HEA appoints convenors to Internationalisation Special Interest Groups

The Higher Education Academy (HEA) has appointed convenors, following a competitive process, to lead two Special Interest Groups (SIGs) on Internationalisation. Dr Gavin Bunting from the University of Wales will convene the Special Interest Group - Transnational Education, while Dr Sue Robson (Newcastle University), Dr Scott Burgess and Dr Diane Sloan (Northumbria University) will convene the Special Interest Group - Internationalisation of the Curriculum. The two SIGs reflect the operational priorities of the HEA’s internationalisation work:

1. Internationalisation of the curriculum: This SIG will build on the HEA’s inaugural group convened in 2011-12, focusing on effective learning and teaching policy and practice to enhance the student learning experience, for both the home and international students.
2. Transnational education: New for 2012-13, this SIG will focus on promoting high quality learning and teaching on overseas programmes. The group will bring together those in HE interested in either/both staff and student issues in transnational arrangements, whether ensuring equitable student learning experiences or teaching excellence.

The SIGs will run, in the first instance, till July 2013. Each SIG receives £4000 to facilitate its work. In return for the funding, each SIG will be expected to produce at least one practical output for the UK HE sector such as a resource, tool or guide  which will promote engagement in the theme of the SIG, encouraging the development of policy and/or practice or address one (or more) key issue(s). The HEA encourages staff of UK higher education institutions with a genuine interest in developing high quality learning and teaching for home and international students to join the SIGs. Members will need to commit to a number of meetings (face-to-face or virtual).

• To join the SIG – Transnational Education, email Dr Gavin Bunting at g.bunting@wales.ac.uk.
• To join the SIG – Internationalisation of the Curriculum, email Dr Sue Robson at heasig@newcastle.ac.uk.

Find out more about the HEA’s work on Internationalisation at the HEA website.