WIHEA Fellowship
On the basis of a proven record of achievement in learning and teaching, academic staff, professional service staff and students can become Fellows of WIHEA and take on a role of influence and leadership within the wider institution.
From an initial cohort of 41 ‘Foundation’ Fellows, who were integral to supporting the inception of the Academy and enabled it to quickly become an established part of the infrastructure for learning and teaching, the Academy continues to recruit on average 25 Fellows each year. The Academy currently has 91 FellowsLink opens in a new window. This includes 13 Ex-officio FellowshipsLink opens in a new window, which are offered to the holders of specific institutional roles that are key to supporting WIHEA’s strategic aims. Three of these roles are Student Union Officers.
To enable Foundation Fellows and all other Fellows to remain part of the WIHEA community at the end of their Fellowship term, the Alumni Fellowship Link opens in a new windowwas introduced in August 2018. Fellows automatically become Alumni at the end of their term unless leaving the institution. The Academy currently has 130 AlumniLink opens in a new window, whose knowledge and experience continues to support its activities.
What is the role of a Fellow?
Fellowships are of great benefit to the individual Fellows, their departments or professional service and the wider university community. Staff Fellows commit to the role and making an institutional contribution to learning and teaching at Warwick for three years, whilst Student Fellows commit to the role for one year.
Fellows take on institutional or Faculty roles that embed good practice in learning and teaching across the University. This can take many forms. Staff and Student Fellows can lead or take part in exchanges, projects, learning circles, proposing teaching and learning policy or develop new academic practice that enhance the student experience and student outcomes. They also take part in the formal governance of the University of Warwick, for instance by joining committees, sub committees and working groups and have a role in disseminating the wider work of the Academy across their Department, Service or Networks.
Fellows will be able to develop expertise in areas of interest to them and seek to develop influence within the institution to enhance practice and policy. They will also have the opportunity to inform our strategic and practical thinking on learning and teaching at Warwick, as and when new challenges or ambitions arise.
To better understand the role and the types of activities Fellows take on, browse through our Annual Reports,Link opens in a new window which provide an overview of the collective work that has took place over each academic year and Fellows who are approaching the end of their Fellowship share their individual achievements, experiences and reflections, they also make suggestions for anyone considering becoming a Fellow. For a further insight please also browse through our Fellows profiles, which contain insights into the topics and activities Fellows are planning to or currently involved with. The profile links for the most recent cohorts of Fellows are below.
What is expected of me as a Fellow?
It is anticipated that Fellows of the Academy already have FHEA or SFHEA recognition, but where this is not the case, support will be available to achieve this recognition in the first year of the Fellowship.
We would ask Fellows to attend and contribute to our regular Fellow Networking Lunches (approximately every six weeks).
Fellows are expected to be actively involved in governance, WIHEA projects, development activities, networks and think tanks that set the tone and develop the direction of learning and teaching at Warwick and/or the Academy itself and join at least one Learning Circle during the first year of Fellowship.
In addition to perhaps being a member of a Warwick committee, subcommittee and/or working group (as opportunities allow), we would expect Fellows to have either a leading role in a learning and teaching-funded project or assist in a consultancy capacity to support the strategic direction of learning and teaching at Warwick.
The level of engagement can differ between Fellows, dependent on what capacity and time each individual is able to make alongside their institutional role or studies. Leading a Learning Circle (arranging meetings, planning and co-ordinating tasks/contributions from members, keeping members up to date with progress, etc.) for example will require additional time commitment to being a member (attending meetings/contributing to research/information gathering/presenting) as would leading a WIHEA funded project rather than being a project team member. Whilst attendance to WIHEA events is also expected, inevitably their will be clashes in terms of availability. However, when being nominated or applying for Fellowship, we strongly recommend you realistically consider and discuss with your Head of Department/Service, the level and types of activities you would like to get involved with and how much time you are able to commit over the duration of a Fellowship. The nomination/application form asks for a commitment from the nominee/applicant that they will make time for the role alongside their other commitments and the Head of Department/Service support is required. A series of interviews with Fellows will shortly be available to help with further insight on the different activities that Fellows are involved in and do reach out to current Fellows in you department/service to ask about their experiences.
Further information available:
For an insight into WIHEA activities, achievements and Fellows reflections on their Fellowship – see our Annual Reports
How to become a WIHEA Fellow – WIHEA Fellows Selection Process