FLAIR CPD Scheme - Applying for Fellowship
Unlike the APP which is comprised of taught components, the CPD scheme is aimed at colleagues who already have the foundational knowledge and experience necessary to submit a successful independent application.
As a colleague at an accredited institution the cost of your individual application is covered by the University. One of the benefits of institutional accreditation is that we are able to structure the scheme so that it is operated by peers; teaching and learning experts sharing expertise and knowledge across the institution.
We have also made a number of resources available to support your application. You will find a number of asynchronous guidance documents within the Applicant Support pack as well as a number of opportunities to access feedback through one to one meetings.
While we support you in the process of articulating your experience in relation to the PSF and the criteria at your chosen category of Fellowship, it is important to remember that the application is written independently.
Who can apply?
All colleagues with experience of teaching and/or supporting learning in Higher Education can apply for professional recognition through the scheme at D1-D3.
This is not limited to those in traditional academic roles and we welcome applications across the professional services whose roles include a teaching component. It also includes colleagues seeking an additional category of Fellowship to the one they currently hold. Principal Fellowship (D4) is not covered. Colleagues considering D4 Fellowship must make an application direct to Advance HE.
The Professional Standards Framework
The Professional Standards Framework 2023 (PSF 2023) provides a comprehensive set of standards and guidelines for all those involved in teaching and supporting learning in Higher Education. It also presents a set of criteria against which all applications will be assessed. All applications and subsequent reviews are aligned to the criteria and the dimensions of the PSF.
The Framework is relaunched in 2024 at the University of Reading. As of September 2024 the PSF replaces the UKPSF which had previously underpinned all Fellowship judgements since 2011.
The updated framework streamlines the process. It is intended to provide the basis for applications to be structured and reviewed as professional conversations, embedded in the applicants specific disciplinary context.
Timelines
There are a number of submission windows throughout the year which you can find on the key dates page.
Once you submit an application it will be considered by the next scheduled panel. Applications are assigned to a pair of reviewers who independently assess the application. This is followed by a face-to-face panel, arranged at a convenient time for reviewers 2-4 weeks after the submission deadline. Decisions sometimes require negotiation which can necessitate a second panel, or a third review. These decisions are then aligned to feedback from an external moderator. We then conclude by writing comprehensive feedback; both for successful applications and referrals. This is something that we consider to be valuable for the development of our colleagues and as an accredited institution we are committed to resourcing.
The November 2024 panel is the first to use the relaunched PSF. The majority of applications made from September 2024 onwards should use the new Framework. We are able to consider a small number of UKPSF applications for candidates that have completed applications ready for submission. However, due to resource implications this is necessarily at the schemes discretion. We recommend using the PSF but if this presents a significant challenge please contact Aaron and Lisa in advance.