Integrating New Research Faculty into the UK Computer Science Education Community

A vibrant Computer Science Education (CSE) Communityof Practice is emerging in the United Kingdom and Ireland(UK&I), promoted by national and international professionalbody/learned society specialist interest groups and supportedthrough a number of CSE research and practice conferences.This workshop explores how this community of practiceaddresses the needs of new academics to UK&I higher education and what opportunities there are to bring togetherand develop new academics as part of this community.The complex and contested demands of learning and teaching in UK&I higher education make the early career of anacademic challenging [4] and potentially lonely [1], especially when balanced against their research aspirations, andwider professional service commitments. Learning and teaching development in the UK commonly involves working towards Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy [2] (nowknown as AdvanceHE), either by direct application or byan accredited university postgraduate course. Typically, thisis supported by mentoring from within a department. Thequality of learning provided will be promoted in part by thestrength of the community of practice operating within thedepartment [3] and the communities of practice that exist ata national and international level [4].At the workshop attendees will participate in a qualitative research exercise, to shape and develop a proposal tofurther promote the value of new academics engaging withCSE research to enhance their own learning and teachingactivities. In particular, addressing:1. What current and future opportunities are there toengage new CS faculty with the UK&I CSE communityof practice?2. What is the potential to supplement institutional academic/research development opportunities with national developmental opportunities?3. How can we continue to raise the profile and value ofnew CS research faculty engaging with CSE research?The workshop would consists of two hours, online remoteactivity. By attending, early-career computer science facultywould gain a better appreciation for the opportunities thereare to engage and obtain support from the UK&I CSE research community. Experienced academics, would gain abetter appreciation for the development needs of their colleagues and how this augments their research and learningand teaching roles. All participants will have the opportunity to help shape a proposal for enhanced support for newacademics.