Effective Learning Adviser for the College of Arts and Humanities

Job Purpose

As a Learning Adviser you will deliver centrally effective, efficient services to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students within the College of Arts and Humanities; to develop students’ academic literacies; to support students within the College of Arts and Humanities to become motivated, effective, independent learners. You will generate innovative solutions to provide bespoke, academic literacies advice and to evaluate quality and impact of academic skills provision. Furthermore, you will be the lead contact for Student Learning Development for the College of Arts and Humanities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Collaborate with colleagues across SLD, to support the implementation of the University’s Learning & Teaching Strategy (especially within the areas of Graduate Attributes, Widening Access & Retention, Assessment and Feedback and, where relevant, technology enhanced learning & teaching).

2.       Design, develop and deliver a range of learning activities to enhance undergraduate and postgraduate taught students’ academic literacies and effective learner skills in the College of Arts and Humanities.

3.      Initiate, develop and maintain collaborative relationships with: (1) academic staff as appropriate, including Chief Advisers, Advisers of Study, and course coordinators (2) colleagues in other Services including English as a Foreign Language Unit, Disability Service, the Learning Innovation Support Unit, and Counselling and Psychological Services; (3) Student Representative Council VP Learning & Development; to support students to become motivated, effective, independent learners

4.      Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Student Learning Development team to develop and expand the use of online resources to enhance student writing and learning development.

5.      Design, develop and deliver a relevant and up to date academic literacies and effective learner programme of workshops/courses, and promote these to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students and to staff in line with College remit.

6.      Offer tailored advice and effective guidance through providing individual appointments to any undergraduate and postgraduate taught student in the College of Arts and Humanities to facilitate reflection on and development of their own academic literacies.

7.      Collaborate with the Head of Student Learning Development, the Deputy Head(s) of Student Learning Development, and other members of the team in the implementation of new schemes, programmes and courses to enhance students’ academic literacies.

8.      Raise the profile of the Student Learning Development team within the University to maximise staff and students’ use of the service

9.       To sit on relevant Committees, Working Groups and Project teams related to student learning in order to inform student academic literacies provision across the University.

10.    To contribute to the CPD provision for staff (as appropriate) and to contribute to ongoing scholarship of learning and teaching.

11.     Engage with and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of national and international developments in student learning development in Higher Education e.g. through engagement with the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee’s Quality Enhancement Themes and other similar bodies

12.   Engage in appropriate scholarly activity to enhance your own and others’ practices and to disseminate and publish this where appropriate.

13.     Actively participate in supporting the SLD to become a centre of excellence which is recognised throughout the sector for quality enhancement, innovation, and responsiveness to stakeholders’ needs.

14.     Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

15.     Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Deputy Head(s) and/or Head of Student Learning Development.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 A good first degree and higher degree

A2 An authoritative and up to date knowledge and understanding of the current teaching, learning and assessment practice with regards to Arts and Humanities students

A3 An understanding of Quality Enhancement and Academic Standards in Higher Education

A4 An up to date knowledge and understanding of the major issues relating to student learning in Higher Education, particularly in relation to the College remit

A5 Familiarity with virtual learning environments A6 Working knowledge of relevant software packages and the internet and the ability to use them effectively in support of their work

Desirable:

B1 PhD or relevant professional experience

B2 Understanding of the role of technology in supporting student learning B3 Fellowship or Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy/Recognising Excellence in Teaching (RET) framework

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

C2 Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective relationships with students and staff both inside and outside the University

C3 The organisational, planning and administrative ability to handle a range of projects and activities simultaneously, timeously, and effectively

C4 Able to deal professionally, sensitively and tactfully with students

C5 Ability to work in a sensitive, ethical and legal manner with students in accordance with all relevant legislation

C6 Ability to assist in the design, production of publicity materials for the service and to disseminate these

C7 Ability to work collaboratively and responsibly as a member of various teams e.g. the Student Learning Development team and/or when a member of a Working Group

C8 Ability to design courses and produce creative learning materials to support the development of academic skills in students

C9 Self-motivation and the ability to work independently with minimum supervision

C10 Ability to use influencing skills when working with others to make service improvements

Desirable:

D1 Website and/or Virtual Learning Environment design skills

Experience

Essential:

E1 Relevant experience of teaching and/or supporting learners in an Arts and Humanities discipline in the Higher Education sector or evidence of progression and development gained through more substantial relevant work experience

E2 Experience of using current literature to inform professional practice

E3 Experience of working with staff and students in multifunctional teams

E4 Experience of course administration, design and development

E5 Experience of delivering workshops, seminars, conducting one-to-one and small group discussions, and delivering presentations

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed term until 31-Jul-2026.

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.