Remit and role

Update on the Institute for Academic Development, in effect from 1 Feb 2026.

Update taken from: University statement on the changes to the Institute for Academic Development

Student and staff (academic and researcher) development remain essential to the success of the University and our community. The University will continue to provide central development support for all students, for staff who teach and support teaching, for doctoral supervisors and examiners and for all researchers.

Following a review the University is consolidating the activities into three main areas:

Student academic skills development has moved to the Careers Service 

Centrally-provided academic skills training and development will continue for students at all levels, including UG, PGT & PGR courses, workshops and events; 1:1 Study Skills consultations; StudyHub and the 3 Minute Thesis Competition. This activity and expert colleagues who deliver it will be joining the Careers Service, combining activities to support induction and transitions, Skills for Success, career development and academic skills development. This will provide opportunities to deliver more coherent and holistic support for students, as well as deeper collaboration and efficiency.

Leadership for future delivery and development of this activity will become the responsibility of Shelagh Green, Director for Careers & Employability.  

Academic development has moved to Academic Quality and Standards (Registry Services)  

Centrally-provided academic development for staff who teach and support teaching will continue. A newly-formed Academic Development Team, combining existing academic and professional colleagues, will be responsible for the delivery of this activity and will join Academic Quality and Standards in Registry Services. This change has the potential to enrich the staff development offer through greater insight from our enhancement led quality frameworks and to enable Academic Quality and Standards to stretch further into enhancement beyond compliance. The Academic Development team will connect with wider Registry Services too, bringing their academic expertise to student experience priorities such as Student Voice.  

The Head of Academic Development will be Professor Cathy Bovill, and she will join Nichola Kett, Head of Academic Quality and Standards in leadership of this provision.  

Researcher development has moved to the Edinburgh Research Office 

Established Researcher Development support will remain in place for researchers at all levels and will continue to grow. The Researcher Development Team will continue to oversee implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and has a principal role in delivering several actions outlined in the 2025–2028 action plan.

Dr Fiona Philippi will remain the Head of Researcher Development and will join Dr Jennifer Hazelton, Director of Research Strategy, Development and Impact (Interim), in leadership of this provision. Note that our institutional commitment to research cultures remains, with continued leadership in this area from Alex Peden.

Timeline

The new structure will be implemented from 1 February 2026 and the Institute will be disbanded. Throughout the remainder of 2025/26, planned activity will continue to be delivered under the IAD brand.  

Operational enablers like IAD email addresses, booking mechanisms for workshops and events, and the IAD website for digital resources will all remain active this academic year to minimise disruption for current student and staff participants.  

Transitional activity including new branding and communications will be supported and actioned in preparation for the start of the 2026/27 academic year. 

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