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Introduction
The new, revised Professional Standards Framework (PSF) was published by Advance HE in the United Kingdom in 2023. The framework recognises university teachers’ contribution to teaching and learning through a framework that allows eligible staff to apply for four categories of Fellowship – Associate Fellowship (D1), Fellowship (D2), Senior Fellowship (D3) and Principal Fellowship (D4).
Since January 2020, HKU has run the HKU Advance HE Fellowship Scheme accredited by Advance HE in the UK. This means that instead of applying directly to Advance HE, HKU staff and students can apply via the local scheme where trained colleagues will assess their applications.
Fellowship of Advance HE is an official recognition of teaching and supporting students, and in some Higher Education Institutions – particularly in the UK – Fellowship is regarded as a teaching qualification in the tertiary sector. There are currently well over 170,000 Fellows globally.
Our local scheme is sustained by a group of dedicated colleagues from across faculties who volunteer to act as critical friends/mentors for applicants and also as reviewers (assessors) of applications.
HKU Advance HE Fellowship Scheme
HKU Advance HE Fellowship Scheme normally has two intakes annually – one in January and one in May. Applicants are expected to submit their completed teaching portfolios/applications by the designated time frame after registering on the scheme. In order to support applicants in compiling their teaching portfolios/applications, TALIC offers workshops and writing seminars. Applicants will also be offered a critical friend/mentor to read through their final draft and provide feedback.
Once applicants have submitted their portfolios/applications and supporting statement(s), the scheme coordinator will distribute the submission to reviewers from outside the applicant’s faculty. All portfolios/applications are reviewed by TWO independent reviewers. All portfolios/applications are assessed against the Professional Standards Framework (PSF). Once reviewers agree on an outcome, the outcome is forwarded to the scheme coordinator.
Possible outcomes are:- Approved – the applicant will be awarded Fellowship.
- Revise and resubmit – the application does not quite meet the standards. The applicant will receive feedback on what needs to be addressed and will have two weeks to resubmit. Once resubmitted, the application will go back to the two original reviewers for a final outcome of approved or not approved. If a re-submission is not approved, the applicant will be invited to apply by the next deadline.
- Not approved – the application is deemed not to meet the required standards.
The external reviewer will read all D3 applications and 20% of all D1 and D2 applications.
All outcomes are ratified at the review panel and Fellowships awarded to successful candidates.
Currently, the external reviewer/examiner for the HKU Advance HE Fellowship Scheme is Dr. Tina Byrom, Head of Enhanced Academic Practice, Loughborough University.