A Field Guide to Working in Higher Education: Transitioning from Professional Practice to Academia

Higher education has had a long and growing association with professional practice. Yet the need to unpack and demystify the day-to-day workings has never been greater, especially for new pracademics - academics entering from professional practice.

Mapped to the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023) and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), this invaluable guide will help you navigate your new academic career, covering all key aspects to support a successful transition. Key features include the following:

• Hints, tips, narratives, and examples from experienced pracademics from a diverse and broad range of professions and higher education institutions
• Support and guidance on the academic role, teaching, learning and assessment, supporting students, researching and supervision, academic well-being, and continuing professional development.
• A ’go-to’ Learning Activity Compilation.
• Practical strategies and guidance to swiftly adapt to your academic practices
• A detailed glossary to quickly locate key terms

Packed full of practical guidance, this go-to guide will act as the perfect companion to help you navigate through your new pracademic career. It is essential reading for anyone taking part in an accredited academic initial professional development programme, as well as those more experienced academics who want to refresh their knowledge and understanding.

Dr Mary Kitchener is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Development at Oxford Centre for Academic Enhancement and Development at Oxford Brookes University. Here she has held responsibilities for the postgraduate certificate in Learning and Teaching, the Introduction to teaching for doctoral students’, and for leading the teaching fellowship programme.