In this episode of Talking Transformation, Professor Sarah Williams discusses her experience at Buckinghamshire New University when under scrutiny from the Office for Students. She discusses the importance of transparent communication with regulators, describing openness and humility as essential for constructive engagement.

Reflecting on institutional culture, she advocates for sector-wide transparency, arguing that openly sharing challenges and not just successes, enables collective growth. The conversation highlights how regulatory challenges can become transformative opportunities when approached with honesty and collaborative spirit.

Episode 6: Leading through regulatory scrutiny

This episode features host Dr Elliott Spaeth from Advance HE discussing compassionate pedagogy with Dr Claire Killingback (University of Hull) and Rosie Jones (Teesside University). 

They explore what compassion means in higher education: recognising student distress, responding proactively, supporting wellbeing, and seeing students as whole people. The conversation addresses pushback against compassion from staff worried about workload and boundaries, and discusses how institutions can embed compassion into policies and processes.

 Key themes include the importance of listening, avoiding rigid boundaries whilst maintaining professional roles, co-creating supportive frameworks with students, and extending compassion to staff as well as students.

Episode 5: Compassionate learning and teaching

This episode of Talking Transformation explores future-facing curricula in higher education, featuring Advance HE's Professor Mark O'Hara with Professor Beverly Hawkins from the University of Exeter, Dr Samantha Burvill of Swansea University and Associate Professor Chris McInerney from the University of Limerick. 

They discuss preparing students for rapidly changing work environments through both updated content and innovative teaching methods. Key themes include developing transferable skills (critical thinking, collaboration, creativity), embedding sustainability and ethics, promoting interdisciplinary learning and bridging academic-vocational divides. The panellists emphasise building "change-capable" students with growth mindsets rather than predicting specific future needs. 

Success measures should focus on student development journeys and stakeholder engagement rather than just degree outcomes. The conversation highlights ongoing curriculum transformation efforts across UK and Irish institutions.

Episode 4: Future-facing curricula

Dr Christopher D. Lewis is Associate Dean (Education) and Associate Professor (Educational Leadership) at Buckinghamshire New Universityand Hayley Burns, Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales explore strategic leadership development within higher education.

Both reflect on their journeys through Advance HE’s Strategic Leadership Programme, emphasising balance between strategic and operational priorities, authenticity and confidence amid rapid sectoral change. Christopher highlights learning to lead calmly, building peer networks and confronting imposter syndrome, while Hayley discusses navigating dual academic–professional identities, cultural adaptation and the value of “third-space” leadership.

Together they champion reflective, courageous and collaborative leadership as essential to sustaining quality and transformation in universities.

Episode 3: Developing reflective and courageous leadership

In this episode, host Charles Knight is joined by new Advance HE CEO, Alistair Jarvis and incoming Dean of Birmingham City University Business School, Leanne de Main to explore leadership and transformation in higher education as we navigate this time of rapid change.

Alistair discusses a number of challenges affecting higher education institutions including funding pressures, geopolitical uncertainty and expanding leadership portfolios. 

Leanne then shares her experience implementing block teaching models, highlighting the importance of moving quickly with change, addressing "imagined barriers," and preventing regression through structural reforms.

Episode 2: The challenges facing leaders in higher education today

In the first episode of the new series, host Charles Knight, Director, Leadership, Governance & Management at Advance HE is joined by Fiona Lennoxsmith, Head of Leadership, Governance & Management, James Dunphy, former Director, Educational Excellence and David Bass, Director of EDI to discuss the work going on in their areas of expertise over the next few months.

They discuss the relevance and importance of the work we're doing, along with how you can get involved and engage with some of the events taking place over the coming weeks.

Episode 1: What to expect in 2025/26

In this episode of the "Let's Talk About Student Success" podcast, host Stuart Norton is joined by Bev Herring and Fay Short, co-chairs of the Medr Employability Community of Practice. In this season finale, they reflect on the collaborative, pan-Wales initiative that has brought together every higher education provider to tackle pressing questions around student employability, and Stuart also reveals the most popular biscuit in higher education today.

Episode 9: Employability

This month Louise and the team discuss Fellowship advocacy, and the vital part of the application process which is the Supporting Statement.

They look at what makes a good Supporting Statement, and the impact your advocate can have on your application.

Advocacy and Supporting Statements

This month, host Stuart Norton is joined by Tom Lowe from the University of Westminster, Dr David Gilani from Middlesex University, Inca Hide-Wright from Warwick Students' Union and co-host Vic Stephenson to talk about Student Engagement.

They discuss the best ways to measure engagement, the importance of adapting to your institutional context, and of course their top tip for academics looking to develop their practice on student engagement.

There is also a controversial entrant to the Edu-biscuit section, let us know in the comments if it deserves a place on the leaderboard!

Episode 8: Student Engagement

In this episode Louise and the team discuss Associate Fellowship, which aligns to Descriptor 1 of the Professional Standards Framework. This category can be applicable to a wide range of job roles and experience, including student teachers and professional service staff, as long as, as with the other categories, you can demonstrate the impact of your teaching. 

They touch on who the category is suitable for, what a successful application looks like and top tips for those thinking of applying.

Associate Fellowship/Descriptor 1

A brand new Advance HE podcast, where we'll discuss all things transformation at time when change is the new normal in higher education.

Our experts across educational excellence, leadership and governance and equality, diversity and inclusion will be joined by special guests from across the sector to help you and your institution navigate change, now and into the future.

Talking Transformation

Join host Stuart Norton PFHEA and our rotating cast of Advance HE education experts as they guide these enlightening conversations. 

From academic excellence to student wellbeing, we explore the full spectrum of student success through relaxed, engaging discussions with experts from across the higher education sector.

Let's talk about student success

Podcast from Advance HE discussing the Fellowship scheme, a globally recognised mark of teaching excellence.

We will discuss the benefits of the scheme, application tips, and welcome special guests to share their journey to achieving Fellowship.

If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with us via email at podcasts@advance-he.ac.uk.

Advance HE

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