Academic and Learning Services
Academic Lead – Interdisciplinary Research
Challenge (Achieve More)
Overview
About the Department
This post is based within the Projects and Development team which is part of Academic &
Learning Services (ALS). The Projects and Development team is responsible for the development
and implementation of a range of university-wide activities and projects for learning and
teaching innovation. These are defined by priorities laid out in a range of strategies relating to
the academic environment (e.g. Learning & Teaching, Widening Participation, E-learning, and
Employability).
The team works closely with colleagues across the university’s academic departments and
professional services to shape developments, identify and share good practice, and ensure
consistency of delivery as well as the embedding and sustainability of activities.
ALS is part of the wider Student Services Department, for further information about the
department please see http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssd/.
Job Role
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop Sheffield’s flagship Achieve More level 2
interdisciplinary challenges. The role will be of interest to academic staff with a passion for
engaging learners with their research, and who are keen to apply their experience to developing
new approaches to research led learning activities.
Achieve More (www.sheffield.ac.uk/achievemore) aims to enable all of our students to learn
through exploring the global and local challenges which are shaping the work of our leading
researchers, as well as the place of their discipline within these. It is unique in the sector in
committing to provide this experience to all students, and at each level of study.
As one of 5 Academic Leads you will shape the disciplinary and pedagogical grounding for the
development of interdisciplinary cross-faculty research challenges, to be provided for all second
year undergraduate students from semester 2 2015-16.
You will be an enthusiastic researcher and educator, with experience of working in close
collaboration with multiple academic staff, ideally beyond a single discipline and would be
comfortable working closely with professional services staff, Student Ambassadors for Learning
and Teaching and Students’ Union Officers.
Your interests will mesh naturally with the goals of this project - to introduce students to global
issues, cutting edge research on these topics at the University of Sheffield and beyond, and to
inspire them to think and work creatively across disciplinary boundaries.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
To lead on the development of a challenge for delivery in 2015-16* including:

Working closely with an educational developer from the Projects & Development team to
develop a challenge as a set of learning activities;

Designing the content, delivery mechanism (blended approach with e.g. face-to-face,
online, peer and independent learning opportunities, as well as showcase researcher
elements), learning materials and evaluation to inform further developments;

Engaging with a wide range of disciplinary areas appropriate to the paired themes, and
including leading researchers and external contacts as appropriate, e.g. alumni, city agencies,
employers, ensure that the challenge provides a meaningful experience for all participating
students;

Working collaboratively with students in the development of the challenge, in particular,
the 2014-15 and 2015-16 Student Ambassadors for Learning & Teaching (SALTs) working on
this area.

Contributing to the work of the L2 working group chaired by Professor Anthony J Ryan,
reporting on progress and issues, and working closely with colleagues responsible for the
other level 2 challenges to ensure consistency of approach;

Ensuring timely consideration of operational issues relating to the development, timing,
resourcing and delivery of the challenge are considered and passed on to the Achieve More
Project Manager and Operational Group so that they can be addressed in a timely way;

Carefully considering linkages and how the challenge might be linked to other elements of
Achieve More (i.e. following L1 activities and leading into L3/4 activities), as well as aspects
of students’ core curricula and any other related skills development or extra-curricular
activities.

Any other duties, commensurate with the academic lead role.

In contributing to this strategic institutional priority, you will make an active contribution to
the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in
applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the
subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole. Further information on the
underpinning values of the Sheffield Academic can be found at:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/sheffieldacademic.
*extent of commitment flexible subject to appointees availability
Person Specification
Applicants should demonstrate evidence of the following criteria in their letter of application:

An experienced academic.

An enthusiastic researcher and educator.

Have experience of developing engaging learning activities, designed to meet the needs
of diverse student groups.

Have an interest in, and experience of working across disciplinary boundaries.

Experience of leading group discussions, producing engaging learning resources and
supporting information, and report writing and presentations that meet the requirements
for varying audiences and purposes.

Ideally have experience of consulting and working in partnership with a wide range of
stakeholders, for example, academic staff, students, professional services staff and
external contacts.

Ability to bring your knowledge and research, as well as that of other leading researchers
at Sheffield, to bear upon the breadth of the project.

Ability to develop creative ways of engaging the full cross-section of staff and students
from all faculties at Sheffield in your chosen theme.

Ability to work collaboratively within a project team on a day-to-day basis, aligning the
work and goals of the team with the Achieve More and institutional strategic vision.

Experience of working across formal team boundaries to engage colleagues from a wide
range of departments.

Ability to identify issues and explain them to others, and to work in partnership with
academic colleagues and professional services to develop solutions.

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.

Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications.

Ability to take a creative approach to the development of learning activities, whilst
meeting the requirements and ethos of the overarching project.

Ability to assess and organize resources, and plan and progress work activities.

Ability to enthuse others with innovative ideas, backed up with demonstrable vision and
a passion for turning ideas into reality.

Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts throughout own work
area.

Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances and ability to apply this in a large
phased project.
This post is fixed-term with a start date of March 2015 and an end date of 31st July 2016
with potential extension to cover academic year 2016-17, subject to funding and to
project needs. Terms and conditions of employment will remain those attributable to the
post-holder’s substantive academic role.
How to apply: please email a copy of your CV and a covering letter detailing your suitability for
the role by reference to the criteria to: Gillian Dinsey, Project Manager
(g.dinsey@sheffield.ac.uk) . If you have queries in relation to the recruitment process for this
role Gillian can be contacted on 0114 222 0420.
Closing date: 20th February 2015
Informal enquiries: Gillian Dinsey, Project Manager.
The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through
inclusion The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer
www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/equality/support/twoticks/