How Andrew put himself "in harm's way" and won
05 Sep 2016
Colleagues tell their stories from the PG Certificate in Higher Education
“I did the PG Certificate in Higher Education because I am becoming an old git!” declares Professor Andrew Gale.
He also took the course because he is open-minded – if anyone was meant to take the course, it’s Andrew, who has spent 30 years in academia from Lecturer to Professor of Project Management and the Research Theme Leader in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
The PGCert programme was launched in 2014 and is available to both academic and PSS staff. It aims to introduce staff to relevant literature and theory so that they can: think critically about their contribution to the University; develop a deeper understanding of the national and global Higher Education context; and progress in terms of their professional confidence, personal effectiveness and long-term career strategies.
Course leader Steve Jones, of CHERIL, says: “We will not tell you how to become better at your job; rather, we will challenge and develop the ways in which you think about Higher Education to ensure that you undertake your role efficiently and successfully.”
Andrew was certainly up for that.
“Professors shouldn’t be cloistered away – you have to put yourself in harm’s way,” he says, his language belying his radical approach to the course, and in fact all he does.
“It’s fantastic that it’s for both PSS and academics. Those workshops are very open – there’s a lot of trust in there. It gives you confidence in your own argument and shows how it needs to be sharpened up. It keeps you upping your game.
“I work with young staff and they keep me upping my game too. People at a senior level need to realise that – their role models are their young staff.”
Unsurprisingly, one of the things Andrew looked at on the course was the potential for tutors to use blogging and social media in delivering a taught Masters blended learning course. He also examined what scholarship means to him here at Manchester and reflective practice for adult part-time taught course students.
The course helped him consolidate his not inconsiderable experience.
This is the man who taught MA Art as Environment students alongside MEng students and even took a four year Open College of the Arts course in Fine Art (painting) himself, his heroes being John Bratby and Frank Auerbach who created “pretty strong stuff”. He likes their neo-expressionist techniques.
He also challenged himself further and has set his sights on becoming a Principal Fellow of the HE Academy.
“I am committed to pedagogy and teaching and learning,” he says.
“We had a family culture of teaching. My grandmother was teaching when women were expected to stay home. My mother and her sister taught during the Blitz, my father was a lecturer, and my uncle and brother were teachers too.”
He adds: “I would definitely recommend this course. It’s hard work but it’s extremely valuable.
“Confucius believed reflection is terribly important – it can help people be more self-aware. The course helps you reflect on what you do and become more aware of your role at the University. It is a political organisation and you can engage with that.”
More information
For more information or to apply for the course, visit: