedagogy of kindness

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