Two academics from the University have been recognised at the highest level for their contribution to high quality student learning and teaching. 

Dr Stephen Corbett and Amy Barlow have both been awarded Principal Fellowships of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) for their sustained record of effective strategic leadership in academic practice and academic development.

 

Dr Stephen Corbett smiling

Stephen was awarded his Principal Fellowship in recognition of his leadership and innovation in Initial Teacher Training for Further Education staff and Service Leavers with excellent impacts on trainee teachers. Stephen’s thoughtful leadership was recognised by Ofsted when the Further Education Teacher Training provision was graded Outstanding, which also shows his genuine passion for excellent Initial Teacher Education and his commitment to support those he manages and teaches.

 

Stephen said: “I am incredibly pleased to have been awarded the Principal Fellowship. During my time working in education, I feel very fortunate to work with colleagues in both further and higher education sectors. I have and will continue to learn so much from those I work with. This award is a result of the support, guidance and tutorage I have received from many colleagues over the course of my career to date for which I am very grateful.”

 

Stephen was also the recipient of a National Teaching Fellowship last year for his outstanding impact on teacher training.

Amy Barlow

Head of Academic Development in the Department of Curriculum and Quality Enhancement

Amy Barlow

Amy’s Principal Fellowship was awarded as recognition for strategic leadership, influencing change in universities through working in partnership with Student Unions, Information Technology Departments, and Quality Assurance offices. Amy has done this successfully to ensure that her innovative approach to assessment and curriculum design ‘sticks’. It is her whole institution approach which has marked her out as a Principal Fellow. 

 

Amy said "I am happy to receive this recognition and look forward to supporting many other colleagues to join the Principal Fellowship community at Portsmouth which is steadily growing".

 

Amy was also awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2019 for championing staff-student partnership, active learning, and meaningful assessment.

 

Dr Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Dean of Learning and Teaching, said: “In achieving Principal Fellow status, Stephen and Amy have demonstrated their commitment to excellent teaching and learning and dedication to enhancing the student learning experience. The University’s growing number of Principal Fellows is fantastic evidence of the outstanding teaching community at our institution.”

Growing number of Principal Fellows at the University

Stephen and Amy join a total of 12 Principal Fellows currently at the University:

 

  • Valerie Anderson, Professor in Human Resources Development in the Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management Department

  • Ale Armellini, Dean of Digital and Distributed Learning

  • Amy Barlow, Head of Academic Development

  • Catherine Caroll-Meehan, Head of the School of Education and Sociology

  • Stephen Corbett, Head of the School of Education, Languages and Linguistics 

  • Jane Creaton, Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences 

  • Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Dean of Learning and Teaching 

  • Mick Harper, Reader in Innovative Teaching and Learning in the School of Health and Care Professions

  • Sherria Hoskins, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health

  • Catherine McNamara, Head of the School of Art Design and Performance

  • Lynne Mesher, Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries and Principal Lecturer in the School of Architecture

  • Jenny Walden, Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Technology

Portsmouth Principal Fellow Network

The Portsmouth Principal Fellow Network provides support and mentoring to both existing and aspiring Principal Fellows.

Colleagues who are working towards becoming HEA-recognised Principal Fellows are invited to get in touch with the network via pfhea@port.ac.uk. Support to develop applications is also available from the Academic Development team in DCQE.

In addition, a peer support group on AdvanceHE’s Connect platform is available for those interested in finding out about Principal Fellowship, or in the process of completing their application, from across the sector.