Our commitment to educator development

Educator development is a priority for us. We want to make it easy for you to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence in teaching, learning and assessment and to have current and relevant information to support you in your practice. We have developed the Educator Development Framework (EDF) to structure your development.

The framework is informed by five core areas of practice that have been identified by our educators and are informed by the Professional Values, Core Knowledge and Areas of Activity of the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework. Engaging with the EDF will support development of effective and inclusive practice, as well as collaboration and digital confidence.

Look at the sections below to find out more about the five core areas of education practice in the EDF and see what support and resources are available.

Developing your education practice

This core area of the EDF focuses on identifying activities that can support development of your teaching practice specifically:

designing and planning learning
teaching and/or supporting learning
assessment and feedback
support and guide learners
ways for you to enhance your practice

Engaging with this core area of the EDF will also support you with your Pathways to Fellowship as these themes correspond to the Professional Standards Framework Areas of Activity.

Explore further:

Educator support and resources

CADENZA Pathways to Fellowship

Role-specific career stage support

This core area of the EDF has your context and role in mind, providing more focused pathways for you to enhance your practice. Maybe you are an Assistant Lecturer, or personal tutor or PGR Supervisor - you may be a Technician or a Librarian. Whatever your role in teaching and/or supporting learning you can explore the development opportunities here:

Educator support resources

Awards and recognition

This core area of the EDF is all about recognising excellence in teaching practice and offers an exciting way to share and collaborate with your peers. Explore the education awards.

Disseminating your practice

This core area of the EDF reinforces elements of the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework, supporting collaboration and scholarship. Here is an opportunity to bring your experience, challenges and successes to the attention of your peers and debate, discuss and develop current themes in the global higher education sector. To explore how you can take part have a look at the following resources:

Education Exchange Network take part in a selection of regular panel and discussion activities with colleagues.

Good Practice Case Studies from your colleagues here at Essex, sharing their innovative practice.

Peer Mentoring Database informal opportunities to network with colleagues, share, reflect and feedback.

Access funding opportunities to develop your practice

This core area highlights the opportunities available to enhance your practice through your own continuing professional development, whether that be intellectual or personal development. This can be actively supported through the waiving of tuition fees for specific courses.

Take a look at the Employee Tuition Fee Waiver information and find out how to apply.