Profile

Nigel Dandy is Head of the Academic Support Office. 

The ASO team contributes to the quality of teaching and learning by working with academic staff on a wide range of matters relating to assuring academic standards and enhancing the student learning experience. This includes:

• assisting departments to develop curricula, online learning resources and effective modes of assessment and feedback;
• facilitating professional networks through the Learning and Teaching Forum;
• developing resources to improve students’ academic skills and the transition to University study;
• contributing to processes for reviewing the quality of our educational provision.
  

We also provide services directly to students, such as skills workshops and the Maths Support Centre.

CV in brief

Nigel began his career as a Lecturer in the Management School at the University of Sheffield (1989–1995) and subsequently held a number of posts in that University up to 2008, including Head of the Teaching and Learning Support Unit.  He managed the preparations for the University’s QAA Institutional Audits in 2003 and 2007 and the development of its bids to the HEFCE Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning scheme in 2004.  

In 2005 Nigel led a Sheffield team participating in the Higher Education Academy and Leadership Foundation’s jointly organised Change Academy programme, with a University-wide ‘culture change’ project.  He subsequently initiated an internal development programme for the University inspired by this experience, and reflected on the work in a paper published by the Leadership Foundation in 2009.  Nigel was a member of the national Change Academy Planning Team from 2006-2010.  He is also a founding member of the national Quality Strategy Network of senior managers and served on its executive committee from 2006-2009.