National subject centre appoints new director

A prestigious national subject centre hosted by the University of Plymouth has appointed a leading university enterprise visionary as its new director. The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) is part of the HE Academy Subject Centre Network, promoting and supporting high quality learning and teaching in geography, earth and environmental sciences in higher education across the UK. Its new leader, Professor Pauline Kneale takes up this national directorship from her previous academic role as ProDean for the Faculty of Environment and Director of the White Rose Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning of Enterprise at the University of Leeds. Professor Kneale's academic interests include learning, teaching and enterprise, with a particular focus on developing innovative teaching and pedagogical research. Her contribution towards the development of learning and teaching has been recognised through the award of a National Teaching Fellowship and a Higher Education Academy Senior Teaching Fellowship. During Professor Kneale's six years as ProDean at Leeds, she was responsible for all aspects of learning and teaching quality assurance, promoting and enhancing student learning and the student experience in the Faculty of Environment. In parallel to this role, she was also Director of the Leeds White Rose Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning of Enterprise, working with colleagues in Leeds, Sheffield and York to embed enterprise education across all disciplines, and with students to develop their practical enterprise skills.