A potentially significant ‘milestone’ for my own career development came about this month when the Dean of Faculty offered me the role of ‘Director of Teaching and Learning’ for the Faculty, which is the largest in the institution. Whilst not a promotion, or a post in itself, this is a considerable responsibility that encompasses much of the strategic work I already do, but formalizes and recognizes it within the Faculty management structure. I officially start the role next month, but effectively it will commence with the new academic year in September.

In the middle of the month I enjoyed three-days ‘out’ at the national, annual Joint Social Work Education conference (JSWEC) at the University of Hertfordshire. I participated in the conference as part of a group of colleagues and students; we all travelled together in a mini-bus-type vehicle that I drove (a real charabanc!) – see photo of the ‘mottly crew’ at the conference dinner, below.  I gave one joint presentation on behalf of a colleague who was unable to attend, and also put up a poster presentation on the SCOTs project.  The conference was excellent, well-organised and very informative.  I really enjoyed meeting lots of colleagues ‘old’ and new, some of whom I hadn’t seen for some years, so a fabulous networking opportunity.

Finally, as I write this at the end of July, I am about to go on annual leave, starting with a holiday in Germany and Austria.  Over the next two weeks, we will be cycling along the River Danube tow-path from Germany into Austria, from Passau to Vienna. Photographs to follow next month!