Journal of Academic Development and Education JADE Issue 11 Summer 2019 | Page 66

Editor's Epilogue Editor's Epilogue Dr. Russell Crawford “I want…to change things. I want to believe that anything can be changed.” Senior Teaching Fellow and Academic Developer Chrono, Chrono Crusade - SF-HEA (in case you were interested) Although from an unusual source, this quote could arguably be the watchwords of a motivated academic developer and whilst it can mean you are seen as a disruptive element in some contexts, it was a welcome surprise all those years ago when I found this to be the minority view despite what others perceptions of the role might be. Having lived as an academic developer for the last half decade (I can`t believe it either!!) I have engaged with continuous professional development (CPD) with others in a range of ways, from simple one-on-one support with teaching to whole programme development and there has consistently been one opportunity that stands out for me as an effective and desirable mechanism for CPD and that is engaging in a recognition-based CPD scheme. Managing Editor of JADE [email protected] I know what you are thinking….”You have just taken over running the institutional professional recognition scheme, of course you would say that!” and whilst that is true to some extent, I have been both a traveller on that route as well as a mentor since its creation here at Keele. Professional recognition at any band, be that associate fellow, fellow, senior fellow or principal fellow, is a valuable and I would say essential esteem and credibility factor that those in HE cannot afford to overlook or consign to the backburner. It is also worth noting these bands are not in fact a hierarchical structure but are instead based on the personal journey and the role(s) you have. Having gone through most of these bands myself over the years I would reflect that each was simultaneously rewarding and challenging to complete in their own right, requiring the individual to articulate their practice whilst at the same time benchmark it again the UK Professional Standards Framework (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ukpsf) which is no mere afterthought. Where the challenge usually lies is in harnessing the breadth of roles and activities performed and then collecting, evidencing and articulating them all within the limited word count in order to evidence suitability for recognition. 66