Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Youth and Community tutor receives national distinction
Alan Smith, Head of Youth and Community Work at Leeds Beckett, has been awarded one of 55 National Teaching Fellowships this year.
Professor Susan Price, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, commented: “We are delighted that Alan Smith has been recognised by this prestigious national scheme. At Leeds Beckett University we are dedicated to excellence in research, teaching and learning and these fellowships reflect and celebrate this. Alan is a highly respected figure in the field of youth and community work as well as an innovative teacher and supportive tutor, wholly committed to our students and their success.”
Alan has been involved in the professional education of youth and community workers for more than 21 years and is highly-regarded throughout the UK, having held key roles in TAG - the professional association of lecturers in youth and community work - for most of that time. He is also Vice Chair of the National Youth Agency Education and Training Standards Committee - the professional body which validates youth and community work courses in England, and is Co-Chair of the Joint Education and Training Standards Committee for England, Scotland, Wales and All-Ireland.
Alan has recently led the development of a national pilot, in partnership with the National Youth Agency, which will see the return of a four year, part-time youth and community work degree being offered at Leeds Beckett University and the National Youth Agency in Leicester from September 2015. For further information please contact him at a.s.smith@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Within his nomination, it was noted that as a teacher, Alan’s work has been transformative for many of his students during his career, and the individuals and groups they go on to work with. He has been at the forefront of policy and practice developments for most of that time, helping guide the profession to its current graduate status, and working with others to champion youth and community work as a discipline which changes lives and creates fairer communities.
Alan said: “It is great to have the work of the youth and community work team recognised in this way. Whilst the award names me, as an individual, it is a recognition of the knowledge, skills and commitment of an excellent team who do everything they can to ensure our students get the best possible education for their future careers as professionally qualified youth and community workers.”
The Youth and Community Work team at Leeds Beckett University have twice been shortlisted for the Course Team of the Year in the Golden Robe Awards, a student-led initiative at Leeds Beckett, and won the inaugural award in 2014.
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme was established in 2000 and recognises, rewards, and celebrates individuals who are judged to make an outstanding impact on the student learning experience. Funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DELNI), each year up to 55 awards are made to recognise individual excellence.