Dr Noel McGuirk has recently been awarded Senior Fellow status at Advance HE, which meets the requirements of one of the four Descriptors of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF). The UKPSF has been developed as a ‘standards framework’ for the higher education sector that sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours demonstrated by those teaching and/or supporting higher education learning.

In order to reach the standard of Senior Fellow, Noel was able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning, as well as demonstrating impact and influence on other colleagues.

Professor Michael Doherty, the Associate Head of School and the lead for student experience, has congratulated Noel on this fantastic achievement. 'Attaining a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy is a significant achievement. It follows a rigorous assessment process and recognises experienced higher education academics who have developed effective and innovative teaching practices and who have had a positive impact and influence on their colleagues. Dr McGuirk is an outstanding law teacher who fully deserves this award. His work in providing guidance and support to colleagues in moving to online and hybrid teaching during the pandemic is just one facet of his reflective and generous approach to supporting great teaching.’