Six academic writing mentors recognised with prestigious AFHEA status
Celebrating writing mentor success in supporting inclusive education.
Six academic writing mentors have successfully achieved the professional recognition of Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).
Awarded by Advance HE, a UK scheme promoting excellence in higher education, the AFHEA recognises individuals who demonstrate effective teaching or support for learning in higher education.
I’ve been able to learn about my practice and make sure I can take the skills and knowledge I’ve developed into future roles, and life generally.
Our academic writing mentors provide academic writing guidance for fellow students in the Writing Space, offering peer support and coaching to help develop a wide range of writing skills.
The Writing Space brings to life the ‘Students as Partners’ model, a higher education approach that redefines traditional student-staff hierarchies. It champions collaboration, with mentors co-creating learning, curriculum and educational practices and resources. This innovative partnership proudly won Student-Staff Partnership of the Year at the 2024 Leeds University Union Partnership Awards.
Mentors were encouraged to apply for AFHEA via the University’s Professional Recognition in Student Education (PRiSE) scheme. They were supported with sessions from Organisational and Professional Learning (OD&PL) and received close guidance and feedback from Learning Development team colleagues, including Dr Emily Webb, Writing Space Co-ordinator.
"Our team is passionate about supporting our student-staff to develop personally, professionally and academically as a writing mentor. We’re delighted that six of our current mentors have achieved their AFHEA. This prestigious recognition is a testament to their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence,” says Dr Emily Webb, Writing Space Co-Ordinator.
This achievement not only celebrates the mentors’ personal development and dedication but also highlights the impact of the Writing Space in delivering inclusive learning support. The recognition marks an important milestone in their professional journeys and sets a strong foundation for future success in education and beyond.
Eleanor Dufton, AFHEA and Academic Writing Mentor says: “I’m really happy to have been awarded the AFHEA certificate after working for the Writing Space over the past two years. I feel very fortunate to have been supported by the Libraries, especially my supervisor Dr Emily Webb in my application and throughout the role. With their support in applying for this award, I’ve been able to learn about my practice and make sure I can take the skills and knowledge I’ve developed nto future roles, and life generally. I hope to apply for teaching positions in the future so the skills I’ve gained through this award will be hugely beneficial to me.”
Mentors, with the support of the Learning Development team, will continue to provide academic writing coaching next year in a new Skills Space in Laidlaw Library.
Their achievement not only highlights their individual growth, but also underscores the effectiveness of our training and development work within the team. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to continuing to support mentors
From all at the Libraries, congratulations to our six academic writing mentors on this achievement.
