The Academic Professional Development Unit (APDU) supports the professional development of academic and professional staff, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers in relation to learning and teaching.
We work collaboratively with other units, including the Academy for the Transformation of Teaching, to support the delivery of the Brunel 2030 Vision by:
- Providing personal development and recognition in learning and teaching through the APEX Framework (supporting staff to Attain)
- Providing CPD and expert support, including tailored provision and development opportunities (supporting staff to Advance)
- Supporting teaching excellence bids (e.g. NTFS, CATE) and scholarship of learning and teaching (supporting staff to Excel)
Our portfolio of activities includes expert-led workshops, courses, blended learning, seminars and one-to-one support, delivered across disciplines to encourage the development of interdisciplinary understanding, skills and networks.
Registering to attend activities
Where activity dates are listed you can register immediately by following the instructions. Please ensure that the activity is appropriate for you before registering by checking the descriptions. If no date is scheduled, or if the date is not suitable for you, you can add your name to the waiting list to be notified when new dates and places become available. You may access your records following attendance and download a certificate of attendance or record of activities completed.
If you cannot attend an activity that you registered for, please cancel your registration at least 48 hours in advance by visiting the My Records section on this site. For last minute cancellations, please email apdu@brunel.ac.uk.
Past events
Learning and Teaching Symposium - May 2019
Thank you to everyone who joined us on on Thursday 9 May 2019 for our annual Learning and Teaching Symposium, focussed on engaging students actively in their learning. With energising speakers including Dr Hannah Critchlow, Dr Ian Turner and colleagues from the Centre for Comedy Research Studies and the Department of Education who closed with a Comedy and the Classroom event, the day was lively, entertaining and action-packed.
Presentations from the Symposium:
- Gamification of a Session with Dr Ian Turner, University of Derby, plus information on Large Group Teaching Resources and Ten Things Every Game Needs
- Game Based Learning in Practice with Dr Thaleia Deniozou, Mario Michaelides, Chris Cox Games Design, CBASS and Monica Fernandes, ASK-BEEC
- Interdisciplinary education: Team Based Learning as a tool to empower students to read academic journal papers that span across multiple disciplines with Dr David Tree and Dr Pascale Kippelen, CHLS
- Team Based Learning 101: Optimising Active and Collaborative Learning with Dr Simon Tweddell, Bradford University
- Using Digital Learning Platforms in Teaching – three case studies with Astrid Ferreira, Dr Oliver Gibson, Joanne McPhie and Dr Sabrina Tosi, CHLS
- Zombie Attacks - a gateway activity with a collaborative approach to teaching group work with Richard Bond, ASK-BEEC and Paul Butler Digital Media, CEDPS
- Use of collaborative tools for embedding Essential Skills in Programme design – A case study with Natalie Parnis, DET-BEEC and Dr Busayawan Lam, Design, CEDPS
- Case studies, poll questions and an example of a scratch card from using team-based learning to teach students to teach with Dr Simon Kent, Computer Science, CEDPS
Videos