At this first session in 2025 for the Knowledge, Attainment and Pedagogy Working Group we are delighted to welcome Dr Eileen Pollard from Manchester Metropolitan University. Eileen will explore the development and implementation of the Curriculum Design for Addressing Awarding Gaps framework at Manchester Met. The framework is structured around three core questions: who are your students? how are you assessing them? what kind of graduate do you want to produce? It was designed in response to work at Manchester Met to address ethnicity awarding gaps but the approach, which draws on the work of Paul Ashwin and colleagues, can be applied to improve learning and teaching approaches for any marginalised groups.

Eileen Pollard previously worked as a Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Chester and then as a Learner Developer at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has over ten years experience teaching in HE and she joined the University Teaching Academy at Manchester Met in February 2022. She has published on teaching and learning practice, including in the THE and Wonkhe, as well as in journal articles, blogs and podcasts, and she is an Associate Editor at the Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice. One of her proudest achievements to date is her TEDx on ‘Teaching English Using Compassion’, which has been viewed over 10,000 times on youtube. Eileen is a Relational and Critical Pedagogue who is passionate about widening participation in and access to HE, and she is committed to the values of equity, social justice and anti-racism becoming behaviours across campuses.

The session will include time for reflection and discussion.

This event will take place from 14.00 pm – 15.30 pm online.