The HERDSA Recognition and Development Scheme
The HERDSA Recognition and Development Scheme is designed to recognise higher education teaching and the support of learning and teaching which satisfies a set of quality standards related to a set of criteria. It then builds on that recognition through advanced professional development activities designed to ensure that the standards are maintained and built upon. When you meet the standards of the Scheme, you are awarded a HERDSA Fellowship (FHERDSA).
Summary information
What is the HERDSA Recognition and Development Scheme?
How to Renew your HERDSA Fellowship
Fellowship Handbooks
Registrants Handbook (pdf) | (Word)
Template for Registrants Portfolio (Word)
Handbook for Assessors (pdf) | (Word)
Mentoring Guidelines (pdf) | (Word)
As describing your reflections on your educational practice is an important part of your portfolio, the Fellowship Committee has put together a short paper on reflective practice. Download this Reflective Practice document.
How to apply for a HERDSA Fellowship
If you would like to apply for a HERDSA Fellowship then download the files under ‘Fellowship Handbooks’ above and log into the HERDSA website (remember you need to be a financial member of HERDSA to apply for a Fellowship). You will see an option to register as a ‘Registrant’ for the HERDSA Fellowship. Click this link and fill in the details.
Further information
Teaching and the support of learning and teaching is used to refer to a wide range of activities in higher education which encourage and support learning: conventional higher education courses, on-line and distance education as well as academic development activities, learning support and leadership.
The Scheme is based upon four fundamental values of HERDSA.
- HERDSA places an emphasis on the development and improvement of higher education teaching, leadership, learning and practice. While the Fellowship Scheme recognises standards of quality teaching in higher education, it is first and foremost a professional developmental scheme.
- HERDSA is a scholarly society. Scholarly teaching and the encouragement of scholarship in teaching are fundamental values on which the Fellowship Scheme is based.
- HERDSA is a society founded on the concept of peer interaction. Peer review is a fundamental element of the Fellowship Scheme.
- The Fellowship scheme is by application and is open to individuals working in Higher Education worldwide.
Registrants for the fellowship are required to pay a $250 non refundable fee and prepare an evidence based portfolio which will be peer reviewed by two expert assessors. The total cost is $250.00 (An initial $50.00 registration fee and $200 on submission of your portfolio)
Purposes of the Fellowship Scheme
The purposes of the Scheme are to:
- improve the quality of teaching across the higher education sector and thereby to improve the quality of student learning and academic development outcomes;
- enhance the professionalism of teachers;
- provide a way for universities to recognise and reward those who facilitate high quality learning;
- give individuals a means for making statements about the quality of their professional practice;
- provide opportunities for further professional development in cross-institutional groups;
- enable HERDSA to recognise and reward good teaching through the process of peer review;
- provide a process for critical reflection into teaching practice and the learning process;
- provide a forum for peer evaluation and dialogue; and
- provide a forum for discussion and dissemination of research and scholarship of learning of teaching.
Once a HERDSA Fellowship is awarded, HERDSA Fellows pay an annual fee of $50 in addition to normal HERDSA membership and are entitled to utilise the acronym ‘FHERDSA’ to demonstrate publicly achievements in learning and teaching practice and/or leadership.
HERDSA Fellows will have the opportunity to join a professional development triad and are eligible to attend special HERDSA Fellowship events.
