Research Inspired Teaching Excellence (RITE) Programme
Aston University’s HEA accredited professional development recognition scheme.
The RITE programme enables Aston University staff to apply for and gain professional recognition at four different levels.
The HEA have launched a Fellowship category tool, to assist you in selecting the category of Fellowship which is most suitable.
Associate fellowship level is appropriate for those members of staff who are involved with teaching but do not yet engage with the full range of learning and teaching responsibilities in higher education. For example, a graduate teaching assistant who delivers seminars, marks provides feedback on work but does not plan learning events or design programmes.
The fellowship level is particularly suitable for early career academics (such as Lecturers), academic-related staff, support staff holding substantive teaching and learning responsibilities and experienced academics relatively new to UK higher education. Also for staff with (sometimes significant) teaching-only responsibilities including, for example, within Aston’s work-based learning provision.
Typically those working at a Senior Fellow level are experienced staff (such as Senior Lecturer or Reader) able to demonstrate, impact and influence through, for example, responsibility for leading, managing or organising programmes, subjects and/or disciplinary areas. Importantly, Senior Fellows will be able to demonstrate mentoring, supporting and/or supervising other members of staff in relation to learning and teaching.
Principal fellows are able to demonstrate a sustained and effective record of impact at strategic level. This can be in an institutional, national and/or international setting. Principal fellows are typically highly experienced and/or senior staff (such as Reader or Professor) who have strategic impact and influence in relation to teaching and learning that can extend beyond their own institution. They are often responsible for institutional strategic leadership and policymaking in the area of teaching and learning.
To join the RITE programme you will need to register your interest by emailing Marika Allam and confirming the following:
- Level of fellowship
- The deadline date you will be submitting your application.
Registering your interest will:
- provide you with access to the Blackboad module where all the resources (application forms, guidance notes, successful exemplats etc.) for completing applications are held
- arrange an initial (optional) meeting with a member of CLIPP staff and/or RITE mentor to help you start the application process
Other important information:
Promotion criteria
The levels of fellowship are now mapped to different levels of promotion and can be used as evidence in support of the following:
- Fellowship: Senior Lecturer
- Senior Fellowship: Senior Lecturer/Readership
- Principal Fellowship: Professor
See Appendix B and E of the academic promotions criteria.
Submission deadlines:
- 10th January (2020) by 12 noon
- 1st May (2020) by 12 noon
- 4th September (2020) by 12 noon
Please be aware that the next submission deadline is Friday 3rd May 2019 by 12 noon, prior to submitting your RITE application you will need to register your interest and clearly state which level which you intend to apply for. To register, please email Marika Allam
The Higher Education Academy (HEA) professional learning and staff development opportunities:
The HEA have developed a series of workshops dedicated to the professional development and lifelong learning of all staff involved in Higher Education.
- New to Teaching in Higher Education
- Growing your skills in Higher Education Learning and Teaching
- Teaching and New to Programme Leadership.
To find out more about the workshops on offer pleaseclick hereand you will be taken to the Professional Learning and Development Opportunities website
Further HEA resources, please click here.