Education in Practice Network

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Category: SoTL and HE research

  • New paper on designing inclusive digital learning: from practice to recognition

     Piyali Bhattacharya is a Teaching and Research Fellow at the School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, and has recently completed her PhD. Her research focuses on clinical and developmental psychology with special interest to mental health and neurodiversity. Alongside her research, Piyali has been involved in designing and leading a postgraduate Digital Mental Health module…

  • New paper on the awarding gap by Dean Kavanagh

    Dr Dean Kavanagh is an Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Science in the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, where he teaches across Biomedical Science and Medical Education. Alongside his research in cardiovascular science, he has an interest in assessment, student progression and educational equity in higher education. This article, initially conceived as…

  • Student confidence through complexity: new research showcases impact of interdisciplinary learning

    We speak to Dr Evelyn Svingen, Assistant Professor in Criminology at the Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology at the University of Birmingham. Evelyn recently publsihed the findings of an education enhancement project in the journal Nature: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, which represents global recogntion for her scholarship and education research work. Evelyn,…

  • Education enhancement project leaders’ forum Jan 2026

    On 28 January 2026, we had the pleasure of hosting a forum for project leaders. The forum brought together leaders of institutionally-funded enhancement projects through our Education Enhancement Fund, and many practitioners who were keen to engage in dialogue around the themes and topics discussed.   The programme for the day included: Dylan Williams (School of Chemistry) Lab…

  • New paper on Generative AI and critical thinking by C. Lawler

    Our latest paper is a study of using Generative AI with undergraduate students to support the development of critical thinking, as well as further the knowledge of GAI itself. Our author, Catherine RE Lawler, is a microbiologist who works at the Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham. In this…

  • Celebrating our SRHE Fellow Prof. Sarah Montano

    At the last international conference of the Society for Research Into Higher Education in December, our colleague Prof. Sarah Montano of the University of Birmingham Business School was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Society, alongside other important contributors to research in HE over the decades, such as Gerlese Akerlind, Paul Ashwin, Sue Clegg, Heidi…

  • New paper on teaching coding in higher education with joy by Cremona et. al.

    Our latest case study is titled ‘Feeling the code’: Emotions in programming and interventions supporting positivity, and focuses on teaching introductory coding to Masters students in different contexts, including bioinformatics and computer science, with students learning on-campus or via distance learning. The case study highlights the importance of emotions in this learning setting, and assesses…

  • Stepping into the unknown: a biological scientist’s journey into the exotic world of social science

    Lindsey Compton, Associate Professor in Genetics from the School of Biosciences comments on embracing educational research for academics from a STEM background (and beyond!), after an event of our Education Research and Scholarship Network on 30 October 2025. Over the years as University educators, we come to know our own students the best! What works…