The network of Communities of Practice (CoPs) was formed following a University wide conversation to discuss how best to promote and develop the university’s learning and teaching strategy.
Our university strongly believes in a vibrant culture of learning and teaching (L and T) collaboration to foster creativity, innovation for enhanced learner experience and to be an important contribution to staff professional development. We have successfully achieved “excellence” through embedding a network of Communities of Practice to enable our academics to engage in inter-subject, school and cross-institutional learning and teaching conversation.
These Communities were formed for staff to collaborate in ten key areas. Please see the Communities of Practice Diagram which illustrates the ten areas and the CoPs which sit under them.
The L and T office is responsible for scheduling CoP, managing the CoP calendar, processing new applications through a formal procedure, and capturing outcomes and disseminating good practice.
Please see the CoP schedule for the upcoming academic year. Please note this is updated regularly as sessions are organised. Further information and Zoom details can be found linked to each session title.
2023/24 Schedule:
Women in Academic CoP
Tuesday 12th March 2024
12pm - 1pm (Zoom)
Title: Family Friendly working practices (I)
In this first of two sessions on family-friendly working practices we will consider what constitutes family-friendly working practices and which of these are in place already at Liverpool Hope University.
Learning Outside the Classroom CoP
Wednesday 13th March 2024
10am - 11am (EDEN102)
The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) CoP is intended to provide opportunities to discuss and evaluate the benefits and values of learning outside the classroom. A particular focus will be to identify learning experiences and opportunities provided by LOtC and to explore and evaluate the challenges of developing and implementing LOtC opportunities within the HE curriculum. Staff from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science will initially present their perspectives and experiences of LOtC (particularly fieldwork) before opening up the discussion to cover different dimensions/types of learning outside the classroom.
Structured Writing CoP
Wednesday 10th April 2024
1pm - 2pm (Venue TBC)
Title: “It’s not for me”: How structured residential writing retreats can shift ideas of practice (led by Prof. Claire Penketh)
This session offers an introduction to the theory and practices of structured writing retreats. Drawing on evaluations from previous structured writing retreats, the session examines the place and usefulness of writing practice for university students and staff.
Learning Outside the Classroom CoP
Wednesday 17th April 2024
10am - 11am (EDEN102)
Students as Partners CoP
Wednesday 17th April 2024
2pm - 3pm (Learning Lab / Zoom)
Title: Students as researchers
The University offers a research internship programme which provides an opportunity for staff and student research activities to align. This session will explore the role of students as researchers alongside academics and to underpin and inform the projects.
Teaching Socially Relevant Topics in Different Disciplines CoP
Wednesday 24th April 2024
10am - 12pm (HCA105 & Zoom)
In this multi-disciplinary panel event in February, colleagues from Drama and Performance Studies, Computer Science and Mathematics, and History of Education will be sharing their approach to one teaching session they each deliver to students, and that touches on an area of social relevance. We will also be deconstructing what ‘social relevance’ might mean in different disciplinary contexts.
Hope Ecumenical Network CoP
Wednesday 1st May 2024
9:30am - 10:30am (Venue TBC)
Theme: Christian Higher Education in taught subject specific contexts
International Student Experience CoP
Thursday 2nd May 2023
1pm - 2pm (EDEN006)
Title: Supporting international students: sharing good practice
The University is working to increase international student numbers considerably, diversifying the countries they come from and the subjects they study. There is already a lot of good practice in supporting international students, academically, socially and culturally. This CoP is a chance to identify possible areas for development and share good practice and other ideas to ensure that we offer a great international student experience, from foundation year to PhD.
Women in Academic CoP
Tuesday 7th May 2024
12pm - 1pm (Zoom)
Title: Family Friendly working practices (II)
In this second of two sessions on family-friendly working practices, building on the previous session, we will continue to explore what family-friendly policies and practices look like and how these might be achieved or implemented.
Students as Partners CoP
Wednesday 27th March 2024
1pm - 2pm (Learning Lab / Zoom)
Title: Involvement in curriculum development and employability activities
How can we ensure that the student voice is heard in the design and development of curriculum and employability activities to ensure that their needs and interests are being addressed both when we plan new provision and as an on-going process?
How do we measure and reflect on the impact of co-designed curriculum and activities?