Series 1: Mapping Education-Focused Careers
Welcome to Series 1 of the Education-Focused Career Narratives podcast. This series shines a spotlight on the unique journeys of education-focused staff in higher education, exploring the roles, responsibilities, and experiences of professionals at different stages of their careers.
From associate lecturer to professor, each episode provides an overview of the types of work education-focused academics get involved in, the challenges they face, and the rewards they find along the way. Through these conversations, we’ll uncover the variety of journeys within education-focused careers.
To wrap up the series, we bring together two education-focused academics at different stages of their careers, alongside a colleague from staff development, for a reflective conversation. This final episode looks back at the insights shared throughout the series, offering a space to discuss what education-focused careers mean, how they evolve, and how we can continue to support those pursuing this vital work in higher education.
Whether you’re already on an education-focused pathway or simply curious about this rewarding career track, this series offers valuable insights and reflections from across the profession. Let’s get started!
(Please note that some of the topics discussed in this first series are more relevant to education-focused staff particularly at the University of St Andrews. With this being the case, this first series is only available to staff at St Andrews. The podcasts are available to listen to via Panopto – links provided below – and you will have to sign into your University account to access them. It is intended that the following series will widen discussion to the role of education-focused staff across the sector, and so the following series will be available to all).
To listen, click the podcast episode titles below:
Podcast 1: Prof. Eoin Jordan (Professor – Education-Focused; Senior Co-Director, IELLI)
In this episode, I sit down with Professor Eoin Jordan, an education-focused academic with nearly 20 years of experience in higher education across the UK, Japan, and China. Eoin shares his career journey, from his early days in language teaching to his current leadership role at the University of St Andrews. Together, we explore themes of professional identity, leadership in education, and the evolving role of education-focused academics. Eoin offers thoughtful insights into balancing teaching, research, and service, as well as valuable advice for those forging a career on an education-focused track. Whether you’re new to academia or a seasoned professional, this conversation is filled with relatable experiences and practical tips to inspire and inform your journey.
Access S1E1 through Panopto
Eoin Jordan
The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute
Senior Co-Director, Professor (Education-Focused)
Eoin Jordan
The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute
Senior Co-Director, Professor (Education-Focused)
- [email protected]
Podcast 2: Dr Anna Smith (Associate-Lecturer – Education-Focused, School of Psychology and Neuroscience)
Today, I sit down with Anna Smith, associate lecturer (education-focused) in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, about her journey into an education-focused academic career. Anna shares insights into the formal and informal learning experiences that have shaped her teaching practice, highlighting how these experiences as well as pedagogical scholarship, have helped her become a reflective practitioner. Alongside this, we explore the evolving nature of professional identity in education-focused roles, the challenges and rewards of balancing disciplinary expertise with a commitment to teaching, and the significance of fostering a sense of community amongst education-focused staff. Anna also discusses the impact of publishing scholarship of teaching and learning, not only as a means of personal development but as a way to contribute to a broader academic conversation. This rich and engaging discussion offers valuable perspectives on the realities of an education-focused career. So, whether you’re considering an education-focused role or simply interested in the evolving landscape of academic careers, this episode provides thought-provoking insights and practical reflections.
Access S1E2 through Panopto
Anna Smith
School of Psychology and Neuroscience
Associate Lecturer (Education-Focused)
- [email protected]
Podcast 3: Dr Stefan O’Grady (Lecturer – Education-Focused, IELLI)
In this episode, I talk with Dr Stefan O’Grady who is an education-focused lecturer in Academic English and TESOL. Unlike many academics who transition into teaching after a research-intensive path, Stefan’s journey has been shaped by his early experiences as an English language teacher, leading him to pursue a PhD not as an academic pursuit, but as a means of becoming a better educator. Stefan reflects on the ways his background in language testing, statistics, and applied linguistics have influenced his teaching, and the tensions that arise when navigating different academic traditions and expectations. Our conversation explores themes of professional identity, the intersections of research and teaching, and the challenges of finding one’s academic ‘tribe’ in an interdisciplinary space such as language testing. This episode is a thought-provoking reflection on how we define expertise in teaching and learning, and the importance of fostering intellectual curiosity beyond disciplinary boundaries.
Access S1E3 through Panopto
Stefan O-Grady
The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute
Lecturer (Education-Focused)
Stefan O-Grady
The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute
Lecturer (Education-Focused)
- [email protected]
Podcast 4: Dr Sharon Leahy (Senior-Lecturer – Education-Focused; Associate Dean of Education – Science, School of Geography and Sustainable Development)
In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Leahy, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development. Sharon is also a former Director of Teaching, Pro-Dean Curriculum and is currently Associate Dean Students within the Faculties of Science and Medicine. In this episode, we speak about career progression and leadership and ambition beyond teaching—how embracing leadership, strategy, and institutional influence can expand what it means to be an education-focused academic. Sharon reflects on her early career and the transition from precarious Teaching Fellow contracts to the more stable education-focused lecturer roles that now provide a foundation for professional growth. Sharon also challenges the assumption that Scholarship of Teaching and Learning must be central to an education-focused identity, advocating for space to engage in disciplinary research alongside pedagogical inquiry. This conversation highlights the value of visible role models, the need for inclusive communities of educators, and the many ways an education-focused career can develop. Whether you’re on an education-focused contract or simply passionate about teaching, this episode offers thoughtful insights into career development in higher education.
Access S1E4 through Panopto
Sharon Leahy
School of Geography and Sustainable Development
Dean of Education – Science, Senior Lecturer (Education-Focused)
Sharon Leahy
School of Geography and Sustainable Development
Dean of Education – Science, Senior Lecturer (Education-Focused)
- [email protected]
Podcast 5: Reflective Discussion with Dr Heather McKiggan-Fee (Head of Educational Development) and Dr Paula Miles (Senior Lecturer – Education-Focused, School of Psychology & Neuroscience)
Welcome to the final episode of our series, where we take a step back to reflect on the key themes, concepts, and experiences we’ve explored. Joining us for this conversation is Paula Miles, a senior lecturer in psychology and neuroscience, former Director of Teaching, and an education-focused academic. Alongside her, we have Heather McKiggan-Fee, Head of Education Development, bringing insights from a staff development perspective. In the final episode of the podcast series on education-focused career narratives at St Andrews, Heather McEachin Fee and Paula Miles discuss the evolution of the education-focused role. Heather highlights the leadership of Vice Principal Education (Proctor), Education-Focused Professor Clare Peddie, in creating a clear career path for education-focused staff. Paula shares her journey from part-time demonstrator to senior lecturer, emphasizing the flexibility and varied routes available. They stress the importance of mentoring, community building, and attending events to foster a sense of belonging. Both agree on the need for continued support and recognition to ensure education-focused staff feel valued and integrated into the institution.
Access S1E5 through Panopto
Paula Miles
School of Psychology and Neuroscience
Senior Lecturer (Education-Focused)
- [email protected]
Heather McKiggan-Fee
IELLI
head of Education Development; Programme Director: PGCert in Academic Practice
Heather McKiggan-Fee
IELLI
head of Education Development; Programme Director: PGCert in Academic Practice
- [email protected]
Podcast 6: Bonus Episode – Dr Sandhya Duggal (Lecturer – Education-Focused, School of Medicine)
In this episode of Higher Education Career Narratives, we sit down with Dr Sandhya Duggal, a lecturer in the School of Medicine, to explore her journey into an education-focused role and the unique challenges and rewards that come with it.
Throughout our conversation, Sandhya offers insights into the often hidden work that education-focused staff undertake. While teaching is the most visible aspect of the role, she highlights the extensive preparation, curriculum development, and strategic planning that underpin effective student learning. We also discuss the importance of mentorship for education-focused staff, particularly the value of being supported by other education-focused colleagues who understand the nuances of this career path.
One of the most compelling themes that emerged in our discussion was the nature of expertise in higher education. During the interview, we reflect on how expertise is often framed in terms of disciplinary research, but for education-focused staff, expertise extends beyond a single discipline. Curriculum design, pedagogical innovation, and problem-solving are all key components of our work, making education-focused academics the systems analysts of higher education—constantly identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that teaching and learning environments are as effective as possible.
We also explore how Sandhya transitioned into this role from a research-intensive background, her thoughts on the differences between education-focused and research-focused career paths, and the misconceptions that sometimes exist about what education-focused staff actually do.
Whether you’re considering an education-focused career, currently working in higher education, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of academic careers, this episode provides valuable reflections on professional identity, career progression, and the essential but often unseen work of education-focused staff.
🎧 Tune in as we uncover the realities of education-focused careers—one narrative at a time.
Access podcast through Panopto
