How can universities ensure that staff development in teaching and learning is both meaningful and impactful? The STAFF-DEV project examines this question, revealing key insights into best practices and challenges across European institutions. With contributions from Zentrum für Wissenschaftsdidaktik as part of STAFF-DEV, the study highlights strategies for fostering a culture of educational excellence.
Staff development in teaching and learning has become a critical component of higher education reform across Europe. The recently published STAFF-DEV focus group report provides insights into how institutions approach staff development and the challenges they face. This study highlights key topics in institutionalizing staff development and fostering a culture of teaching excellence.
This is the second study conducted by the STAFF-DEV project, following an earlier survey and offers additional in-depth insights into the topic of teaching related staff development in 16 higher education institutions across 10 European countries.
Key Insights from the second STAFF-DEV Study
The STAFF-DEV study identifies four overarching topics that needs to be solved for successful staff development:
- Institutionalization of Staff Development – Many institutions are embedding staff development in their strategic frameworks, linking participation to promotion and research opportunities. However, tensions exist between mandatory and voluntary participation and between responding to staff needs versus aligning with institutional or national standards.
- From a 'Tick-Box' Climate to a Culture of Teaching and Learning – Some of the participants expressed concerns that staff development is sometimes seen as a formal requirement rather than a genuine opportunity for growth. The challenge is to foster an environment where development is valued for its intrinsic benefits rather than just as a career advancement tool.
- The Role of Relationships in Staff Development – Strong peer networks and institutional support play a significant role in engagement with staff development. When staff feel supported and connected through learning communities, they are more likely to integrate new pedagogical practices into their teaching.
- Barriers to Engagement – The most common barriers include time constraints and the instability of support. When institutions fail to allocate sufficient time or resources to staff development, participation suffers, leading to a disconnect between strategic priorities and actual practice.
Join the Second STAFF-DEV Masterclass: Advanced staff development - fostering educational leadership and scholarship
For those looking to further engage with the latest in staff development and educational leadership, the European University Association (EUA) is currently accepting registrations for its second Advanced Staff Development Masterclass. This Masterclass is also organized by the STAFF-DEV project and aims to equip higher education professionals with the tools to lead institutional change in teaching and learning.
To learn more and register, visit: EUA Masterclass.
By participating in initiatives like the EUA Masterclass and engaging with institutions such as us as ZfW, educators and academic leaders can play a crucial role in designing future staff development and enhance teaching quality in higher education.
How the Zentrum für Wissenschaftsdidaktik shapes the Future of teaching related Staff Development at RUB
The findings of the STAFF-DEV study resonate strongly with the mission and activities of the ZfW. Some examples of these ware:
Alignment with Institutional Strategies – Just as the study suggests the importance of integrating staff development into institutional goals, the ZfW actively works with faculty and educators to align teaching practices with the university's broader educational vision.
Building Teaching Communities – The emphasis on relationship-building in the study aligns with the ZfW’s approach of fostering collaborative networks through workshops, peer mentoring also for students, and interdisciplinary exchange.
Recognition of Pedagogical Research – The study found that staff engaged in development programs were more likely to conduct and disseminate pedagogical research. The ZfW encourages such engagement not only by offering the opportunity to obtain certificates.
More about the STAFF-DEV project
The EU-funded ‘Staff development for learning and teaching at European universities’ (STAFF-DEV) project aims to map and analyse how staff development is implemented at European HEIs, how it is embedded into institutional and national strategies for learning and teaching and academic assessment, and what HEIs and national- and system-level stakeholders could learn from each other in this regard. The project will contribute to a knowledge base on staff development, as well as capacity building in learning and teaching, benefitting HEIs at different stages of developing their support and strategic approaches on learning and teaching and academic assessment
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