Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2018

University of York Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2018 took place on Friday 22 June and focused on Research-led teaching – in pursuit of excellence.

Get involved #YorkLT18

Research-led teaching and learning are distinguishing features of Russell Group universities. They are also key factors that influence students’ choice of university and their satisfaction with their course. Translating research excellence into learning opportunities to expose students to current research, including our own contributions to the discipline, are priorities from the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy and form core elements of the York Pedagogy. York has an outstanding reputation for research in many fields and is well-placed to inspire and engage students. The University ensures that students benefit from the very latest knowledge and thinking, enabling them to develop analytical skills vital to their future careers. However, despite clear and numerous benefits of bridging the traditional divide between research and teaching, achieving these objectives presents several challenges.

This conference explored how these challenges can be overcome by showcasing examples of best practice in research-led teaching through keynote presentations, lightning talks, discussion workshops and poster sessions.

The Keynote lecture and discussion was delivered by Angela Brew, an Emeritus Professor, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, who discussed Integrating research and teaching: Education for an unknown future.

The Conference saw the introduction of a session of Lightning Talks on:

Effective Rediscovery - A Challenge for Module Tutors; Research-led production of a new green chemistry children’s book resource with students as partners
Developing our Learning & Teaching Spaces: top tips for influencing and contributing
Improving Engagement and Learning in Practical Classes – Transforming Demonstrators to Enable Students to be Active Participants
When there are no answers at the back of the book — Incorporating research in the Year-3 laboratory and easing the transition to Year-4 research projects.

These talks were extremely well received and will continue for the 2019 Conference.

This year’s poster event was also a poster competition with prizes awarded to the winners and runners-up as judged by Professor John Robinson and Dr Phil Lightfoot.

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Congratulations go to winner Pen Holland and runner up Katie Smith.

Session summaries and materials are now available for the sessions on the forum blog.

The conference organisers wish to thank the speakers, workshop and poster presenters and everyone who worked so hard and collaboratively to make the 2018 conference such a success.

Look out for the forthcoming edition of Forum Magazine which will include features and interviews from the conference.