Teacher, Presenter, Other: Aligning expertise with the delivery of learning
An interactive online workshop, 09:30-13:00, 22 October

This practical workshop will explore how business schools can provide learning and teaching expertise appropriate to a post Covid19 HE environment.
Business Schools have traditionally recruited staff with prior experience ranging from traditional academic PhD entry routes, professional standing and leadership/management industry experience. The currency and relevance of the Business Curriculum is dependent on this rich experiential approach to recruiting staff which has resulted in debates aligned with the meaning of expertise in Business Schools, appropriate credentials and aligning these with academic promotional schemes. The impact of COVID19 has arguably added an extra dimension into the definition of expertise as Business Schools have refocused their business models toward remote delivery of learning and teaching, research and enterprise.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop participants will:
- Have a deeper understanding of the changing role of the academic prior to and since the Covid19 pandemic and the expertise required for a post Covid world
- Be better able to evaluate the need for experts in specific aspects of learning delivery and the implications for staff recruitment, deployment and academic identity
- Have new ideas of how to identify key stakeholders and changes in their expectations of academic expertise
- Have the tools to develop strategies to equip staff with expertise and agility
- Be better able to plan to achieve and evidence success
Who should attend?
This workshop will be of particular value to those in academic leadership roles and those aspiring to academic leadership including:
- Deans
- Associate Deans/Directors of Learning and Teaching
- Heads of Department
- Programme Leaders
- Educational Researchers
About CMBE Events
Our series of CMBE Events are open to all educators. They have been designed with CMBEs in mind, to support them achieve their professional development goals. By attending this event, CMBEs can claim up to 3.5 units (hours) towards their annual CPD commitment.
9:30 Welcome
Dr Cathy Minett-Smith CMBE, Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, Bristol Business School
Professor Debra Leighton CMBE, Fellow Chartered Association of Business Schools
9:45 Section 1
Teacher, Presenter, Other
Exploring the changing role of the academic prior to and since the Covid19 pandemic. The notion of expert in learning delivery and academic development. Implications for academic identity.
Dr Cathy Minett-Smith CMBE, Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, Bristol Business School
Internal and External Stakeholder expectations.
Planning staff recruitment, development , recognition, reward and retention.
Professor Debra Leighton CMBE, Fellow Chartered Association of Business Schools
10:30 Group activity 1 and feedback
Participants will be split into groups to consider the following questions:
- Since the shift to remote learning, how do you think the role of the Business School academic has changed?
- How has this impacted on academic identity?
Discussions facilitated separately by:
Dr Cathy Minett-Smith CMBE, Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, Bristol Business School
Professor Debra Leighton CMBE, Fellow Chartered Association of Business Schools
11:15 Break
11:30 Section Two
Evaluating the need for experts in specific aspects of curriculum redesign and learning delivery. Digital skills and confidence building
Professor Debra Leighton CMBE, Fellow Chartered Association of Business Schools
Implications for staff recruitment, deployment and retention.
Strategies for developing staff expertise and agility.
Planning for evidence of success.
Dr Cathy Minett-Smith CMBE, Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, Bristol Business School
12:15 Group activity 2 and feedback
Participants will be split into groups to consider the following questions:
- In your current role, what expertise will your School need going forward and how will you develop this?
- What will your first two priorities be?
Discussions facilitated separately by:
Dr Cathy Minett-Smith CMBE, Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, Bristol Business School
Professor Debra Leighton CMBE, Fellow Chartered Association of Business Schoo
12:45 Summation and closing remarks
13:00 Close

Professor Debra Leighton
Professor Debra Leighton CMBE is Professor of Management Practice and has recently become Senior Adviser for the EFMD’s Business School Impact System (BSIS). Formerly Executive Dean at University of Bedfordshire Business School and more recently Interim Dean at Coventry, Debra has held a number of leadership roles in the Business School sector. She has been actively involved with the Chartered ABS for the past ten years, including acting as Small Business Charter advisor and leading the Chartered ABS ‘Leaders in Learning and Teaching’ development programme between 2017-19. She was awarded Fellowship of the Chartered Association of Business Schools in 2019 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the work of business schools in the UK

Dr Cathy Minett-Smith
Associate Dean for Learning, Teaching & Student Experience, Faculty of Business and Law, University of the West of England
Dr Cathy Minett-Smith is an experienced and innovative leader with over 20 years of experience in Higher Education. She has over 18 years of experience in leading and developing teaching, learning and assessment practice in Business Schools and at a University level.
Fee: £30
This workshop is open to both members and non-members of the Chartered ABS.
Paying by invoice? Make sure you provide a valid Purchase Order Number when you make your booking.
Pay your CMBE subscription with your booking
Don't forget, you can pay for your annual CMBE subscription when you register for the workshop. Once your submitted application has been approved, make sure you're logged in to the Chartered ABS website and register for the workshop via this page by selecting the option that includes your CMBE subscription fee.
About the CMBE
The CMBE gives business and management educators a recognised professional designation and a framework for continuous professional development. The scheme supports educators to further develop their teaching practice and helps to advance the quality of business and management education in higher education.
Become a CMBE
If you’re not yet a CMBE, join a worldwide movement of educators committed to developing their teaching practice.
You will benefit from:
- The CMBE designation after your name
- Support for your continuing professional development
- A framework to support your future career development
- Access a community and opportunities to contribute to knowledge
What's more, you can pay for your annual CMBE subscription when you register for a Chartered ABS event. For details, see the Fees tab.
Already a CMBE? Meeting your CPD commitment
If you're a CMBE, you can claim 3.5 hours (units) towards your CPD commitment by attending this event.
Find out more about meeting your CPD commitment here, and view the CPD activities table here.
Enquiries
If you have any questions please email Pritika Pau at pritika.pau@charteredabs.org