Academic Policy & Governance

What we do

The role of Academic Collaborations (AC) is to support the development and management of collaborations that involve students studying for an academic award from the University of Glasgow - essentially, this means learning and teaching collaborations (including PGR). These are increasingly in an international context. The office is home to the University's central Transnational Education (TNE) Team, which provides comprehensive support for the University’s TNE operations. 

In the UK, the office manages the University’s validation arrangements with three partners: The Glasgow School of Art, Scotland's Rural College and The Edinburgh Theological Seminary. The office also manages the academic oversight of programmes delivered through Glasgow International College.

How we work

Academic Collaborations takes a business partnering approach to support the development and success of collaborations with other institutions. If you are unsure about the type of collaboration you are developing, we will work with other services to ensure you are in contact with the most appropriate team(s).

What you can expect if you work with us

• We aim to act in a consulting role and are happy to be involved in early discussions about collaborative provision – in fact, it’s our preferred way of working. If we are involved in early discussions, we can often share experience which helps to shape thinking and approaches to partnership. We will adapt our approach based on your experience of establishing collaborations and partnerships.
• We will share our view of the opportunities and challenges presented.
• We will work through an assessment of risks and benefits to help inform the most appropriate approach.
• If necessary and appropriate, we will meet with any partners alongside you and other colleagues and engage in direct discussions with them.
• If necessary, we will support you to complete any paperwork required for approval.
• We will ensure that School and College management are informed and supportive of any proposal.
• We will determine what level of approval is required and whether committee approvals are required, in line with University delegated authorities. If committee approvals are required, we will ensure they are given a summary of points to consider.

How we add value

We add value to the work of the University and support our academic and professional services colleagues in the following ways:

• We are familiar with the full range of collaborative models, can explain what differentiates them and the benefits and risks associated with each. We can also advise on approaches to managing academic, commercial and regulatory risks within each of these models.
• We can draw on experience from across the institution to ensure you are well informed and to help support decision making.
• We can share examples of the ways in which collaborations with partners have been established in the past, including models for ensuring financial viability. For example, we can explore with you how fee income and spending power in a partner’s location can influence viability. If necessary, we can seek advice from other specialists within the University or from others in the HE sector.
• We can explain to you how and why particular policies apply and can help to identify the space within a policy framework to allow for partnership and collaboration to take place. We can also help to look at how a partner’s approach impacts on the way we need to collaborate. This can help provide clarity for early discussions about how to approach working with a partner – helping to build better working relationships, promoting clearer objectives and improving outcomes.
• We know the role that other services play and can direct you to them. Where necessary we will work in partnership with colleagues across other services and directorates to get you the right support.
• We can help you navigate any approval processes that may apply to a collaboration you are considering.
• Later in the process we can draw on a wide range of experience and if necessary external legal expertise to support the drafting of legally binding agreement(s) to govern a collaboration. We maintain a record of all agreements signed by the University which are concerned with collaborations leading to an academic award.

Contact us

Our dedicated contacts can provide information on how to proceed with a development and help facilitate passage from conception to implementation.

Please contact the relevant member of staff outlined below:

Collaboration Agreements - UK and International

Ms Seonaid Dodds – Senior Academic Collaborations Manager

Mrs Lynn Esson – Academic Collaborations Manager

Transnational Education

Mrs Emma O'Donnell - Senior TNE Strategy, Policy and Governance Manager

Vacancy - TNE Policy & Governance Manager

Mr Shengchun Yao - International Projects Manager

Mrs Katy McGinty - Transnational Education Co-ordinator

General TNE enquiries: trans-national-education@glasgow.ac.uk 

Validated Institutions and GIC

Mr Robert Mulholland - Academic Collaborations Manager

General Enquiries

Ms Callan McGinley - Academic Collaborations Co-ordinator

 

email: apg-academiccollabs@glasgow.ac.uk 

Or alternatively contact us:

Academic Collaborations
Rm 651 Gilbert Scott Building
University of Glasgow
Glasgow G12 8QQ
Scotland, UK

Tel: +44 (0)141 330 2332