Staff Development for Learning and Teaching in the European Higher Education Area
Staff development in teaching is a key driver in enhancing learning and teaching quality at higher education institutions (HEIs) across Europe. Various studies and initiatives by the European University Association (EUA) emphasise the importance of providing continuous professional development opportunities for academic staff involved in student learning, as well as ensuring proper recognition of their teaching activities and the educational mission of universities.
As part of the EU-funded STAFF-DEV project, a survey was conducted among representatives of HEIs from 40 countries within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), gathering over 160 responses. The first analytical report of the project examines the national context in which staff development takes place, the opportunities available for professional growth, and the approaches and activities organised by HEIs. Additionally, it explores how staff development is linked to academic assessment and career progression.
Higher education institutions across the EHEA are paying increasing attention to their learning and teaching strategies. At the same time, challenges related to strategy implementation, capacity building, and inter-institutional cooperation remain central topics for discussion and peer learning. The majority of HEIs already offer various courses aimed at improving higher education teaching skills.
The “Staff Development for Learning and Teaching at European Universities” (STAFF-DEV) project aims to analyse how staff development is implemented at European HEIs, how it is integrated into institutional and national strategies for learning, teaching, and academic assessment, and what HEIs and national- and system-level stakeholders can learn from each other in this regard. The project will contribute to expanding knowledge on staff development and strengthening institutional capacity in learning and teaching, benefiting HEIs at different stages of developing their support and strategic approaches in this field.
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