Academic transitions explored at Imperial's Education Day

International students, library services and the student perspective were all on the agenda at this year's Education Day on 27 March.

Staff and representatives from Imperial College Union came together last week to hear a range of speakers and discuss the key issue of academic transitions as part of this year’s Education Day.

Professor Debra Humphris, Vice Provost (Education) began the day by welcoming guests and introducing to the annual event, now in its seventh year.

Dr Janet De Wilde delivering the keynote address

Educationalists from across the college were joined by keynote speaker, Dr Janet De Wilde, Head of STEM at the Higher Education Academy (HEA) Scotland, who shared experiences from HEA Scotland’s work on improving transitions between different stages in a student’s academic career.

Professor Debra Humphris, Vice Provost (Education) said: “Education Day is a chance for staff from across the College to come together to discuss key academic issues. This year’s theme, academic transitions, lies at the heart of our Education and Student Strategy and supporting these transitions – for example between school and university – is an integral part of what we do here at Imperial.

“Students are rightly demanding more from their university than ever before and all Imperial staff have a role to play in helping students through their transitions at all stages of their academic experience”, Professor Humphris added.

The speakers offered insights on the issue of academic transitions from a range of different perspectives.

Nat Kemptson, Deputy President (Education) and Andrew Keenan, Education and Welfare Manager from Imperial College Union started the day by offering a range of student perspectives on transitions from school to university, and from Undergraduate to Postgraduate education across issues such as teaching styles, learning habits and academic freedom and flexibility. This follows on from the work already undertaken by Imperial College Union in the annual Student Experience Survey Response published last week.

Dr Julie King, Director of the new Centre for Academic English discussed some of the challenges faced by international students when faced with the challenge of not only a new country and a new language, but mastering that language in an academic context and the role the Centre for Academic English plays in supporting them in this.

Other speakers included Chris Banks, Director of Library Services, who offered insights from the libraries recent work to offer a more personalised relevant and welcoming service to new students and Dr Martin Kingsbury, Head, Education Development Unit, who talked about the development and importance of the Imperial Study Guide.

Professor Mary Morrell

As well as talks and presentations, the day ended with a panel discussion providing attendees with an opportunity to pose questions on the days topic and share good practice from around the College.

This year’s theme, transitions, is particularly important as it forms a key part of the ongoing work of the Education and Student Strategy. A working group headed by Professor Mary Morrell, (Faculty of Medicine) has been set up to look at the issue of transitions as part of the strategy with other College events, such as last week’s Welfare Seminar looking at non-academic aspects of student transitions.

Professor Mary Morrell said: “The aim of the Transitions Working Group is to provide information and advice that will enable students joining the college to achieve academic success.

“For me the Education Day highlighted how many great things are going on around the Collage and we saw throughout the day so many great ideas to support the ‘transition’ for new students at all levels joining the college community.”

The event closed with Professor Debra Humphris thanking all the attendees for their contributions throughout the day and for their ongoing commitment to supporting all the students’ at Imperial throughout their time at the College.