Could you tell us about your contribution, Sue?

My outstanding contribution was teaching and learning (T&L). A focal part of my work has been on the use of social media and technology for learning. In 2008 I created the SHU Social Media CoLab in Yammer as a space for colleagues across the University to share practice. In my role as Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Lead, I recognised the benefits and the potential issues using social media could present and have co-written social media guidance for the University, led workshops and given numerous guest lectures for students and staff, linking social media with employability and showcasing innovative practice.

In 2015 I initiated the ‘Social Media for Learning in HE’ Conference as a forum to share and critically discuss the use of social media. It was hosted by Hallam for three years and other universities since then, hopefully returning to Hallam for the 10th anniversary in 2024. I have continued to be on the steering group for each event. Passionate about working with students as partners, I co-led an extracurricular project called ‘Social Media for Academic Studies at Hallam’ that spanned four years providing students with the opportunity to lead workshops, create resources, present at external conferences, and co-publish blog posts and a journal article.

My significant contribution was research and innovation (R&I). Publications include one book, eleven book chapters, nine journal articles, and several other academic publications, conference proceedings and a consultancy practice report for Advance HE. Being invited to contribute two chapters to the Higher Education Computer Science: A Manual of Practical Approaches and co-writing the second edition of Success in Groupwork are valued experiences.

Investment in my own CPD and completion of a PgCert in T&L, two master’s degrees and now part way through a PhD, I have been able to experience what it’s like to be a student. This has influenced the direction my research has taken, and as an open educator the passion to share this work for the benefit of educators not just within Hallam but externally. At the point of submission I had given 96 invited talks, including nine internationally and 29 keynotes. Giving the keynote presentation in 2019 at the Association of Learning Technology conference which took place in the prestigious McEwan Hall at the University of Edinburgh was possibly one of my proudest moments. Though, being awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2017 is an achievement I will also always treasure, alongside every student nomination for inspirational teaching and academic advising received.

What does it mean personally to you to be an associate professor at Hallam?

I feel very proud that my contribution to T&L has been recognised and that my continued research in this area is valued by the University and the wider higher education sector. To be able to research and share how T&L can be enhanced is a joy!

Tell us a bit about your career story so far.

Prior to joining Sheffield Hallam I worked at Lloyds Bank and then Otto UK as a Client Liaison Manager for Debenhams Direct leading a team of nine people. After being made redundant in 2004 I began my third career at Hallam as an administrator, initially as a temp and then a Portfolio Manager. I quickly established a passion for T&L and within a year I was working for the Faculty of ACES’s Head of LTA.

In 2008 I took on the role of Faculty Technology Enhanced Learning Lead and began teaching as an Associate Lecturer. My interest in academic development continued and after becoming a Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association, I became a co-opted member of their executive board.

Keen to further my own development I completed a second master’s degree in TEL, Innovation and Change. I joined the Department of Computing as a Lecturer in 2014, progressed to Senior Lecturer in 2015, became a Senior Fellow of the HEA in 2016, and in 2017 I was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship and took on the position of Principal Lecturer and LTA Lead for Computing. In the same year I was invited to be a Visiting Fellow at Edge Hill University.

If you could go back in time and give yourself some career advice, what would it be?

It would be to pursue my dreams! My aspiration to teach goes back to school days. I made the choice to go to college rather than sixth form, but not before making enquiries that the successful attainment of the Ordinary National Diploma (equivalent of two A Levels) would be accepted by the Sheffield Teachers Training College.

On completing my OND in 1979, there was a significant rise of unemployed newly trained teachers. With no-one to go to for guidance I panicked and made the decision instead to apply for a job at Lloyds Bank. It took another 25 years before I stepped foot into a university.

What’s next? How do you want to further develop your contribution?

Some of things I am currently working on are:

• Co-editing a SEDA Routledge publication on Using Generative AI Effectively in Higher Education.
• Several T&L related book chapters.
• Co-writing an Assessment Guide with Advance HE.
• Invited presentations as a guest speaker/keynote for the Atlantic Technological University in Galway, Bangor University, University of Bolton, Teesside University and University of Liverpool.
• Continuing to lead the weekly international Learning and Teaching in HE online chat.
• Within my own department contributing to a newly formed research cluster focusing on the scholarship of T&L and pedagogic research, and will continue to mentor colleagues applying for Senior Fellowship of the HEA.