CIHE Annual Conference 2024: Moving into Pedagogic Research

The Centre for Innovation in Higher Education (CIHE) held its national pedagogic research conference, on the theme of Moving into Pedagogic Research, which took place on ARU’s Cambridge campus on Thursday 11 July 2024.

The conference was attended by 100 delegates from ARU and other UK and overseas HEIs. There were 26 presentations, including eight external, six workshops and five posters. We were delighted that delegates from ARU and other UK and international institutions joined us, underscoring the significance of this event within the pedagogic research community.

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote address on "Pedagogic Research: A Catalyst for Educational Change" by Dr Becky Turner from the University of Plymouth. Becky’s valuable insights provided a thought-provoking and inspiring start to the conference.

We were also pleased to welcome both national and international speakers to the conference. One of our international presenters, Vienne Lin from the Chinese University in Hong Kong, recorded her presentation and joined us via video conference from Hong Kong for the Q&A session. 

Feedback has been positive. One delegate wrote: 'I really enjoyed attending the inaugural CIHE conference. The Conference provided me with an excellent opportunity to learn about innovative pedagogic research and practice both within ARU and beyond. The thought-provoking sessions helped me consider my own work and pedagogic research. Through networking activities at the Conference, I have developed future collaborative opportunities for my pedagogic research.'

This conference plays a pivotal part in the rapid expansion of pedagogic research in higher education and CIHE was honoured to facilitate it. Following its success, it has been agreed to run the conference annually.

Keynote

Our keynote was Becky Turner, an Associate Professor in Educational Development based at the University of Plymouth, and a Principal Fellow of the HEA. She discussed Pedagogic research: a catalyst for educational change at the conference.

At Plymouth, Becky provides teaching development for staff working across the university, from PhD students taking their first steps into teaching to established lecturers seeking recognition for their contributions to learning, teaching and student support.

She is an active researcher, undertaking work at Plymouth on agendas such as curriculum enhancement, inclusive practice and student voice. Her research is designed to provide an evidence base to inform pedagogic change and innovation. Through this, Becky uses pedagogic research to provide a platform for groups who may be overlooked or underrepresented within the wider university community.

Beyond Plymouth, Becky has undertaken several nationally funded projects focused on student unions, learning gain and impact evaluation.

Take a look at the recordings below:

Outline programme

See the outline programme below, or download the programme:

9.30-10am Coffee and Arrival.

10-10.30am Welcome and PVC Address: Simon Pratt-Adams and Claire Pike (ARU).

10.30-11.30am Keynote: Pedagogic Research: A catalyst for educational change, Becky Turner (University of Plymouth).

11.30-11.45am Break.

11.45am-12.45pm Parallel Session 1:

• Paper 1a Teacher Educators' Innovativeness and their Pedagogical Digital Competence, Barbara Waloszek (University of Stavanger);
• Paper 1b The Evolving Concept of Educational Development: A scoping review Elena Benini (University of Trento).
• Paper 2a The Power of AI: Evaluating an AI chatbot for medical education simulation, Oscar Oglini (Mid & South Essex Trust);
• Paper 2b Enhancing Pedagogic Research: Evaluating AI-Supported Thematic Analysis for Nuanced Insights: A comparative qualitative study, Siân Shaw (ARU).
• Paper 3a What the 'F' do we do with the 'H'?: The role of FE Colleges in the future of English HE, Gabe Manthorp (Newham College London);
• Paper 3b How to Explore Creativity in 21st Century HE? Thinking with Barad’s agential realism, David Jay (ARU).
• Paper 4a Co-creating Value in Higher Education is fine, but value for who? Austin Brown (ARU);
• Paper 4b Students as Producers and Researchers: An exploration of practice in Ruskin Modules, Uwe Richter and Mark Warnes (ARU).
• Paper 5a Facilitating Doctoral Student Independence through Supervision as Pedagogical Dialogue, Gina Wisker (University of Bath);
• Paper 5b Collaborative Pedagogic Research as a Bridge between PGT and PGR Programmes, Veronique Chance, Sarah Strachan and Ayeshah Zolghadr (ARU).
• Workshop 6 Playing with Playmobil: Supporting student learning and employability, John Parkin (ARU).
• Workshop 7 Utilising Creative Methods of Qualitative Data Collection to Develop Pedagogical Research, Judith Cork and Matthew Timmis (ARU).

12.45-1.45pm Lunch.

1:45-2pm Parallel Session 2:

• Paper 8a AI and Assessment in Higher Education: A perspective for instructors, Daniele Agostini (University of Trento);
• Paper 8b Generative AI in Learning, Teaching, and Assessment, George Evangelinos, Michelle Hawkins and Lindsay Constable (ARU).
• Paper 9a From Neuroscience to Pedagogic Research: Our journey, Stephanie Baines and Pauldy Otermans (Brunel University London);
• Paper 9b Opportunities and Challenges to Engender Change in Pedagogic Research Engagement: A case in Hong Kong Higher Education, Vienne Lin and Paul Lam (Chinese University of Hong Kong).
• Paper 10a Redefining Nursing Education: How does simulated practice learning shape student and academic supervisor experiences? A case study, Siân Shaw (ARU);
• Paper 10b A Presentation on the Five Key Findings: How do social work students develop skills by using practice-based virtual reality (VR) simulation? Vanessa Ferguson (ARU).
• Paper 11a Pedagogical Approaches to the Green Skills Gap, Sarah Strachan and Alison Greig (ARU);
• Paper 11b Shaky Starts: The impact of late engaging students, Cliona O Dunlaing, Marty Chambers, Jimena Vasquez (University of Essex) and Nick Pugh (ARU).
• Workshop 12 Harnessing Creativity and Video in Education: Exploring innovative pedagogical strategies to enhance teaching and learning, Hassiba Fadli (ARU).
• Workshop 13 Using Logic Chains and Theory of Change for Pedagogical Research and Evaluation, Liz Thomas (University of York).

2.45-3pm Break.

3-4pm Parallel Session 3:

• Paper 14a Enhancing Learner Awareness of Marking Criteria for Increased Achievement in Practical Drama Modules, Naz Yeni (ARU);
• Paper 14b Supporting Reflective Thinking and Learning, Barbara Vohmann (ARU) 
• Paper 15a Beauty and Education, Beatriz Acevedo (ARU);
• Paper 15b Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning: Integrating creativity and video education in higher education, Hassiba Fadli (ARU).
• Paper 16a Integrating Innovative Technologies and Pedagogies in UK Higher Education: Enhancing cognitive skills, inclusivity, and problem-solving abilities, Boguslawa Lightbody (ARU);
• Paper 16b Transforming Transformation in Environmental Sustainability Education, Elsa Lee and Olivia Wohlfart (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology).
• Paper 17a Investigating Nursing Students' Experiences in Simulated Practice Learning and Academic Staff's Role as Practice Supervisors, Naim Abdulmohdi and Louise Prothero (ARU);
• Paper 17b How do Social Work Students Develop Skills by using Practice-Based Virtual Reality (VR) Simulation? Vanessa Ferguson (ARU).
• Paper 18a Close-to-Research, Close-to-Practice or not Close at all? Exploring the role of HE in developing pedagogy, Phil Kirkman (ARU);
• Paper 18b Researching Spatial Fluency using PhotoVoice and Life in a Day methods, Andrew Middleton, Birgit Fraser, Nic Collenette and Sarah Elsegood (ARU).
• Workshop 19 The Theory of Change: A ChangeBusters workshop, Denise Hawkes, Bilal Hazzouri and Hoi Lei Chan (ARU).
• Workshop 20 Repurposing a Sand Tray Play Therapy Technique as a Creative Pedagogical Tool to Reflect on Practice in Social Work, or on any Higher Education Subject that requires Reflexive Contemplation! Deborah Amas (ARU).

4-4.40pm Closing plenary, Simon Pratt-Adams (ARU).

Posters

Ethnic Disparities in Completion and Awarding: A Focus on Physical and Forensic Sciences in UK Higher Education, Kirsty Barron and Lata Gautam (ARU).

The Future of Disabled Student Provision in Higher Education: From disability to diversity, Lisa Cooper (ARU).