CoP Network by Learning & Teaching
Introduction
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 Six key areas.
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.
Classroom Practice
Inclusive Practice
The Disability Inclusive Practice Community of Practice (CoP), is run by the Students’ Union with the participation of Academic Staff and staff from Learning Support. The current CoP is facilitated by Alex Toomath (SU VP for Education), Susan Murray (Director of Student Learning), Carol Jones (Senior Learning Support Advisor) and Irene Rose (Senior Professional Tutor in SEN/Disability Studies). However, the catalyst at the centre of the group is our student cohort. Students have been an intrinsic part of this CoP since its inception providing us with valuable and highly relevant feedback in regards to inclusive practice for disabled students in their areas of study.
During the year, the CoP takes various formats: Staff drop-ins for support with understanding and working with LSPs, staff L&T sessions supporting staff to celebrate learner diversity through L&T, student and staff discussion groups, and closed sessions (for strategic initiatives).
Held By: Dr. Irene Rose
Curriculum
Decolonising the University
The Decolonising the University COO is a collaborative space where faculty, students, and staff critically engage with the structures, curricula, and practices that shape higher education. Together, we explore ways to challenge colonial legacies in teaching, research, and institutional culture—centering diverse knowledge systems and historically marginalized perspectives in the effort to foster more representative and just academic spaces. In addition to internal and external guest speakers, this is also an action oriented group. We have drafted a call to action which helped inform Hope’s new Action and Participation Plan, and supported related student initiatives.
Held By: Dr. Carly Bagelman & Dr. Annalaura Alifuoco
Research
PGR / Doctoral Supervision
The CoP on Doctoral Supervision is a community where staff and students come together to discuss ways to foster a more positive, collaborative, and transparent culture of doctoral research and supervision at Hope. The goal of the CoP is to serve as a space where we (supervisors, doctoral students, and everyone involved with PGR admin and research) can come together and openly and honestly talk about issues affecting doctoral supervision and the doctoral student experience more broadly. The CoP aims to be a genuine community where topics for discussion emerge spontaneously from the interests of its members.
Held By: Lee Mackenzie
Practice Research
This Community of Practice will bring together colleagues and research students engaged in or curious about practice research, creating a supportive forum for discussion, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. We aim to demystify practice research, highlight its methodologies, and showcase its value. Central to this is recognising and legitimising practice as a robust research methodology, capable of generating knowledge and insight on equal footing with more traditional approaches. By sharing expertise, challenges, and case studies, the group will help members strengthen their research identities and navigate the institutional and sector-wide contexts in which practice research is evaluated and recognised.
Held By: Manoli Moriaty & Tom Sykes
Engaging With The Media
This COP will provide an overview of media engagement for researchers, focusing on the benefits, challenges, and key principles of communicating research to the public through media channels. We will discuss why media engagement matters, how it can amplify research impact, and address common misconceptions or concerns researchers may have.
Participants will gain insights into how the media works, what journalists look for, and how to begin thinking about translating complex research findings into accessible messages. The session will also introduce examples of successful media engagement to highlight good practice.
Held By: Dr. Jamie Lingwood
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.
2025/26 Schedule
All COP'S for this year have now taken place, we will provide an updated schedule for COP's taking place in the year 2025/26 at the start of the academic year. Thank you all for attending, and we look forward to hosting another run of sessions.
