A total of 54 applications, from across 16 Irish higher education institutions, were received for Ireland’s inaugural Teaching and Learning Research Fellowships, which were launched on 13 January 2020 by the National Forum in partnership with the Irish Research Council (IRC). Of the applicants, 63% were female and 37% male. The applications were longlisted against a range of indicators designed to provide applicants with the opportunity to show their track record, through practice, scholarship and leadership, of a deep commitment to the enhancement of teaching and learning in higher education. The longlisting was completed by an international expert panel made up of colleagues working in Canada, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and the US. In addition, the student partnership indicator of all applications is was reviewed by a student representative. The review process was overseen by a technical group including representatives of the Irish Universities Association, the Technological Higher Education Association, the Higher Education Colleges Association, the Union of Students in Ireland, the IRC and the National Forum.
On 10 March, on completion of the longlisting process, a total of 26 applicants from across 11 higher education institutions were invited to Stage 2 of the selection process. Stage 2 requires that the applicant submit a short, written piece (750 words) and a short video (5-7 mins) which will be evaluated against criteria which reflect the overall Fellowship criteria, as published in the call document. As with Stage 1, an international panel will review Stage 2 applications, resulting in a list of short-listed ‘Fellowship Nominees’ who will progress to the final selection phase.
At the end of the three-stage process, up to five Fellowships will be awarded each with a value of €45,000. The Fellowships, which are the country’s most prestigious national individual teaching and learning awards, will
- recognise, reward and celebrate those who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the enhancement of teaching and learning.
- provide an opportunity for Fellows to share their knowledge and to expand their expertise in a variety of ways, including through research and scholarship, both nationally and internationally.
- provide a robust evidence base for future teaching and learning enhancement decision-making across the sector.
All information associated with the Fellowships can be accessed here.
