Dr Michael Willett

(he/him)

BA (Hons), MA, PhD, SFHEA

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Drawing on my background in English Language, Linguistics and Literature, I am interested in how poetic and literary devices are used to create meaning in educational discourse. For example, educators often use metaphors to conceptualise their role as teachers or facilitators (e.g., as gardeners, supporting the growth of their learners, or as tour guides, navigating their learners safely and fostering a sense of exploration).

As a pianist (Grade 8 ABRSM), I am also interested in the use of music in educational settings to engage learners, along with other media and forms of expression such as film, photography and popular culture (e.g., memes). 

I have published a number of outputs on areas of interest relating to my role, and presented at several conferences in the past 5 years, including: 

Publication currently under review:

• Richards, H., and Willett, M. (2023) ‘‘Not quite student’ and ‘not quite staff’: The role of feminist pedagogy in supporting graduate students to develop their teaching skills’. Feminist Pedagogy. 

Cardiff Learning and Teaching Academy blogs:

• Willett, M. (2024) 'Creating engaging learning experiences in Higher Education: The role of music’. Available online at https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/LTAcademy/creating-engaging-learning-experiences-in-higher-education-the-role-of-music/
  
  
• Willett, M. (2023) ‘Feedback and Language Choice’. Available online at https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/LTAcademy/2023/05/02/feedback-and-language-choice/
  
  
• Willett, M. (2022) ‘Reflective Practice and Folk Pedagogies’. Available online at https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/LTAcademy/2022/10/20/reflective-practice-and-folk-pedagogies/

Conference presentations:

• Roberts, N., Lewis, A., and Willett, M. (2024) '3-2-1 Lift off! Launchpad: supporting the professional learning of postgraduates who teach'. UKCGE 6th International Conference on Developments in Doctoral Education & Training. Bath (UK), 21-22 March 2024.
  
  
• Willett, M. (2023) 'Gardeners, shephers and tour guides: Using metaphor to [re]conceptualise our teaching philosophy'. Cardiff University Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, 7-8 September 2023.

Teaching

I am currently the Programme Lead for the Associate Fellowship Programme in the Learning and Teaching Academy.

The Associate Fellowship Programme is a bespoke training and professional learning programme designed for anyone in the University who is new to teaching and supporting learning, or who teaches or supports learning as part of their role. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Graduate tutors or Graduate Demonstrators with 0-2 years’ experience
• Early-career researchers/Postdocs who undertake a fractional teaching role
• Professional Services staff with teaching or learning support roles (e.g., Student Futures, Libraries staff, etc.)
• Lab demonstrators and technicians.

The programme aligns to Associate Fellowship of the UKPSF, known as ‘Descriptor 1’, and is fully accredited by Advance-HE. Advance-HE Associate Fellow status is an internationally-recognised certification of teaching quality for Higher Education.

The topics covered in the programme include:

• Professional standards in HE learning and teaching
• Inclusion and accessibility
• Reflective practice
• Learning theories
• Classroom management
• Effective feedback practices
• Active learning techniques
• Questioning strategies
• Innovation and new directions

The programme is delivered through a series of six half-day practical workshops, each focusing on key aspects of learning and teaching. As Programme Lead, I am responsible for designing and delivering on all aspects of the programme, marking portfolio assessments as part of the wider Fellowships Team, participating in assessment panels, undertaking a range of quality assurance and quality enhancement processes, leadership and co-ordination with other members of the Fellowships team, and administrative and pastoral duties commensurate with role. I also actively participate in a range of University meetings and committees, including the Fellowships Senior Management Team, University Senior Fellows Network, Postgraduate Experience Group meetings (with College PGR Deans), and, periodically, College Education Network and Directors of Teaching and Learning meetings as appropriate.