Professional insight from University of the West of Scotland

UWS aims to have a transformational influence on the economic, social and cultural development of the west of Scotland and beyond through our career-focused learning and teaching, world-leading research and innovation supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals combined with our international outlook and commitment to widening participation.

University of the West of Scotland campus

A small human with a sword and a shield attempts to fight a giant robot

Police a losing battle or teach students to think clearly? The choice is ours

Instead of trying to detect and ban AI, let’s teach students to interrogate it. Find five ways to embed critical AI literacy

Naeem Ramzan, Shahid Awan

University of the West of Scotland

Students laugh together

Build a supportive learning community for graduate apprentices

Graduate apprentices are often split between campus and workplace, their status between student and employee. Here’s how to foster psychological safety between cohorts

Gary Gillon, Alan MacDonald, Elaine Jackson

University of the West of Scotland

Research participants sit together in a circle

Six questions researchers should ask before assigning pseudonyms

It might seem like a routine step in research but choosing participants’ pseudonyms can be an uncertain, unsettling process. Here’s how to approach it thoughtfully

Eileen Harkess-Murphy, Rachel Allen

University of the West of Scotland

A woman uses a headset

Use XR to make invisible networks visible to students

Computer science students often need to understand technical concepts hidden within layers of software. Here’s how extended reality could offer a solution

Pablo Salva Garcia, Ahren Hart

University of the West of Scotland

A young Asian man in a wheelchair uses a phone and a laptop

Help South Asian disabled students navigate higher education

Disabled international students need cultural awareness alongside support. Here’s how to provide it

Nirma Jayawardena, Isuru Koswatte, Christian Harrison

University of the West of Scotland, University of Bradford, University of Bolton

Students point at a globe

Global classrooms, without the jet lag: a guide to transnational education

How transnational and translocal strategies can foster a global mindset and a sense of belonging in students

Jayakumar Chinnasamy

University of the West of Scotland

A group of students work together

An assessment tool to move HR students from theory to practice

HR students need the skills to deal with people. A simulated assessment tool could be the way forward – here’s how

Silvio Hofmann

University of the West of Scotland

A woman starts her business plan on a whiteboard

Write a business plan for a university spin-out company

Looking to secure investment for your spin-out? Find out how to write a business plan that ticks every box

Robert Crammond

University of the West of Scotland

A teacher writes on a whiteboard

Who are we when we teach? Why ESOL educators need space to explore identity

A workshop delved into language teacher identity and how reflecting on it can make English for speakers of other languages sessions more inclusive. Here’s how

Paula Barrowcliffe

University of the West of Scotland

Two women working on a film set

Maximise student satisfaction in creative education: part two

In the second part of this guide to achieving 100 per cent student satisfaction results in the National Student Survey, here’s why creating community and centring mental well-being made a difference

Kate Cotter , Elizabeth McLaughlin

University of the West of Scotland

A teacher smiles as students raise their hands en masse

Maximise student satisfaction in creative education: part one

Disappointed with your National Student Survey satisfaction results? One teaching team turned theirs around with reflection and collaboration – here’s how

Kate Cotter , Elizabeth McLaughlin

University of the West of Scotland

Equipment travellers will take on safari

Why academics need to find adventure beyond the classroom

The best research inspiration happens organically. Here’s how to free yourself from the constraints of campus and go out into the field

Kenneth Pratt

University of the West of Scotland

Students work together in a group

Authentic assessment for inclusivity and employability

Designing an educational studies course for international learners meant rethinking assessment, from traditional exams to a more practical, student-informed approach. Here’s what worked

Xiao Qu

University of the West of Scotland

Students observe art in a gallery

How to reshape your curriculum to fight misogyny

Embed critical art and media literacy into your students’ learning and equip them with the tools to understand and question the misogynistic ideologies that persist in society. Here are six strategies to do so

Katarzyna Kosmala

University of the West of Scotland

An AI helps a student learn

GenAI’s personalised learning could be a game-changer for disabled and neurodivergent students

Using GenAI to provide a truly learner-centric approach to both online and in-person learning could make a real difference to disabled and neurodivergent students. Here’s how

Lynne Beveridge, Melody Terras, Graham Scott, Naeem Ramzan

University of the West of Scotland

Workers in hard hats and hi-vis discuss their plans

The autonomy paradox: why graduate apprentices need both freedom and support to thrive

Graduate apprentices who report high levels of autonomy in their workplace learning don’t necessarily achieve better outcomes. Here’s what they need to succeed

Elaine Jackson, Alan MacDonald

University of the West of Scotland

Young entrepreneurs chat happily in a breakout space

How to position entrepreneurship as a graduate skill

Entrepreneurial thinking is at the top of employers’ wish lists – but how to integrate these skills in education?

Robert Crammond

University of the West of Scotland

A video gamer with a headset on is seen from the back

A guide to embedding esports for employability

Competitive video gaming is growing – and its power could be harnessed in your classroom. Here’s how to integrate esports to foster transferable skills in students

Gavin Baxter

University of the West of Scotland

Microphones sit on a table

Why academics should adopt a podcaster’s mindset

Launching a podcast helped Mark Carroll gain new perspective on communicating research to the public. Here are four lessons he learned

Mark Carroll

University of the West of Scotland

A lecturer observes her students reading

The subtle curriculum: how to embed ESG in business education organically

Are we marginalising environmental, social and governance considerations in treating them as optional extras? Here’s how to subtly integrate them into business courses

Daniel Muravsky

University of the West of Scotland

A science student struggles in a lab

The tough lessons that build resilience in forensic science students

To avoid causing students unnecessary harm when teaching sensitive topics, consider a trauma-informed approach. Carrie Mullen outlines how

Carrie Mullen

University of the West of Scotland

Illustration of man doing hurdles

‘An academic career is not a heptathlon’

The secret to establishing a career in academia is focus and deliberate choices, whether the path is into research, teaching or impact. Here, Robert MacIntosh explains why persistence and planning are more important than ever

Robert MacIntosh

University of the West of Scotland

A small girl points to a test tube

How to bring university science into primary schools

Engaging primary-school-age children with STEM will help them to think critically and develop informed opinions for the rest of their lives. Here’s how to do it

Farah Jaber-Hijazi

University of the West of Scotland

Image of a globe surrounded by the 17 SDG symbols

The need for integrated thinking at universities: from Covid-19 to the SDGs

A joined-up approach between universities, public services and businesses – as successfully demonstrated during the pandemic – is now needed if institutions are to accelerate efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals

Abeer Hassan

University of the West of Scotland

A woman holds her head in her hands over a laptop screen

Be aware of the invisible baggage of poverty your students carry

We need to acknowledge the realities of poverty and inequality, and the trauma it leaves our students with. Here are six principles to make higher education more inclusive

Jordan Donnelly

University of the West of Scotland

An illustration of hands untangling threads in someone's head

Graduate apprenticeship students are facing a perfect mental health storm

Graduate apprenticeships are booming, but the pressure of holding a full-time job while working towards a degree can take a toll on apprentices’ mental health. Here’s what universities and employers can do

Gary Gillon, Alan MacDonald

University of the West of Scotland

A woman sits in a beanbag chair with a laptop

How to spark student start-ups

Universities are the ideal environment to turn ideas into businesses. Here’s how to encourage entrepreneurship and foster a start-up dynamic in your students

Robert Crammond, William Shepherd

University of the West of Scotland

A tutor talks to apprenticeships in a carpentry workshop

Graduate apprenticeships need link tutors – but who’s looking after them?

Academic link tutors are a crucial cog in the mechanism of graduate apprenticeships, yet they perform this role with little support. Here’s how to invest in them instead

Elaine Jackson, Gary Gillon

University of the West of Scotland

A team works on a project using a whiteboard

Shape the next generation of project managers with co-creation

A cross-disciplinary, student-led project to design a simulation tool helped students find a safe environment in which to practise their workplace skills. Here’s how it worked

Ralitsa Arnaudova , Pablo Salva

University of the West of Scotland

A happy group of students pose for a photo

Diversity isn’t a one-off task, it’s a learning journey

With diversity practices under threat, where can universities go from here? Ibiyemi Omeihe and Kingsley O. Omeihe outline the path to truly inclusive learning

Ibiyemi Omeihe , Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

A young woman uses sign language

British sign language users deserve a place in higher education

BSL users are under-represented in academia. What can we do to foster an inclusive environment for them?

Astrid Smallenbroek

University of the West of Scotland

A adult works at a laptop, while a small child plays with dinosaur toys on the keyboard

The small steps that can make a big difference to student parents

Juggling academic and parental commitments is no easy feat. Here’s how universities can make small, programme-level adjustments to relieve the pressure on student parents

Rebecca Gordon

University of the West of Scotland

Leaking water pipe

The foundations of a successful knowledge transfer partnership

By collaborating with businesses, researchers can apply their expertise to real-world problems with tangible outcomes. Here, academics outline how they established an effective knowledge transfer partnership to reduce water waste

Muhammad Shakir , Jawwad Latif

University of the West of Scotland

Multiracial group of students

‘The experience of mixing with peers from other schools and engaging with university life is transformational’

By building a bridge between high school and university, outreach teams can foster aspiration and provide tangible pathways for students who might not otherwise pursue higher education

Gillian Lavercombe

University of the West of Scotland

Hands high-five in front of a leafy tree

Bridging the SDG awareness gap

Universities have a critical role to play in increasing awareness of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Here’s how to do it

James Miller, Andrew Hursthouse

University of the West of Scotland

A lecturer gives a talk

Three ways to integrate emerging technologies into the curriculum

Your students’ future jobs will depend on technology just in its infancy today. But how best to teach them the skills they need? Sabrina Azzi offers advice

Sabrina Azzi

University of the West of Scotland

A group of students laugh together

How universities can better support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller students

More students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are entering higher education. But what can universities do to better support their needs?

Colin Clark

University of the West of Scotland

A woman stands up in front of a boardroom table

How to navigate your first steps into university leadership

Moving from colleague to taking charge can be a daunting transition. Kingsley O. Omeihe and Ibiyemi Omeihe offer advice on your first few moves as a leader

Kingsley Omeihe, Ibiyemi Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

A shy owl peeks from a hollowed-out tree trunk

An introvert’s guide to networking

For academics, networking can greatly enhance your career. But if the very idea fills you with dread, Yalinu Poya offers her advice for putting yourself out there

Yalinu Poya

University of the West of Scotland

A group comforts a woman, sitting with her head bowed

Research shouldn’t cause trauma – let’s find a better way

How can we conduct research and share results without affecting the well-being of those around us? Eileen Harkess-Murphy advocates for a trauma-informed approach

Eileen Harkess-Murphy

University of the West of Scotland

A video camera is used to film a scene

The making of: turning a research project into a documentary

To get your research findings into as many hands as possible, consider filming a documentary. James Layton, Paul Tucker and Bettina Talbot offer their advice

James Layton, Paul Tucker, Bettina Talbot

University of the West of Scotland

An illustration featuring a robot head surrounded by speech bubbles

Artificial intelligence – friend or foe? It’s up to academia

Higher education will be instrumental in determining whether generative AI ends up as a friend or enemy. Ibiyemi Omeihe and Kingsley O. Omeihe outline what universities can do at this crucial tipping point

Ibiyemi Omeihe , Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

A hand holds a smartphone, generating illustrated speech bubbles

Four ways to cultivate an engaged social media community

When it comes to social media, don’t forget the power of connection. Paul Shannon and Andrew Murray outline four ways to engage with your audience

Paul Shannon, Andrew Murray

University of the West of Scotland

An illustration of a man watering a plant growing from his head

How to develop a researcher mindset as a PhD student

Entering the postgraduate sphere is a whole new ball game. Shaif Uddin Ahammed shows how to hone a PhD mindset

Shaif Uddin Ahammed

University of the West of Scotland

A woman sits at a laptop with a small toddler on the desk next to her

From prams to postgraduate degrees: how universities can support student parents

Educators play a crucial role in getting student parents the support they need. Mia Burleigh, drawing on her own experience, offers seven tips

Mia Burleigh

University of the West of Scotland

Hands clutching soil with green shoots

Real-world experiences can help your creative arts students create real-world change

Integrating real-world experiences into creative industries programmes can create truly meaningful results – for both the students and the wider community. Clare Duffin outlines how

Clare Duffin

University of the West of Scotland

A theatre stage

Anxious about public speaking? Try these tips from the theatre

Hone your performance skills with these techniques from stage actors. Linsey Todd and James Layton encourage us to smell the greasepaint

Linsey Todd, James Layton

University of the West of Scotland

A head made up of jigsaw puzzle pieces

On the neurodivergent campus, language matters

The neurodiversity movement has made great strides, but out-of-date, ableist language is still prevalent, even in academia. Carrie Ballantyne advises us to think about the words we use

Carrie Ballantyne

University of the West of Scotland

A group of researchers discusses a prototype

How to balance teaching and research

As an early-career academic, how can you juggle teaching and researching while also prioritising self-care? Callum Russell shares his reflections on striking a balance

Callum Russell

University of the West of Scotland

A group of students laugh while using laptops

Four ways to create an entrepreneurial culture at your institution

Universities are perfectly placed to help start-ups get off the ground. Alan Murray, Robert Crammond and Kingsley Omeihe advise on how best to get your students thinking with a business mindset

Alan Murray, Robert Crammond, Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland