Who we are

The Academic Development Centre (ADC) is a transformative academic department at The University of Warwick dedicated to enhancing higher education through scholarship and collaborative practice. Our team of specialists works to support and inspire educators, lead institutional initiatives, and contribute to the evolving landscape of higher education.

Our mission

To advance excellence in higher education at Warwick and beyond through innovative, collaborative, and evidence-informed approaches that inspire transformative learning experiences.

Our Vision

We envision Warwick as a global leader in higher education, where every educator is empowered to deliver exceptional, inclusive, and innovative learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in and shape the world of tomorrow.

What we do

As an academic department focused on higher education, ADC is engaged in a wide range of scholarly and educational practices. We:

• Lead strategic initiatives to enhance learning and teaching across the university;
• Offer professional development through accredited programmes, courses, and consultancy;
• Facilitate innovation in curriculum design, assessment, and educational technology;
• Promote inclusive and learner-centred educational approaches;
• Recognise and celebrate teaching excellence;
• Support educators in scholarship, leadership, and career progression;
• Contribute to institutional policy and national higher education dialogues.

Our work spans from individual collaborations to university-wide projects, always grounded in rigorous scholarship and expertise in higher education.

Our values

Our approach to enhancing higher education is grounded in these fundamental values:

• Intellectual curiosity: cultivating a spirit of enquiry to deepen our understanding of effective learning and teaching.
• Transformative equity: actively dismantling barriers and creating opportunities for equal participation and success in higher education, for both staff and students.
• Purposeful innovation: challenging conventions to enhance educational experiences through creative solutions.
• Professional integrity: upholding rigorous standards by blending academic insight with practical expertise.
• Adaptive excellence: embracing ongoing growth to meet evolving educational challenges, both in our practice and support for colleagues.
• Catalytic impact: driving positive change in higher education at individual, institutional, and sector-wide levels.
• Constructive inquiry: fostering evidence-based enhancement through thoughtful examination of educational practices.
• Collaborative ethos: partnering with colleagues to co-create transformative learning experiences.