Herald Awards Winners

‘The judges all agreed the scale of this project is extremely impressive, as is the range of ways in which it seeks to help students – it isn’t just about boosting academic skills, and it also looks at issues like decolonising curricula. We were impressed by the ambition of the University of Glasgow, but also the commitment to make it work.’ 

We recently won the Herald Higher Education Awards for Enhancing Student Learning. These awards recognise the wealth of excellent activity happening in the colleges and universities of Scotland, and we’re delighted to have had our work praised in this arena. 

The University of Glasgow hosted a table of the friends of SLD – including lecturers in the Colleges, the SRC Vice President for Education, the Vice Principal, and others – to join for the awards ceremony. All in our finery and black-tie get-up, we were up against some worthy competitors, and all deserved to win.  Fred Macaulay, a Scottish comedian, hosted: the night involved some speeches, dinner and drinks to celebrate. We also had a band playing the night away (for academics to dance, badly). 

Our award application focused on three key things: 

• Our dedication to providing an enhanced student experience for all our students 

• Our work with specific cohorts of students to target activity, promote student learning, and work in partnership across the institution 

• Our innovation in the practice of Learning Development, maths and stats support, and peer-enabled activity. 

So, you might ask: why did you win?  

I’m obviously biased, but I think it came down to a couple of key factors. 

Firstly, the scale at which SLD at the University of Glasgow works. Several of our courses – I'm thinking T2G and AWSP as prime examples – are some of the biggest in the UK (if not the definitive biggest courses). These courses mean that the provision of SLD is truly inclusive and for all. We have had years of concern around Learning Development being a deficit-based model that looked to ‘top-up’ the skills of students who otherwise would be viewed to be missing something. Instead, SLD has mainstreamed our provision and makes sure that all students, no matter background or ability, have access to relevant and specific teaching to improve their academic work.  

This inclusion of all means all students can consider how to grow, develop their skills, enhance their CVs, and upskill for the modern world, and engage with their university studies.  

Secondly, the breadth of what SLD offers across the University of Glasgow. Do you want to improve your writing skills? We cover it. What about maths and numeracy? Yep, also us. Using stats in research or stats for analysis? Also SLD. Considering your research methodology and epistemology? We’ll help with that. Concerned about how to project manage and looking for a bespoke qualification here? We can do that. Wanting to best prepare for going into PhD-level study? That’s also us. Working in group assignments and having to do peer assessment? We have people trained specifically to help. Keen to get your research published to a large, broad, multi-disciplinary audience? That’s also us. Thinking about the role of AI in your studies and research? Complete our MOOC or consult our guidance on academic integrity with AI. Keen to adapt to the UK Higher Education culture if you’ve studied abroad? That’s also us.  

In short, while we’re solidly in the camp of Learning Development, we have pushed the boundaries of this work to the maximum. We’re constantly looking to make sure our work is up to date, engaging, responsive to student needs, and provides the best possible opportunities for our students to develop.  

Thirdly, the team's dedication to working with our students to improve their experience. The team is truly inspirational in the ways they’ll work with and alongside our students to demystify Higher Education, improve student confidence and attainment, and provide space for students’ development. Being able to work directly with our students in this way is brilliant. It is only through this partnership that we’re able to make difference to our students.  

So, in short: I’m really delighted that SLD won this award. It is testament to the hard work, the innovation, and the commitment to excellence amongst the team that has made it possible. We’ve won awards before, but it’s always great to have a national collection of judges and colleagues recognise the value in what we do. 

My thanks go to all the team, to all our students, and to the staff that we work in partnership with to improve the student experience.  

Written by Dr Andrew Struan, Head of SLD