CPD Events

Session Aim

Creating an inclusive and engaging online learning experience – what have we learned so far that can guide our future practice.

Session Objectives

• To explore the importance of inclusion within HE, with a particular focus on online learning
• To hear about Ulster partnership approaches to addressing this agenda
• To set the scene by listening to multiple voices and perspectives

Session Speakers

• Wider sector perspectives - Dr Kay Hack (Advance HE)
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Our students' perspective - Nicole Parkinson-Kelly Shauna Murphy (UUSU)
• Ulster's Institutional perspective - Professor Colin Turner (Interim Dean of Learning Enhancement)
• Student Wellbeing: A strategy for inclusion - Ann Hart-Henderson (Student Wellbeing).

Session Aim

This timely pair of workshops will enable staff to explore techniques and tools for supporting their own wellbeing and that of their students in these troubled and challenging months.

Part 1 overview – Supporting Staff Wellbeing

It has been a stressful period for all of us over the past months so it is appropriate as we enter what is normally a period of reflection and celebration to share a gift. This first session of the pair focuses on the staff perspective in addressing wellbeing. The tools and techniques we will explore in this practical session form part of that gift offering.

In delivering this session I am very mindful that UU is a civic university and community, inclusion and empowerment sit at the heart of what we do here at Ulster. It is also worth reflecting that as individuals, as staff, we cannot enable others effectively without also caring for our own health and wellbeing in our lives and work.

This session therefore explores:

A gift of simple techniques you can apply quickly and easily to care for yourself and create space to recharge yourselves in times of stress;

• How to engage with ‘agency’ as HE practitioners using the simple idea of ‘Me PLC'.
• Some ideas for adopting the above in our pedagogy and practice.
• And finally, I will share some resources for you to explore and adopt if you choose over the coming months.

Facilitator

Visiting Professor Dr Ruth Pilkington (PFHEA, NTF, SFSEDA)

Part 2 overview – Embedding wellbeing in the Curriculum

Students are adjusting to COVID related life pressures including their new student experience of online, socially distanced delivery of their curriculum. Following on from Prof. Ruth Pilkington’s work with staff, this input helps staff appreciate why promoting student wellbeing and mental health is essential and particularly relevant at this time and how wellbeing and mental health impacts students’ availability to learn, their engagement, retention and academic outcomes.

We profile the wellbeing support needs of our increasingly diverse student community at Ulster and consider what can we do to embed wellbeing in our curriculum delivery and where and when we deliver an inclusive curriculum this ensures we are providing a relevant, contemporary and innovative curriculum.

Facilitator

Ann Hart-Henderson, Ulster’s Student Wellbeing Manager.

Target Audience

Any interested Ulster staff and students

Session Aim

This session is designed to start the critically important conversation around how we can develop approaches that decolonise the curricula. Key inputs will be complemented with staff and student experiences and opportunities for discussion about how to take this project forward.

Session Objectives

• To provide an overview of approaches to decolonising the curriculum
• To share snapshots of staff practice and student experience
• To contribute to how we plan to take this project forward

Facilitator

Dr Sarah Floyd (CHERP)

Target Audience

Any interested Ulster staff and students

Session Aim

This session focuses on how we can develop accessible content and practices. Key inputs will be complemented with staff and student experiences and opportunities for discussion.

Session Objectives

• To provide an overview of the Accessibility Agenda
• To outline practical support
• To share snapshots of staff practice and student experience

Facilitator

Clare Thomson (ODL) and Ryan Bowes (Student Wellbeing Team)

Target Audience

Any interested Ulster staff and students

Session Aim

This session focuses on how we can deliver more inclusive curricula. Key inputs will be complemented with staff and student experiences and opportunities for discussion.

Session Objectives

• To provide an overview of effective approaches
• To share snapshots of staff practice and student experience

Facilitator

Ann Hart-Henderson (Student wellbeing) Colette Murphy (CHERP)

Target Audience

Any interested Ulster staff

Session Aim

This session focuses on how we can design more inclusive curricula. Key inputs will be complemented with staff and student experiences and opportunities for discussion.

Session Objectives

• Accessing the ‘Universal Design for Learning’ Framework
• Designing inclusive assessment for learning
• Sharing snapshots of staff practice and student experience

Facilitator

Colette Murphy (CHERP)

Target Audience

Any interested Ulster staff and students