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IATL's strategy

Introduction

IATL creates innovative and collaborative pedagogies that support a distinctive Warwick education. Our signature pedagogies are Open-space Learning and the Student as Researcher. We have a strong track record of interdisciplinary and international practice, and we provide academic leadership for pedagogic collaboration between diverse subject areas. We support disciplinary excellence through our funding streams, and via the wealth of transferable teaching and learning strategies we have accumulated. We subscribe to a model of student engagement that permits students and academics to function as co-creators of knowledge in open spaces.

Interdisciplinary Education

We presuppose that the challenges that face the world are ones that require the collaboration of a whole range of disciplines. We promote activity, therefore, that is multi-, inter-, or trans-disciplinary. We will promote this by:

  • Continuing to develop interdisciplinary modules and create new UG/PGT modules
  • Developing interdisciplinary courses, e.g. MSc in Humanitarian Engineering
  • Supporting others in developing new interdisciplinary courses and modules
  • Funding projects which create new opportunities, e.g. community engagement
  • Increasing the number of students who have the opportunity to take interdisciplinary modules by raising awareness, arguing for increased curricular flexibility, seeking harmonisation of credit, and lobbying for an interdisciplinary timetable

Student Research

We see student research as a pedagogy to be embedded in the curriculum, and as a way to engage students more fully in the life of the University. We will promote this by:

  • Developing the Reinvention Journal and expanding the International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR) experience
  • Networking and influencing UG research initiatives nationally and internationally
  • Exploring opportunities to embed student research within the university curriculum
  • Funding staff and student projects which develop collaborative research opportunities

International Learning

We recognise and celebrate the diverse and international nature of our student community. We seek to support the University's commitment to an international experience for all, be this via travel, or through the use of technology to create new models of international collaboration. We will promote this by:

  • Further developing the reach of ICUR and Reinvention (e.g. Compass, UG research network that brings together students from the ICUR institutions to share feedback)
  • Employing students in collaborative leadership roles (e.g. ICUR Student Directors)
  • Continuing to develop shared practice with Monash and other overseas partners
  • Leading and supporting the enhancement of teaching spaces, both virtually and physically (e.g. the International Portal or the Virtual Conference Centre)
  • Applying for internal and external funding for projects that support this agenda

Disciplinary Innovation

We assume that disciplinary innovation is the cornerstone of interdisciplinary education, high-quality student research and international learning. We will promote this by:

  • Supporting departmental and faculty-based innovation through funding streams
  • Consulting with DSEPs, DUGS and DGS on disciplinary pedagogic innovation
  • Showcasing undergraduate disciplinary innovation through ICUR and Reinvention
  • Creating opportunities for alternative forms of assessment and feedback for students

Emerging Practices in Higher Education

We support colleagues and students who seek to experiment and innovate with student-centred educational practices. We provide academic leadership for inter-/trans-disciplinary learning in cross-faculty contexts to support student and community engagement. We will promote this by:

  • Supporting student engagement and partnership through funding streams
  • Encouraging student leadership projects e.g. Enterprise Hub or Warwick Nest
  • Developing and disseminating the Student Ensemble and Emerge programmes
  • Enhancing the university’s regional and local partnerships e.g. City of Culture 2021
  • Exploring new methods in the area of student and community wellbeing
  • Anticipating future practices and emerging pedagogies in higher education