Invested in excellence: evaluating the impact of internal funding on pedagogical development and collaboration in higher education

Illingworth, Sam

Abstract

This study explores the impact of internal funding on the development of scholarship in learning and teaching within a post-92 Scottish higher education institution. Employing a qualitative survey approach, this research engaged sixteen principal investigators from internally funded learning and teaching projects to understand how such funding influences academic practices. Through thematic analysis, four key themes emerged: enhancement of pedagogical skills, fostering of interdisciplinary collaboration, administrative challenges, and the integration of students as partners. The findings illustrate that internal funding significantly bolsters pedagogical capabilities, facilitating the adoption of innovative teaching strategies and nurturing broader academic collaborations. Based on these insights, the paper suggests three strategic recommendations for enhancing the efficacy of funding processes: refining support for project management, simplifying administrative procedures, and strengthening frameworks for student involvement in projects. These recommendations aim to optimise the benefits of internal funding, so that it better supports educational advancements in higher education.

Citation

Illingworth, S. (online). Invested in excellence: evaluating the impact of internal funding on pedagogical development and collaboration in higher education. Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education, https://doi.org/10.1080/13603108.2024.2406305

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 13, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Sep 25, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 1, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2024
• Print ISSN: 1360-3108
• Electronic ISSN: 1460-7018
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603108.2024.2406305
• Keywords: Internal funding, pedagogical enhancement, academic collaboration, student partnership