Catherine McConnell

My role in the Centre for Learning and Teaching is leading the Student Academic Success and Partnership team. I currently hold the national role of Co-Chair for International Academic Peer Learning (IAPL) - a network of over 300 colleagues working in the field of peer learning in higher education. I am the institutional lead for a nationally funded HEFCE Catalyst project 'Changing Mindsets - Reducing Stereotype Threat as a Barrier to Student Success'.

As Senior Lecturer in Learning Development my role encompasses a range of research and practice, working directly with students, academic staff and central departments in the areas of developing academic skills, students’ transition to university, peer assisted learning and looking at ways to improve student engagement, employability and retention. In 2014 I was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

I co-produce the Academic Study Kit website which is designed in partnership with students to familiarise them with the skills needed to achieve study success at university. This work is closely linked with the University’s former national membership of LearnHigher, and the work of the Association of Learning Developers in HE (ALDinHE).

I am also responsible for planning and implementing PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) a national peer learning programme at the university, which has been running since 2009. Each academic year we train a cohort of up to 150 PASS leaders, across 10 Schools within the university and at some of our partner colleges. For more details please visit the PASS website.