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Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) Expression of Interest Scheme

Selection process;

The University is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through its Teaching & Learning funding and award schemes, and to ensuring that these schemes are accessible to all colleagues. We welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including ethnic minority, LGBTQIA+, disabled and neurodivergent applicants. We also welcome applications from the wide range of disciplines and areas across the University, including colleagues in professional services roles and those on part-time contracts.

The University selects its nominee for the CATE scheme in the following way:

A call is made for self-nominations to be submitted to the Centre for Quality Support and Development (CQSD) using the Expression of Interest form (see below).

The CATE Selection Panel selects one team to go forward into the CATE scheme. The nominated team is selected according to the extent to which their application meets the scheme criteria.

The CATE Selection Panel comprises:

  • Three Reading National Teaching Fellows, CATE winners or University Teaching Fellows, one of whom will act as Cahir
  • A CQSD representative
  • Reading Students Union Education Officer

The CATE Selection Panel reserves the right to consider potential candidates not otherwise nominated through the Expression of Interest route.

Following the selection process, the University's nominated team will be allocated an appropriate mentor to support them in drafting their application to Advance HE.

Expression of Interest Scheme criteria and guidance:

The application focusses on two criteria, which align with those of Advance HE's CATE Scheme, and a contextual statement which will be considered by the Selection Panel as part of the application. Applicants are asked to articulate the reach, value and impact of the team's practice in relation to HE teaching and/or learning support and to indicate the evidence they would draw on to support the claims made.

Contextual Statement

(250 words maximum)

Outline the context, setting, field and/or area of work within which the team is operating. Explain the team's composition and the role(s) and responsibilities within the team, and briefly outline the nature of the team's teaching and learning practice (e.g. types of learners, discipline(s)/specialist area(s), scope and scale of practice undertaken by the team).
Criterion 1 Excellence in the team's collaborative approach

(350 words maximum) Evidence of excellence in the team's approach to working collaboratively, commensurate with their context and the opportunities afforded by it.

Outline the team's approach to, and the value of, working collaboratively, and planning for reach and impact.

Criterion 2 Excellence in the impact of collaborative working

(350 words maximum) Evidence of the team having a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning, including beyond their immediate academic or professional area.

Demonstrate the reach and impact of the team's work and its value including beyond the team's initial context.

Applicants should refer to the CATE Expression of Interest Scheme - Guidance for applicants when completing their application. They may wish to access a recording of the Applying for a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) (Webinar). In this session, which took place in September 2023, we shared key information about the CATE scheme and discussed the application process and criteria. We also explored how to evidence the impact of collaborative work.

Applicants may also wish to refer to the CATE - Insight into the award criteria video series created by Advance HE.

Applicants are strongly advised to adhere to the maximum word limits for each section. The Selection Panel will not take into account any words exceeding these limits. Applicants may wish to use bullet points in order to make effective use of the word count. Applicants should avoid including hyperlinks, logos and pictures within their application. Diagrams and tables are permitted (any text should be included in the word count for the relevant section).

Scheme requirements & additional information:

Please include only the core team in your application (defined by Advance HE to normally comprise between 3 and 15 key members). Team members can be in any role that contributes to the enhancement of teaching and learning, and may include colleagues working at a branch campus and/or external members working within industry or a partner institution.

Each team should demonstrate direct engagement with higher education students. Although there is no requirement for students to be members of the core team, a team should clearly demonstrate how students are directly engaged in their work. Any student member of the team can be studying or in a representative role.

The team leader must not have an active application for the National Teaching Fellowship scheme running at the same time as an application for CATE.

Team leaders are expected to discuss their application with their School Director of Teaching and Learning/Head of Service, who should be asked to sign the Expression of Interest form prior to submission. This serves to raise awareness within Schools/Services of teaching and learning expertise, to confirm the SDTL/Head of Service’s support for the application and to validate any claims made. A list of applicants will be shared with the Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellors (Education and Student Experience) ahead of each Selection Panel meeting for information.

Successful CATE winners are expected to work with CQSD to provide some mentoring support for future applicants.

Application dates:

Expression of Interest scheme open: This scheme is currently closed.

Closing date for applications: This scheme is currently closed.

Applicants will normally receive the Selection Panel's decision and feedback (usually via email) within four working weeks of the closing date.

If you have any queries or require further information on the University's CATE nominee selection process please contact CQSD-TandL@reading.ac.uk.

Application form:

The Application form will be available when the scheme is open.

Applicants must convert the completed application into one .pdf file and submit this electronically to Martin Wise (m.wise@reading.ac.uk) by 17:00 on the day of the submission deadline.

If you experience any difficulties completing the application form please contact Martin Wise.