As an eligible institution we are invited to submit one nomination for the Advance HE (HEA) for a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) scheme. These awards aim to celebrate collaborative learning and teaching initiatives that positively impact on the student experience in creative and innovative ways. The awards recognise teams who have made significant impact on student outcomes and/or enabled a change in practice for colleagues at an institutional or disciplinary/professional level.

The CATE award carries significant prestige and successful teams are expected to engage in the dissemination of their practice both institutionally and across the sector. A case is made for excellence focussed on two criteria:

Criterion 1: Excellence in the team’s collaborative approach

Evidence of excellence in the team’s approach to working collaboratively; commensurate with their context and the opportunities afforded by it. This may, for example, be demonstrated by providing evidence of excellence in terms of:

• having a clear set of aims, objectives and rationale for the team’s approach and how the group constitutes a team and developed as a team;
• demonstrating direct engagement of students within or with the team;
• illustrating how the team has contributed to wider thematic and sector priorities, for example, assessment and feedback; retention, employability, staff development; students as partners; technology and social media;
• working collaboratively with a range of stakeholder groups;
• embedding practices across different programmes, disciplines, campuses or institutions;
• being flexible and creative in working to address unanticipated situations or events;
• measuring the impact or outcomes of collaborative work.

Criterion 2: Excellence in the impact of collaborative working

Evidence of the team having a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning beyond their immediate academic or professional area. This may, for example, be demonstrated by providing evidence of:

• the reach of the team’s work;
• the benefit or value derived from working as a team;
• the impact of supporting colleagues and/or influencing support for student learning;
• the impact on student learning or outcomes;
• the impact of any outcomes/outputs of collaborative work.

This year we invite teams interested in being selected by the University to submit for a CATE Award, to make an initial expression of interest. With reference to the above criteria please submit your expression of interest by 12 noon Friday 20^th September to talent@shu.ac.uk

Your expression should include both why you meet the criteria, and what evidence you can call on in support of your application and should be submitted on the attached form. As this is a highly competitive and demanding process, we recommend that you consider carefully the evidence that you have against the criteria to decide whether you have a reasonable chance of being selected for the next stage.

Further advice and guidance is available at a drop-in clinic on Monday 9^th September, 9.30-4.00pm at City campus.  Please contact talent@shu.ac.uk to book your slot.

Shortlisted teams will be supported by a mentor. Further details of the scheme can be found at https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/awards/teaching-excellence-awards/collaborative-award-for-teaching-excellence. The final date for submission by the institution is yet to be announced and will confirmed once we receive the relevant information from the HEA.