What should high-quality research look like in Learning Development?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi37.1773

Keywords:

learning development, pedagogic research, research quality, scholarship of teaching and learning, consensus workshop

Abstract

High-quality teaching in contemporary universities is increasingly recognised through evidence of its reach, value, and impact. Previous ALDCon presentations (e.g. White and Webster, 2023) have highlighted the importance of Learning Developers—and the wider field of Learning Development—in ensuring our work engages with broader conversations around high-quality teaching and learning. Evans et al. (2021) emphasise that quality emerges through the integration of pedagogical practice and research. But what does ‘quality’ mean for Learning Developers and other third space professionals? How can we showcase our practice through our research? This workshop investigated how quality is understood and evidenced in Learning Development research. Editors from the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education (JLDHE) collaborated with delegates in a Consensus Workshop (Stanfield, 2002) to explore how quality might be conceptualised and evidenced in our scholarly outputs. Through taking a broad and inclusive approach to research, the session acknowledged the need for Learning Development to actively and continually write itself into existence (Syska and Buckley, 2023) to demonstrate its impact. The outcomes of the workshop were designed to inform JLDHE’s editorial practices and enhance its support for Learning Developers at all career stages. Ultimately, the workshop fostered a deeper understanding of quality in Learning Development research, empowering delegates to strengthen their pedagogical practice through meaningful and impactful scholarship.

Author Biographies

Chad McDonald, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Chad McDonald is a Senior Academic and Study Skills Tutor at Manchester Metropolitan University. He holds a PhD in History from the University of Bristol. Much of his work has focused on supporting students at transition points in higher education, particularly within arts and humanities disciplines. He was a member of LearnHigher’s working group from 2021 to 2024 and is currently the Deputy Chair of ALDinHE’s professional recognition working group. Chad became the Managing Editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education in 2024. He is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA) and an ALDinHE Senior Fellow.

Alicja Syska, University of Plymouth

Alicja Syska is a Lecturer in Education at the University of Plymouth. She has a PhD in American Studies from Saint Louis University, USA, is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE (PFHEA), and an ALDinHE Senior Fellow. Alicja is the Editor-In-Chief at the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, which she has led since 2019, and co-hosts the Learning Development Project podcast. Her research interests include writing, community building, third space identity, and researcher development.

References

ALDinHE (no date) About ALDinHE. Available at: https://aldinhe.ac.uk/about-aldinhe (Accessed: 11 August 2025).

Evans, C., Kandiko Howson, C., Forsythe, A. and Edwards, C. (2021) ‘What constitutes high quality higher education pedagogical research?’, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 46(4), pp. 525–546. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2020.1790500

Stanfield, R.B. (2002) The workshop book: from individual creativity to group action. Toronto: Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs.

Syska, A. and Buckley, C. (2023) ‘Writing as liberatory practice: unlocking knowledge to locate an academic field’, Teaching in Higher Education, 28(2), pp. 439–454. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2022.2114337

White, S. and Webster, H. (2023) ‘Hey you! They’re calling you Tinkerbell! What are you going to do about it?’, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, 29, pp. 1–10. Available at: https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi29.1120

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Published

30-09-2025

How to Cite

McDonald, C., & Syska, A. (2025). What should high-quality research look like in Learning Development?. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (37). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi37.1773

Issue

No. 37 (2025): Special Edition, ALDinHE Conference Proceedings and Reflections

Section

Conference Proceedings

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