The ASPIRE Network

We have just launched our first-ever ASPIRE Awards season!

Nominations are now open for ASPIRE Awards in five categories, all seeking to recognise the great work that colleagues on the teaching track in our discipline are undertaking.

Please share and nominate!

www.aspirenetwork.uk/aspire-awards

Reminder - this call for papers is now open!

We are really excited for this joint CPP (@uclcpp.bsky.social) & ASPIRE event and hope to see you there!

Call for Papers: CPP x ASPIRE Conference. 12 June 2026.

'Onwards, Upwards: The Education Track and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Politics and International Relations'

Find out more here:

www.aspirenetwork.uk/cpp-aspire-c...

I've written for The Social Change Blog on 'Developing higher education for driving social change'.

It's a short piece inspired by finding a small newspaper cutting at my grandmother's house a few years ago - a front page story about my mum graduating university.

blogs.york.ac.uk/social-chang...

On June 12th @aspirenetwork.bsky.social & @uclcpp.bsky.social a joint conference on all things #SoTL work and careers. www.aspirenetwork.uk/cpp-aspire-c...

Thanks @aspirenetwork.bsky.social for including me in such an important and interesting conversation last year! To be continued!

Call for Papers: CPP x ASPIRE Conference. 12 June 2026.

'Onwards, Upwards: The Education Track and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Politics and International Relations'

Find out more here:

www.aspirenetwork.uk/cpp-aspire-c...

🔊 Final Ep of S3 of Politics and Pedagogy we speak to the leads of 'Pedagogical Research Centres and Communities' across Politics and IR departments in the UK. Available across all platforms rss.com/podcasts/pol...

Our latest SoTL Circle, our frequent event series where ASPIRE members discuss a key piece of SoTL reading, was held this Wednesday.

Dr. Jillian Terry, who hosted the session, has blogged about it for @alpsblog.bsky.social:

activelearningps.com/2026/02/06/a...

Call for Abstracts - Special Issue on Teaching Sensitive Issues in Challenging Times.

Great opportunity to disseminate SoTL on a really important subject!

osotl.org/osotl/announ...

📢 Ep2, S4 of Politics and Pedagogy is out: 'Communities disrupting hierarchies: @globalhigheredj.bsky.social '. We speak to co-founding editors of this brilliant new journal actively disrupting traditional, hierarchical models of journal publication and management. rss.com/podcasts/pol...

PSA26 Frequently Asked Questions - Political Studies Association To stay up to date with announcements about PSA26, the dedicated webpage for PSA26 will include all the latest information, deadline dates and related links.

#PSA26 Annual Conference: 'Political Studies Futures'
Book your ticket for Oxford, 30 March - 1 April 2026
📆 Early booking deadline extended to 2 February
❓If you have a question check out the updated FAQs on the new website

Do come and see me talking about enjoying your life and not poring endlessly over promotion criteria tomorrow for @aspirenetwork.bsky.social!
(Spoiler: I think you might even be successful on the education-focused route, too, if you follow my tentative advice for slackers....)

A slide that reads “a slacker’s guide to the teaching track”

We were already massively looking forward to @profcathyelliott.bsky.social’s “Meet the T&S Prof” ASPIRE event tomorrow.

That excitement has been taken to a whole new level now she has shared her opening slide.

As all ways - all ASPIRE members are invited. See you tomorrow at 1pm!

TLN Webinar: Using Objects to Enhance Learning in Political Science Education - Political Studies Association Most higher education teaching activities rely on texts. By contrast, I argue object-based learning—or using physical materials to convey, capture, and

🚨Tomorrow🚨TLN Webinar: ‘Using Objects to Enhance Learning in Political Science Education’ with William L Allen @unisouthampton.bsky.social
📆 13 Jan, 12.30pm, Online
➡️ Discover how object-based learning can help convey, capture, and express complex ideas.
FREE and open to all

🔊New on the Politics and Pedagogy Podcast 'The Power of Education Communities' with @rosegann.bsky.social Chair of @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social and Emma Foster Trustee of PSA. rss.com/podcasts/pol...

Our next event is a T&S Townhall on the 14th November featuring research from Prof Helen Williams from the University of Nottingham. You can sign up to join us here: www.aspirenetwork.uk/aspire-members

How to get started with pedagogic research (and actually publish it) Pedagogic research is increasingly central to teaching excellence in higher education, yet many academics are unsure how to begin. Discover how to shape your idea, secure funding, navigate ethics and ...

A great piece in @timeshighered.bsky.social on how to get started with #PedRes #SoTL www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/how-g...

Less than one week to go to submit an abstract for #BISA2026! The RIS editorial team would love to see all of you there.

Join us for the first ASPIRE SOTL circle on Friday!

@jeremymoulton.bsky.social @louisepears.bsky.social @annaplunkett.bsky.social @chrisfeathers.bsky.social @sudhirselvaraj.bsky.social @mlebourdon.bsky.social

Join us for our #SoTL Circle this Friday where we will be discussing Oro's article on active learning. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10..... Sign up here: www.aspirenetwork.uk/copy-of-events

Very exciting to join the #BISAISA2025 conference in Newcastle last weekend! Thank you to the @aspirenetwork.bsky.social - especially Hillary Briffa and Chris Featherstone - for organising such a fun conversation on the challenges and opportunities of AI for teaching IR! Discussion to be continued!

TLN Webinar – Giving choice a chance: Assessment optionality in political studies education | The Political Studies Association (PSA) ‘Giving choice a chance: Assessment optionality in political studies education’ with Jeremy Moulton, University of York Wednesday 3 December, 1:30pm to 3pmThis practice-sharing webinar will present…

*PSA EVENT* 'Giving Choice a Chance: Assessment optionality in #PoliticalStudies #education. #Teaching & Learning Network webinar with Jeremy Moulton @jeremymoulton.bsky.social @psateach.bsky.social
📆 3 December, 1:30 - 3pm
➡️ FREE and open to all

TLN Webinar – Using Objects to Enhance Learning in Political Science Education | The Political Studies Association (PSA) ‘Using Objects to Enhance Learning in Political Science Education’ with William L Allen, University of Southampton Tuesday 13 January, 12:30pmMost higher education teaching activities rely on texts.…

*PSA EVENT* 'Using Objects to Enhance Learning in #PoliticalScience #Education - #Teaching & Learning Network Webinar with William L Allen.
📆 Tuesday 13 January, 12:30pm, online
➡️

Our post in @hepi-news.bsky.social highlight the importance of teaching & scholarship work! @chrisfeathers.bsky.social @sudhirselvaraj.bsky.social @louisepears.bsky.social @jeremymoulton.bsky.social @annaplunkett.bsky.social

More new @aspirenetwork.bsky.social work! Check out this HEPI blog on the importance of the teaching track!

Our post in @hepi-news.bsky.social highlight the importance of teaching & scholarship work! @chrisfeathers.bsky.social @sudhirselvaraj.bsky.social @louisepears.bsky.social @jeremymoulton.bsky.social @annaplunkett.bsky.social

Great to see so many colleagues and friends at the @aspirenetwork.bsky.social online launch event today! Some great ideas shared and really exciting opportunities, if you're not a member already, Sign Up!

JOIN US TOMORROW!