SPARK

The SPARK programme is designed to provide staff from across each of the University’s job families with flexible, individualised, and progressive routes for personal and professional development, leading to postgraduate certificate, diploma, and masters level awards. Beneath the SPARK umbrella four, innovative course pathways offer classes that are aligned to each of the following job families:

Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Researcher Development

Knowledge Exchange

Academic Practice

Each of the course pathways offers flexibility that allows staff to take classes from other paths (e.g. a research fellow might be interested in taking classes from the KE or LT pathways, or, similarly, a teaching fellow might take classes from the RD or KE pathways). Staff may also choose to complete more than one degree to broaden their experience. As every staff member’s career is unique, we endeavour to provide individualised support to allow everyone to achieve their own career aims. To access this advice please attend one of our induction events or contact one of the Academic Development Leads.

Academic Professional staff are required to obtain at least 30 credits from the SPARK programme.

Whilst SPARK is primarily targeted at new and early career staff, it is also designed with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in mind, seeking to address the needs of more established and experienced staff members with significant roles in teaching and learning, research, knowledge exchange, or who are planning to undertake management and leadership roles. Experienced staff are encouraged to build on previous professional development, acquiring additional credits towards higher degrees, or they may undertake non-graduating study as part of their planned CPD.

SPARK has been designed with staff interests at the core. The programme aims to give you the scope to explore, define, and pursue your own career and professional development needs within your specific disciplinary and/or operational context.