Associate Fellow (AFHEA) is the appropriate category of fellowship to recognise individuals from a wide variety of different education contexts. Their higher education (HE) teaching and/or support for learning practice enables them to evidence some of the Professional Standards Framework 2023 (PSF 2023) Dimensions to meet the requirements of PSF 2023 Descriptor 1, which are as follows:
Descriptor 1 is suitable for individuals whose practice enables them to evidence some Dimensions. Effectiveness of practice in teaching and/or support of learning is demonstrated through evidence of:
D1.1: use of appropriate Professional Values, including at least:
- V1 In your context, show how you respect individual learners and diverse groups of learners.
- V3 In your context, show how you use scholarship, or research, or professional learning, or other evidence-informed approaches as a basis for effective practice.
D1.2: application of appropriate Core Knowledge, including at least:
- K1 In your context, apply knowledge of how learners learn, generally and within specific subjects.
- K2 In your context, apply knowledge of approaches to teaching and/or supporting learning, appropriate for subjects and levels of study.
- K3 In your context, apply knowledge of critical evaluation as a basis for effective practice.
D1.3: effective and inclusive practice in at least two of the five Areas of Activity
- A1 In your context, demonstrate that you design and plan learning activities and/or programmes.
- A2 In your context, demonstrate that you teach and/or support learning through appropriate approaches and environments.
- A3 In your context, demonstrate that you assess and give feedback for learning.
- A4 In your context, demonstrate that you support and guide learners.
- A5 In your context, demonstrate that you enhance your practice through own continuing professional development.
Who is this for?
Individuals applying for Associate Fellow (AFHEA) may be fairly new to a role in teaching and/or support for learning or may have a limited teaching portfolio.
For example, they may be sessional or part-time staff with some teaching responsibilities. They may be experienced staff with specific roles in supporting higher education learning such as technicians, librarians, learning technologists, careers advisors, and so on.
The choice of an appropriate fellowship category is not role-dependent: you will need to explore whether you have sufficient evidence of appropriate teaching or support for learning practice to make a successful application.
Use Advance HE’s free online Fellowship Category Tool to help you work out whether FHEA is the right category of fellowship for you at this point. Learn more in EFS Collection 1_About the REx Pathway.