CU.til Online Staff Development Festival

18  August - 9:30 - 13:00

Organiser : Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Research-based learning is a way of strengthening the connection between “teaching” and research, whilst simultaneously fostering students’ capacity for independent learning. It provides students with a first research experience and helps them to develop research skills. In this workshop we introduce research-based learning as a pedagogical framework by outlining both theoretical foundations and practical applications across diverse teaching environments. 

During the 2 days we will focus on the practical implementation of research-based learning and the associated tasks and challenges. In this workshop, you will explore in depth the role of the lecturer in research-based learning: how to support students’ research processes, motivate students in this context, and ensure successful collaborative work.

Through specific recommendations and accompanying practical exercises, you will have the opportunity to design your own courses to help you get started with research-based learning. 

This workshop is particularly useful for teaching staff who are in the process of developing or re-designing a taught class or module and would like to receive feedback on their course outlines. (Upon request, we can also cater for teams looking to strengthen the connection between research, teaching and learning in a degree programme).
 

8 September - 9:30 - 13:00

Organiser : Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

This workshop addresses challenges and opportunities presented by synchronous hybrid settings. Together, we will explore what defines hybrid teaching and scenarios in which hybrid formats can be effectively applied.

Participants will become familiar with strategies, methods, and tools to purposefully support the planning and execution of hybrid events. Practical tips will help create inclusive hybrid environments and foster connections among participants.

The 2-day workshop conveys core concepts and models of hybrid teaching, enabling participants to experience the learner’s perspective through practical insights, and supports the development of individual hybrid teaching scenarios in collaboration with colleagues from the Circle U. network.

21 September - 16:00 - 17:30

This 1.5 hour workshop provides tools and reflection spaces for (aspiring) educational leaders grappling with the multiple pressures of desiging high-quality educational offerings supporting students to develop the skills for the future in the current higher education landscape.

Programme design requires extensive collaboration, yet Higher Education lacks effective methods for integrating the perspectives of students, staff, employers and other stakeholders. 

Recent developments in human‑centred design for Higher Education offer a promising set of tools and methods to achieve this. Academic leadership plays a central role in this process – in particular the values and challenges of integrating strategic education priorities, resourcing decisions and working across teams and with internal and external stakeholders.

We will explore how educational leaders can build collaborative approaches to curriculum and programme development that are sustainable, inclusive, and impactful. Participants will consider the principles of distributed leadership, and identify the resources needed to support long-term collaboration. Through a practical activity, attendees will share strategies for embedding key curriculum themes, such as education for sustainability, intercultural and multidisciplinary teamworking, and responsible artificial intelligence.

Participants will leave with a concrete action they can take to advance curriculum design within their own context and/or for a Circle U offering.

Speakers: Charlotte Haberstroh & Rebecca Lindner, King's College London
 

25 September - 09:00 - 12:30

Organiser : UCLouvain

This one‑day workshop is designed for educators, trainers and academic developers who want to create meaningful, reusable, and impactful Open Educational Resources.

Throughout the day, you will explore your own needs as an OER author and learn how to identify what truly matters to your target audience. You will experiment with reusing and adapting existing resources, and discover how to confidently publish your own. The training blends short, hands‑on activities with practical insights on Creative Commons licensing, OER platforms, support types, and more. 

Whether you are new to OER and Open Education or looking to refine your practice, this session will equip you with the confidence, mindset and tools to help you design resources that are both pedagogically sound and openly shareable.