HEA@UQ program
HEA@UQ is a professional recognition program that supports those with teaching and learning experience and expertise to gain accreditation through the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
The program provides aspiring fellows with the opportunity to not only gain credit for what they have already achieved, but also to plan and work towards future development, with the support of UQ’s HEA Fellowship community and ITaLI staff.
If you are ready to submit an Expression of Interest, go straight to Apply for an HEA Fellowship page.
Why participate?
In this short video, HEA@UQ Program Coordinator A/Prof Deanne Gannaway explains why you may want to engage with the HEA community.
Benefits
An HEA Fellowship brings you a range of benefits:
- Consolidates personal development and evidence of professional practice in your higher education career
- Provides a badge of assured quality, and a valuable measure of success recognised internationally
- Further enhances your career progression, as the Fellowship is increasingly sought by employers across the education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion
- Identifies your expertise, with the entitlement to use post-nominal letters (AFHEA, FHEA, SFHEA, PFHEA)
- Demonstrates commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience, through engagement in a practical process that encourages research, reflection and development.
Which Fellowship category is right for me?
There are 4 different categories of Fellowship which reflect the wide range of professional practice carried out by individuals who teach and/or support learning in higher education. Each Fellowship category is underpinned by the Professional Standards Framework (PSF).
The category of fellowship you choose is not role dependent. You'll need to explore whether you have sufficient evidence of appropriate teaching and or/support for learning practice to make a successful application in any of the 4 categories. To help you decide, watch this short video and complete the Fellowship category decision tool (~10–20 minutes):
1. Associate Fellow - AFHEA
Staff applying for Associate Fellowship may be fairly new to a role in teaching and/or support for learning or you might have a limited teaching portfolio.
Staff in a variety of roles have been successful in applying for Associate Fellowship including professional services staff, PhD students, graduate teaching assistants, contract researchers, post-doctoral researchers, part-time/fractional staff, learning technologists and professionals working in industry.
2. Fellow - FHEA
This category recognises individuals from a wide variety of contexts, whose practice with learners enables them to evidence all PSF 2023 Dimensions.
This might be staff with substantive teaching responsibilities or professional staff with responsibilities to support learning across all Dimensions. These staff usually demonstrate 3 - 5 years of experience and/or substantive teaching and support for learning responsibilities in their applications.
3. Senior Fellow - SFHEA
Senior Fellows demonstrate that their comprehensive understanding and effective practice provides a basis from which they lead or influence those who each and/or support high-quality learning.
Senior Fellows lead and influence teaching and learning practice in many different settings. Working with and through ‘others’ (e.g. colleagues, peers, mentees, etc.) they operate to support, guide and initiate change or influence enhancement of practice in a wide range of global contexts.
4. Principal Fellow - PFHEA
Principal Fellowship is not role dependent. Within your context, you will need to explore whether you have the extensive evidence of impact on high quality learning, at a strategic level.
Principal Fellows are a diverse community representing the full range of strategic leadership in higher education. You may work in academic departments, professional or service departments, on senior or executive leadership teams, for a professional body, or in other roles with impact on learning and teaching in Higher Education.
Testimonials
Marissa Edwards
"As an early career academic, I am very proud to be recognised with an HEA Fellowship. I am grateful for the recognition of my achievements to date, and see this as a significant step forward in my professional development."
Saiied Aminossadati
"I am delighted to be acknowledged by the HEA for my efforts and ability to impact and influence student learning. This fantastic experience has enabled me to evaluate and affirm my teaching practice against an internationally recognised educational framework. I have been provided with the opportunity to reflect on my practice, which is a key element in enhancing students’ learning experience. To be part of this global network, I can demonstrate my commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education."
Lydia Kavanagh
"I feel very honoured and humbled to have been recognised as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Sometimes we forget to reflect on our own achievements, and applying to the HEA allowed me to consolidate and evidence my commitment to improving the student experience."
Ready to apply?
If you are interested in participating in the HEA@UQ program, please register to attend an information session through Workday. Find out whether you are eligible, key dates and the overall process: