Professional development

Professional development for tutors and demonstrators

Demonstrators are members of teaching teams that often have the most direct regular face to face contact with students and can therefore have a profound effect on the student learning experience.  

The school and the University take this role very seriously and encourage demonstrators to enhance and professionalise their teaching experience.

Further training - Institute of Academic Development (IAD)  

In addition to the training and the support provided by the School of Biological Sciences, you can develop your knowledge and skills as a teacher by engaging with the resources offered by the Institute of Academic Development (IAD).  

These resources include online information about the role, online courses (Fundamentals of Teaching) and in person workshops.

Accreditation and affiliation with the Higher Education Academy (HEA)

Whilst research excellence is still the major measure of success and output within academia the idea of ‘teaching excellence’ has increased in stature in recent years. 

  • A recent report suggests that one third of academic roles are now teaching focussed.  
  • Experience in quality teaching is now seen as a major contributing factor in successful academic job applications and promotion. 

The Institute of Academic Development (IAD) have developed routes by which you can formally use your experience as a demonstrator to gain accreditation from and affiliation with the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this in person then: 

  • Approach your course organiser/floor leader
  • Or contact Dr John Curtis (see 'contact us' at bottom of page).

This article was published on