Page 3 - STAR_Participant's_Handbook
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Introduction
Welcome to the STAR Framework - your path to professional recognition for teaching
If you have a role in teaching or supporting learning at Imperial, the STAR framework will enable you to have
this experience recognised. The Framework is approved by the Higher Education Academy and successful
participation in STAR will allow you to gain fellowship of the HEA. This professional recognition is accepted
across Higher Education in the UK and is increasingly acknowledged by international institutions.
Participation in STAR voluntary and is free to all those who teach and support College students. It is open to
academic staff, clinical teachers, support staff and graduate teaching assistants. The Framework supports a
flexible approach that allows you to count all your relevant experience and training towards your fellowship
application. This handbook tells you about the levels of fellowship, why and how to gain fellowship and how
College provides support for you to do it.
What does professional recognition mean?
Imperial College provides a range of professional development opportunities for those staff with a role in
teaching and learning. This provision is offered both centrally (through units including the EDU, LDC and
Graduate School) and at Faculty level. The Higher Education Academy (HEA) is the national body for learning
and teaching in higher education. In August 2014, the Higher Education Academy accredited Imperial’s STAR
Framework, enabling staff who participate in either the taught or flexible STAR pathways to gain
professional recognition in terms of fellowship of the HEA.
Depending on your level of experience, you can apply to become an Associate Fellow, Fellow, Senior Fellow
or Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Benefits to gaining recognition as an Academy Fellow:
• It provides national recognition of your commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning in
higher education;
• It demonstrates that your practice is aligned with sector expectations and standards (UKPSF);
• It is a portable asset that has UK-wide relevance and which is increasingly recognised by higher and
further education institutions.
How do I find out more?
Talk to colleagues who are involved in teaching and learning and have a look at the information on the STAR
website (www.imperial.ac.uk/star-framework)
The EDU organise STAR Introductory Workshops which run several times a year, to:
• Introduce participants to the UKPSF framework
• Outline recognition requirements
• Guide your selection of a relevant Descriptor
• Establish a buddy/mentoring scheme amongst participants to support your progress towards
successful accreditation
We strongly advise that all those interested in participating in the STAR framework attend the ‘Introduction
to the STAR Framework’ workshop as this provides a solid base from which to begin your application.
If you want to attend one of the workshops, you can find more and sign up here:
www.imperial.ac.uk/edudev/workshops/star-framework/introductory
3
Welcome to the STAR Framework - your path to professional recognition for teaching
If you have a role in teaching or supporting learning at Imperial, the STAR framework will enable you to have
this experience recognised. The Framework is approved by the Higher Education Academy and successful
participation in STAR will allow you to gain fellowship of the HEA. This professional recognition is accepted
across Higher Education in the UK and is increasingly acknowledged by international institutions.
Participation in STAR voluntary and is free to all those who teach and support College students. It is open to
academic staff, clinical teachers, support staff and graduate teaching assistants. The Framework supports a
flexible approach that allows you to count all your relevant experience and training towards your fellowship
application. This handbook tells you about the levels of fellowship, why and how to gain fellowship and how
College provides support for you to do it.
What does professional recognition mean?
Imperial College provides a range of professional development opportunities for those staff with a role in
teaching and learning. This provision is offered both centrally (through units including the EDU, LDC and
Graduate School) and at Faculty level. The Higher Education Academy (HEA) is the national body for learning
and teaching in higher education. In August 2014, the Higher Education Academy accredited Imperial’s STAR
Framework, enabling staff who participate in either the taught or flexible STAR pathways to gain
professional recognition in terms of fellowship of the HEA.
Depending on your level of experience, you can apply to become an Associate Fellow, Fellow, Senior Fellow
or Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Benefits to gaining recognition as an Academy Fellow:
• It provides national recognition of your commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning in
higher education;
• It demonstrates that your practice is aligned with sector expectations and standards (UKPSF);
• It is a portable asset that has UK-wide relevance and which is increasingly recognised by higher and
further education institutions.
How do I find out more?
Talk to colleagues who are involved in teaching and learning and have a look at the information on the STAR
website (www.imperial.ac.uk/star-framework)
The EDU organise STAR Introductory Workshops which run several times a year, to:
• Introduce participants to the UKPSF framework
• Outline recognition requirements
• Guide your selection of a relevant Descriptor
• Establish a buddy/mentoring scheme amongst participants to support your progress towards
successful accreditation
We strongly advise that all those interested in participating in the STAR framework attend the ‘Introduction
to the STAR Framework’ workshop as this provides a solid base from which to begin your application.
If you want to attend one of the workshops, you can find more and sign up here:
www.imperial.ac.uk/edudev/workshops/star-framework/introductory
3
