Ambassadors Programme

The Learning and Teaching Ambassadors Programme is designed to provide academic staff with the opportunity to contribute to shaping the learning and teaching environment at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University through a project of their choosing. Projects should provide opportunities to share knowledge, experience, and innovation. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Contributing to Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and the University’s Māori Plan
• Creating inclusive and accessible learning and teaching environments (in line with the Disability Action Plan)
• Mentoring new teaching staff
• Embedding sustainability into learning and teaching
• Embedding Living Laboratory projects into learning and teaching
• Promoting innovative teaching practices (e.g. educational technology, open education, Artificial Intelligence)
• Increasing the usage of blended and flipped course delivery
• Research related to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
• Establishing communities of practice (e.g. Teaching and Learning Circles)
• Supporting Akoraka | Learn usage (e.g. a specific activity such as the Workshop activity)

Learning and Teaching Ambassadors will be supported by, and work closely with, staff in Learning and Teaching Excellence. Work undertaken will contribute to ‘Service, Leadership and Engagement’ in the PD&A and Promotion process. It is expected that Learning and Teaching Ambassadors will undertake the role in a capacity equivalent to 0.05 – 0.20 FTE (2 – 7.5 hours per week) for 12-24 months. The time commitment will depend on the chosen project and other workload commitments and is likely to vary throughout the academic year.

In addition, participants are also expected to be Ambassadors of Learning and Teaching Excellence, helping with outreach of the team's services and generating goodwill amongst colleagues.

Ambassadors will receive a certificate and a formal letter of recognition, and be acknowledged in any deliverables. Deliverables will vary depending on the project, but may include:

• Workshop
• Teaching Tip
• Checklist
• Best Practice
• Video
• Other resources to support teaching
• Research publication
• Sharing of experience as an Ambassador

Academic staff interested in applying for the Learning and Teaching Ambassadors Programme should submit an online application that outlines the proposed project including goals, benefits, time commitment and expected deliverables. Endorsement of involvement in the Learning and Teaching Ambassadors Programme is also required from a member of the Faculty/AP&P leadership team (e.g. HoD/HoS, Associate Dean (Academic) or Faculty Dean) through the completion of the online endorsement.

All academic staff are encouraged to apply. Learning and Teaching Ambassadors will be selected based on the quality and strategic fit of the proposed project to Learning and Teaching Excellence and the University, the expected time commitment, the expected deliverables, and representation across the University. Applications close at 4.30 pm on February 28, 2025. Applicants will be informed of the outcome no later than one week after applications close.

For more information or to discuss your application, please contact the Learning and Teaching Excellence Manager, Tracy-Anne De Silva via email: tracy-anne.desilva@lincoln.ac.nz.