Research-Led Educational Innovation - How does IATL do it?
IATL is the nest for education innovation at Warwick and aims to advance the academic discourse on the Research-Led Educational Innovation and to create models for its implementation.
Discover how IATL achieves this and explore practical examples that can benefit you and your department:
Developing Novel Learning Experiences for Students
IATL is internationally renowned for pioneering innovative teaching methodsLink opens in a new window that transcend the traditional boundaries of academic education, spanning disciplines, cultures, and borders.
From imagining ways to deliver effective Education for Sustainable DevelopmentLink opens in a new window to leading on revolutionary pedagogies that helps students to learnLink opens in a new window and be assessedLink opens in a new window in multi-, inter-, and trans- disciplinary ways, IATL is at the helm of education Innovation.
Moreover, IATL is at the forefront of shaping the concept of a 'Global Classroom', which aims to create an inclusive learning environment that welcomes students from diverse cultures and countries. Through its leadership in a variety of Eutopia-based and Monash-Warwick Alliance fundedLink opens in a new window educational projects and activities, IATL is spearheading the development of innovative approaches to global education.
Explore academic publications and further ground breaking examples of practice:
- IATL's Science of Music module has been collaborating with the Royal Birmingham ConservatoireLink opens in a new window since January 2022 to offer students from both institutions a unique experience.
Assessing Differently
Learning and teaching that transcends traditional disciplines cannot be adequately assessed with conventional methods. That's why IATL has meticulously developed, tested, and implemented a range of academically rigorous assessment approaches designed to authentically capture and celebrate students' learning journeys. These student-centred approaches encourage the exploration of new ideas and concepts, guiding students towards innovative research and entrepreneurial paths.
IATL acknowledges that non-traditional assessments can be both liberating and daunting for students. To enhance accessibility, IATL co-created clear assignment Link opens in a new windowguidelines for these unconventional assessments.
Importantly, these approaches designed for inter-, trans- disciplinary learning are adaptable to different disciplinary settings, reflecting IATL's commitment to ongoing pedagogical research.
IATL is fully committed to ongoing research in pedagogical assessment practicesLink opens in a new window.Link opens in a new window For example, emphasising pedagogical innovation, we explore AI's role in interdisciplinary educationLink opens in a new window and alternative assessments like Student Devised Assessments (SDA) Link opens in a new windowwhich can facilitate a rich platform to experiment with this developing technology. To know more engage with IATL Contribution to ‘Transforming Higher Education How we can harness AI in teaching and assessments and uphold academic rigour and integrity’.Link opens in a new window
Pushing assessment boundaries and to showcase student achievements, IATL hosts an Assessment Exhibition Link opens in a new windowhighlighting diverse inter- and trans- disciplinary work.
Embedding Wellbeing in the Curriculum
IATL has been pivotal in shaping the Higher Education sector's awareness of the imperative to embed wellbeing in the curriculum. Its contributions range from advising the European Commission Link opens in a new windowon future policies for supporting staff and student wellbeing in European institutions (to curating a comprehensive library of wellbeing practicesLink opens in a new window that has received global attention Link opens in a new window and podcast. Link opens in a new window Moreover, IATL has developed and disseminated the online module ‘Understanding Wellbeing,' Link opens in a new window which has been embraced by numerous universities in the UK and EuropeLink opens in a new window . Furthermore, IATL has taken the lead in developing strategies to support the university experience of mature, part-time, and mature studentsLink opens in a new window as well as PhD students, Link opens in a new windowsolidifying its position as a recognised international authority in this field.
Explore other projects, academic publications and contributions to global HE outlets:
Selected publications (for full list please click hereLink opens in a new window):
- Riva E., Lister, K. Helping students means taking university staff wellbeing seriouslyLink opens in a new window, WONKHE, March 2024.
- Riva, E., Lister, K., Jeglinska, W. Student and staff mental well-being in European higher education institutionsLink opens in a new window, 2024, NESET report, Publications Office of the European Union.
- Riva, E. Well-being pedagogies: activities and practices to improve the student experience onlineLink opens in a new window, Times in Higher Education, February 2021.
- Riva, E., Freeman, R., Schrock, L., Jelicic, V., Özer, C-T., Caleb, R. Student Wellbeing in the Teaching and Learning Environment: A Study Exploring Student and Staff PerspectivesLink opens in a new window, Higher Education Studies, 2020, 4, 103-115.
Paving the Way for Student Research
The University of Warwick and IATL are recognised as national and international leaders in undergraduate research and its dissemination. IATL's flagship initiatives include the sector-leading International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR)Link opens in a new window and the long-established undergraduate research journal, ReinventionLink opens in a new window. In 2023, IATL hosted the World Congress on Undergraduate ResearchLink opens in a new window and the British Conference of Undergraduate Research Link opens in a new window(WorldCUR-BCUR), further cementing its influence.
IATL's work not only shapes but is also shaped by best practices in research dissemination across the sector. IATL staff have contributed to significant publications, including the Cambridge Handbook of Undergraduate ResearchLink opens in a new window with a focus on dissemination challenges and opportunities. They have also co-authored a paper on digital competence and its relationship to student researchLink opens in a new window an output from a related Erasmus+ project they collaborated on. The team's experiences from hosting WorldCUR will be featured in an upcoming special issue of SPURLink opens in a new window, the journal of the Council on Undergraduate ResearchLink opens in a new window in the USA.
Students who have worked with IATL also actively engage in the dialogue surrounding undergraduate research through numerous reflectionsLink opens in a new window. Additionally, IATL staff significantly contribute to the national and international discourse on student research through presentations, seminars, and workshops. Highlights include an invitation to speak at the Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) NetworkLink opens in a new window seminar in Dublin and participation in an international discussion on current developments in undergraduate research organised by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR).
Fostering Education for Sustainable Development
IATL is a leader in fostering education for sustainable development Link opens in a new windowthrough its pioneering modules and collaborative projects. Modules such as ‘Thinking WaterLink opens in a new window’, ‘Humanitarian LawLink opens in a new window’, 'Reinventing Education'Link opens in a new window, ‘Understanding WellbeingLink opens in a new window’, and ‘Global ConnectionsLink opens in a new window’ exemplify inter- and trans- disciplinary approaches that integrate sustainability principles. For instance, ‘Rethinking Health SciencesLink opens in a new window’ critically examines the role of science and medicine in the COVID era, aligning with Sustainable Development GoalLink opens in a new window3 while nurturing critical thinking and communication skills.
Additionally, IATL supports funded initiatives like the Warwick Climate Negotiating Forum 2021, which engages students in ‘mock COP’ conferences to address climate challenges. Collaborations with Engineers Without Borders and Estates on the ‘Warwick NestLink opens in a new window’ project showcase IATL’s leadership in sustainability, involving students in creating low-carbon buildings on campus and enhancing their educational experience as co-producers. These initiatives highlight IATL’s pivotal role in advancing sustainable practices and empowering students to contribute to global sustainability efforts through innovative education and hands-on engagement.
IATL is continually innovating....
Join us in shaping the next phase of innovation with IATL and our next practice!
There are numerous ways for both staff and students to get involved, from exploring a range of curricular and extracurricular opportunitiesLink opens in a new window to applying for fundingLink opens in a new window.
Whether you are interested in enhancing our curriculum or participating in our diverse activities, there are plenty of avenues for engagement.