UK academic to head student learning at Uni of Adelaide

Friday, 13 March 2015

A leading international higher education academic has been appointed to the new role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning) at the University of Adelaide.

Professor Philippa Levy, currently Deputy Chief Executive (Academic) at the Higher Education Academy in the UK, will take up the position at Adelaide in early April.

The executive position has been created to help drive a more integrated approach to the unique education experience at the University of Adelaide, according to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic), Professor Pascale Quester.

"We are very focused on a distinct learning proposition that encompasses all aspects of university life," Professor Quester said. "The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning) is at the centre of that agenda and will be responsible for developing and implementing the University's education strategy, including the delivery of student-centric teaching, experiential learning opportunities and global learning pathways.

"Professor Levy’s work in the UK has captured the essence of a new paradigm in teaching based squarely on student inquiry and research.  This is very much in line with what we are doing through our own small-group discovery experience at Adelaide," she said.

Professor Levy said she was impressed with the University of Adelaide’s plans to transform the learning experience and the organisation’s longstanding commitment to co-creation with the student community.

"Student expectations today are vastly different to a decade, or even five years ago," said Professor Levy.  "Universities now have an enormous challenge to find the most effective innovation in both technology and curriculum.  Students want much more for their education dollar so it’s absolutely critical that our teachers have the skills and support to deliver an outstanding, world-class education.

"I am looking forward tremendously to working with the University of Adelaide academic staff and students and to being part of that transformation in teaching and learning," she said.

Alongside her current role at the Higher Education Academy, Professor Levy is Professor of Higher Education Development at the University of Sheffield, where she previously was Head of the Information School.  This followed five years as Director of a national Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning where she led a major program on learning and teaching approaches based on student inquiry and research.

Professor Levy holds a Bachelor’s degree in French and Drama from the University of Birmingham, a Master of Arts in French Literature and Society from the University of Warwick and a Master of Arts in Librarianship from the University of Sheffield.  She earned her PhD, which focused on the use of new digital technologies in higher education, from the University of Sheffield.

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