University of Buckingham Academic is awarded HEA’s 50,000th Fellowship

Dr Shelly Kemp has become the 50,000^th Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), which awards Fellowships to learning and teaching professionals.

Dr Kemp, who delivers the core module Biological Psychology, has been awarded the title of Associate Fellow.

The HEA supports the development of staff in higher education teaching and provides a means to benchmark teaching within HE.

Dr Kemp, who was delighted to be awarded, said: “To become the HEA’s 50,000th Fellow was a complete surprise and I’m really delighted.”

To gain her Fellowship Dr Kemp did a course accredited by the HEA. “The process of becoming a Fellow made me realise that teaching doesn’t always come naturally, that it should be evidence-based. I’ve definitely become more aware of equality and diversity in learning and teaching and I know from the feedback I’ve got from students that it’s vital to understand how to engage all students and it’s good to know that you’re having a positive impact on students. Having a focus to the reflection of my teaching has greatly benefitted both me and my students.

“I’m committed to working towards Senior Fellowship. Many of my colleagues at the University are also working towards Fellowships at the right level for them, and we are working together to learn from each other. We care about our students’ learning and by gaining Fellowship of the HEA we can show them that as individual teachers, and as an institution, we are determined to provide the best learning experience we can.”

Professor Stephanie Marshall, Chief Executive of the HEA, said: “Dr Kemp embodies the commitment, passion and innovation of all our Fellows and her dedication to students and their learning is clear.”