Imperial launches new Learning and Teaching Strategy

The new strategy launched today will build on Imperial's existing strengths and establish the College as a centre for world-class learning.

The strategy will build on the many existing examples of innovative teaching at the College in order to make sure that Imperial’s teaching is just as innovative as its research.

The strategy lays out the principles of an Imperial education – namely a world-leading, rigorous, evidence-based, inclusive educational experience embedded in a vibrant research environment.

Building on Imperial’s existing strengths the strategy focuses on four main areas:

• A review of our curricula and assessment

• An evidence-based transformation of our pedagogy, to make teaching more interactive

• The fostering of an inclusive and diverse culture

• The development of online and digital tools to enhance curricula, pedagogy and community

Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice Provost (Education) said: “Over the past few months I’ve had the pleasure to work with staff and students from all over the College in the development of this new Learning and Teaching Strategy. I’ve continually been moved by the passion and enthusiasm for Imperial and the exciting and innovative teaching that takes place here. This strategy takes that energy, innovation and dedication to learning and teaching and sets out how we hope to build on these strengths for the future.”

Innovations such as David Dye’s flipped lecture model of teaching and digital learning innovations developed by David Lefevre in Imperial College Business School lie at the heart of the new strategy as the College looks to build on these existing initatives and develop new ones alongside them. 

Investing for the Future

The strategy represents a significant investment in education by the College over the coming years. Funding will be provided to give staff more time for innovation and also deliver infrastructure for future educational developments and improved educational research so that changes made are evaluated and their impact measured. The strategy also commits the College to working closely with students as partners in their education.

Gideon Shimshon, Director, Digital Learning Lab

Aspects of this are already in place with the ongoing recruitment for a new Assistant Provost (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and April’s announcement of Gideon Shimshon as Director of a new Digital Learning Hub at the College.

Professor James Stirling, Provost, said: "The new Learning and Teaching Strategy commits us to offering all of our students a world-leading, rigorous, evidence-based, inclusive educational experience embedded in a vibrant research environment, building on the many  examples of good practice across the College. I am grateful to Simone for her leadership in developing the new strategy, and to all those colleagues who have helped and supported her."

Community Consultation

The strategy development process consulted widely with staff and students from across the College with an online consultation open to all staff and students being used to help shape its direction as well as working closely with Imperial College Union and the Officer Trustees.

Earlier this year a number of pop-up stands were held across Imperial’s campuses inviting staff and students to share their views on learning and teaching priorities and to highlight successes and areas for improvement. Town hall meetings were also hosted, giving the chance for a deeper engagement with the strategy process, ask questions and feedback views on its development.

You can read the full Strategy on the Learning and Teaching Strategy webpages.