WIHEA Fellowship

WIHEA is one of the Warwick Education Academy's (WEA) areas of work, sitting within its wider structure and sharing its resource and infrastructure while retaining its own community-led governance. Fellows are the connective tissue between the two: bringing grassroots insight from Learning Circles, projects and consultation into the WEA's strategic work, and carrying WEA priorities back out into departmental practice. Fellows may also contribute directly to other areas of WEA's work, where WIHEA's evidence base and community reach complement the WEA's own expertise.

On the basis of a proven record of achievement in learning and teaching, academic staff, professional service staff and students can become Fellows of WIHEA and take on a role of influence and leadership within the wider institution.

From an initial cohort of 41 ‘Foundation’ Fellows, who were integral to supporting the inception of WIHEA and enabled it to quickly become an established part of the infrastructure for learning and teaching, WIHEA continues to recruit on average 25 Fellows each year. WIHEA currently has 86 FellowsLink opens in a new window. This includes 16 Ex-officio Fellowships, which are offered to the holders of specific institutional roles that are key to supporting WIHEA’s strategic aims. Currently, seven of these roles are Student Union Officers.

To enable Foundation Fellows and all other Fellows to remain part of the WIHEA community at the end of their Fellowship term, the Alumni Fellowship was introduced in August 2018. Fellows automatically become Alumni at the end of their term unless leaving the institution. WIHEA currently has 172 AlumniLink opens in a new window, whose knowledge and experience continues to support its activities.

What is the role of a Fellow?

Fellowships are of great benefit to the individual Fellows, their departments or professional service and the wider university community. Staff Fellows commit to the role and making an institutional contribution to learning and teaching at Warwick for three years, whilst Student Fellows commit to the role for one year.

Fellows take on institutional or Faculty roles that embed good practice in learning and teaching across the University. This can take many forms. Staff and Student Fellows can lead or take part in exchanges, projects, learning circles, proposing teaching and learning policy or develop new academic practice that enhance the student experience and student outcomes. They also take part in the formal governance of the University of Warwick, for instance by joining committees, sub committees and working groups and have a role in disseminating and championing the wider work of WIHEA across their Department, Service or Networks.

Fellows will be able to develop expertise in areas of interest to them and seek to develop influence within the institution to enhance practice and policy. They will also have the opportunity to inform our strategic and practical thinking on learning and teaching at Warwick, as and when new challenges or ambitions arise.

To better understand the role and the types of activities staff and student Fellows take on, browse through our Annual Reports, which provide an overview of the collective work that has took place over each academic year and Fellows who are approaching the end of their Fellowship share their individual achievements, experiences and reflections, they also make suggestions for anyone considering becoming a Fellow. For a further insight please also browse through our Fellows profiles, which contain insights into the topics and activities Fellows are planning to or currently involved with.

What is expected of me as a Fellow?

It is anticipated that WIHEA Staff Fellows already have FHEA or SFHEA recognition, but where this is not the case, support will be available to achieve this recognition in the first year of the Fellowship.
We expect Fellows to attend and contribute to our regular Fellow Networking Lunches (approximately every six weeks).
Fellows are expected to be actively involved in governance, development activities, networks and think tanks that set the tone and develop the direction of learning and teaching at Warwick and/or WIHEA itself. This can be in a leadership role or by contributing as a member/attendee.
Fellows are also expected to be a member of at least one WIHEA Learning Circle. There are also opportunities to shadow and/or co-lead Learning Circles.
In addition to perhaps being a member of a Warwick committee, subcommittee and/or working/action group (as opportunities allow), we would expect Fellows to have either a leading role or be a member of a learning and teaching-funded project or assist in a consultancy capacity to support the strategic direction of learning and teaching at Warwick.
Fellows are expected to act as an ambassador for WIHEA and champion education enhancements in their Department/Service, the University and the wider HE Sector.

The level of engagement can differ between Fellows, dependent on what capacity and time each individual is able to make alongside their institutional role or studies. For example, leading a Learning Circle (arranging meetings, planning and co-ordinating tasks/contributions from members, keeping members up to date with progress, etc.) will require additional time commitment to being a member (attending meetings/contributing to research/information gathering/presenting), as would leading a WIHEA funded project rather than being a project team member.

Whilst attendance to WIHEA events is also expected, inevitably their will be clashes in terms of availability. However, when applying for Fellowship, we strongly recommend you consider the above expectations, and that staff discuss with your Head of Department/Service (students discuss with your Tutor), the level and types of activities you would like to get involved with and determine much time you are able to commit over the duration of a Fellowship.

The Fellowship Application Form asks for a realistic commitment from the Applicant on what they would like to explore, develop, influence or enhance and how they will make time to do this alongside their role and other commitments. Applications will only be considered if they have the support of their Head of Department/Service (or Tutor where relevant). Additionally, for an application to be considered, support is also required from a WIHEA Fellow or Alumni. This is to encourage applicants to discuss and understand the role of a Fellow in detail, with someone that is presently or has recently experienced the role. Do reach out directly to current Fellows/Alumni in your department/service or the WIHEA team (WIHEA@warwick.ac.uk) can help with introductions if needed.

An individual review of the Fellowship takes place annually with the Director of WIHEA. This provides each Fellow with the opportunity to reflect on their progress made and review their availability to commit to the role. Should unforeseen challenges or circumstances arise, a deferral or relinquishing the role may be considered. To help make Fellows contributions more visible, WIHEA will regularly share information on outputs and success stories across the institution.

Further information available:

For an insight into WIHEA activities, achievements and Fellows' reflections on their Fellowships, see our Annual Reports

For more on becoming a WIHEA Fellow, check out our selection process

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