Dr Eliot Wright

Summary

Strategic leadership of access into higher education courses. Responsible for expanding access into university and widening participation. A key member of the Faculty of Education's senior leadership team sitting in committees and working groups such as the Educational Leadership Team; the Faculty Management Board and the Faculty's Learning, Teaching and Assessment steering group. Previously responsible for the university's Language Centre in which I drove innovation by expanding a portfolio of programmes, including MA TESOL, foundation programmes, foreign languages and British Sign Language. I support the university's transnational higher education initiatives and work with the International Office of matters related to international student recruitment.. I am responsible for the line management and professional development of a team of academic and professional services staff under my leadership.

Main Achievements

• Led university representation in transnational higher education strategy development and played an integral role in international student recruitment initiatives.
• Led revalidation of the International Foundation Programme to create two new four-year integrated degrees with foundation programmes. This significantly boosted home and international student enrolments.
• Increased MA TESOL enrolment twofold through innovative admissions, marketing, and recruitment strategies development and execution.
• Enhanced student employability by forming partnership that provides MA TESOL students with practical teaching experience at local refugee and asylum support centre.
• Initiated British Sign Language (BSL) instruction at Edge Hill University, elevating employability prospects for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and reinforcing university’s dedication to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
• Broadened university’s foreign language offerings, enhancing taught languages from six to eight in response to student demand and interest.
• Selected as external examiner for University of Nottingham’s MA TESOL programmes spanning UK, China, and Malaysia campuses.

Summary

Provided strategic oversight for University Pathway Programmes, ensuring effective team leadership. Developed International Foundation Programme that equipped students with crucial academic literacies. Partnered with Aston and Cranfield Universities for enhanced quality assurance of programmes.
Performed annual reviews of the university's Pathway Programmes to ensure compliance with educational standards. Chaired pathway programme boards, monitoring student progression effectively. Conducted recruitment and performance management of pathway faculty to ensure teaching excellence.
Launched Postgraduate Pre-sessional Programme with endorsement from Cranfield University. Facilitated Learning and Teaching committee activities, delivering reports on programme outcomes.

Main Achievements

• Developed an academically rigorous International Foundation Programme recognised by multiple UK universities.
• Executed progression and articulation agreements with established institutions to facilitate student pathways.
• Secured over one million pounds through knowledge exchange projects and successful British Council tender for IELTS testing centre space rental.
• Integral contributor to University Academic Senate, Learning and Teaching Committee, and Academic Affairs and Quality Management Committees.
• Established PG Pre-sessional Programme authorised by Cranfield University as pathway to MSc programmes offered at Muscat University.
• Led University through Oman Government Quality Assurance review of Pathway Programme.
• Achieved status as Oman Academic Accreditation Authority QA reviewer.

Summary

Directed all activities related to partnership setup with Hebei University, ensuring adherence to UCLan and UK higher education governance. Prepared monthly updates for Deputy Vice Chancellor International on partnership matters. Oversaw foundation year curriculum management and assessment processes. Ensured thorough verification and moderation of course assessments per UCLan standards. Recruited academic staff for teaching levels 4-6. Promoted ongoing professional development initiatives for UCLan and Hebei University staff. Established connections with businesses in Hebei province and Beijing area.

Main Achievements

• Led the university through a successful course validation based on the partner campus.
• Main partnership lead in a successful UK Higher Education Review Audit in the partnership’s inauguration year.
• Facilitated the articulation of Chinese students from the first 2014 15 cohort to undertake levels 5-6 (UG Year 2 & 3) at the UCLan campus.
• Set up and put in place all the UCLan academic requirements on the partner university e.g., the Academic Board, programme exam boards, reassessment procedures etc.
• A member of UCLan’s International Strategy Group.
• Introduced subject-specific content modules to the foundation programme which was previously only focused on English language development.

Summary

Directed operations of UNNC in-sessional ASU and Self-Access Centre, managing both teams effectively. Established English language workshops and lectures through collaboration with faculty academics. Oversaw recruitment and CPD initiatives for more than 80 EAP and content-specialist staff. Acted as representative for CELE in all matters related to UNNC Careers Development. Developed commercial English language projects such as ESP and teacher training programmes. Worked alongside UNNC Director of Knowledge Exchange to formulate comprehensive economic costings for projects. Engaged with Head of CELE on daily departmental management issues. Contributed to exam boards and led student academic misconduct meetings.

Main Achievements

• Led the in-sessional Academic Support Unit (ASU) which saw record numbers of student use under my leadership.
• Deputized as the centre Head whilst the Head was on a research sabbatical. Leading 80+ English language and subject-specific tutors and managing the Centre budget.
• Exceeded expectations in my annual performance review.
• Initiated and led a Graduate Teaching Assistant training programme which ensured all GTAs were given teacher training before commencing teaching.
• Initiated and led UNNC’s first academic support programme for PhD students.
• Exceeded expectations in my annual professional development performance review.

Main Achievements

• Initiated and led UNNC’s first summer Pre-sessional. This dramatically increased the number of post-graduate students at the university as well providing further revenue.
• Exceeded expectations in my annual performance review in both years as a senior tutor.
• Introduced new recording software (Echo 360 Personal Capture) to the university for the recording of assessed presentation and lectures. This enhanced marking reliability e.g. 2nd marking of assessed presentations and was useful for blended and flipped learning.
• First CELE Senior Tutor to use online marking – Grade Mark - for assessment feedback.
• Responsible for: Module convening UG EAP Courses: English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP) Arts & Social Sciences; UG and PG Academic Oral Presentations. Curriculum development and material creation, writing syllabi and assessments and the standardization and moderation of EAP tutors. Creating and analysing student evaluation and tutor evaluation of modules. Managing the above modules’ Moodle (VLE) site and using Turnitin and GradeMark for online assessment. Leading 40+ tutors teaching on the above modules. Obtaining and leading all commercial English language projects at CELE UNNC.

• Responsible for: Teaching EAP modules: Reading & Writing and Listening & Speaking, Academic Oral Presentations, and ESAP. The assessment of students on the above courses.

• Responsible for: The academic management of large language schools in Poland. The recruitment and CPD of all teaching staff. The development of commercial initiatives for the school e.g. in-company teaching and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The development of curriculum, teaching materials and assessments. The management of EFL and ESP EU-funded projects.

• Responsible for: Teaching EAP on the university’s Pre-sessional for International Business Students.