Background 

I have over 20 years of experience in professionally supporting and developing research, teaching and learning practices at Newcastle University. I joined the Learning Teaching Development Service (LTDS) in March 2019. My role focuses on working in collaboration with colleagues to support the design and development of quality educational practices, accessible and inclusive education, and campus-based, online and blended learning modules and programmes. Along with focusing more recently on embedding SDGs in the curriculum and supporting students and colleagues to enhance SDG knowledge across the student journey.

I am also UKPSF Mentor and Assessor.

Recent project:

School of Natural & Environmental Sciences (SNES)

Working in collaboration with colleagues in SNES to facilitate the redesign of the curriculum for a cluster of Agricultural, Food and Land Management, and Earth and Environmental Sciences UG programmes. The redesign aimed to ensure students graduate with the employability skills required for the future of work, a global perspective of their discipline, the opportunity for multi-disciplinary collaboration, and a broad understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The foundations for this were achieved through the design and development of three 20-credit modules (Introduction to Sustainability, Sustainability in Practice, and Professional and Academic Skillsshared as common modules across all disciplines in stage one. These 9 redesigned UG programmes launch in September 2023.

Project Case Studies / Blogs

Collaborative Curriculum Redesign for Sustainable Education: Challenges and Best Practices

Using AI in a Problem-Based Learning session: “Hunger hotspots”

Virtual Tours of the NU Farms

Previous Projects:

Newcastle University Induction 2021

This was a university-wide project, designing and developing online and blended induction content for all students at all stages across the university. I led the core content consultations, working alongside central service teams to develop and embed online induction content. I was responsible for the overall set-up, approach, production and delivery of our finished Canvas product. I led school consultations and worked alongside schools to create an engaged blended induction programme.

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Newcastle University Business School

In this project, I worked in collaboration with the Leadership Development and Organisation Futures (LDOF) team on the design, development, and delivery of a suite of blended Executive Leadership postgraduate programmes – find out more. 

Project Case Studies

Learner-Centred Curriculum Design using the ABC Method

Developing Digital Residency for Executive Education Learners

Invited Speakers

 Michelle Barr, SFHEA & Dr Nicola Patterson: Global OnlinEd 2021 "Using Elements of Gamification to Engage Learners in Executive Education" 20th May 2021. 

 Accepted Abstracts 

 Michelle Barr, SFHEA: Three Rivers Conference 2021-Knowledge Exchange for Learning & Teaching In HE "Not just technology for technology’s sake: Working collaboratively to explore, develop and embed technology-enhanced learning" 25th June 2021

 Michelle Barr, SFHEA & Dr Lucy Hatt: The nineteenth Academic Practice and Technology (APT2021) conference "Engaging work-based business learners in online spaces through the development of digital residency" 02 July 2021

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 Blogs & Case Studies

AdvanceHE symposium 2023: Students as Co-creators: the emerging role of students as co-creators of their learning experience

Assessing online collaboration to replicate authentic clinical practice

Membership:

• Newcastle University SDG Committee
• NUTELA (Newcastle University Technology Enhanced Learning Advocates)
• Association for Learning Technology, Associate Member
• HaSS TEL Subcommittee

Qualifications: 

• Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Master of Education (distinction)
• PGCert Educational Leadership (distinction) 
• BA (Hons) Leadership & Management (1st).
• HNC Business Management

Previous Positions at Newcastle University 

• Senior Programme Coordinator - Faculty of Medical Sciences, Graduate School 2016 - 2019 
• Lead Administrator - Human Nutrition Research Centre 2008 - 2016
• Clinical and Programme Support Officer - Education, Communication and Language Sciences 2006 - 2008
• Training and Support Officer - North Leadership Centre 2002 - 2006

Through CPD and scholarship, I have completed small scale primary and secondary research on:

• The impact of collaborative approaches to designing technology-enhanced Executive Education
• Implementing a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in Higher Education
• Technology Enhanced Learning as a Tool for Curriculum Innovation in UK Higher Education Institutions
• The role of Leadership in building a technology-enhanced learning culture in higher education
• Strategic implementation of blended learning in HE
• The Impact of performance management and appraisal on employee performance at Newcastle University

I have taught modules on various programmes, including:

• Learning and Teaching Development Programme
• Digital Learning Programme
• Certificate of Advanced Studies in Academic Practice (CASAP)
• Newcastle Educational Practice Scheme (NEPS)