A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) doctor has been nationally recognised for his leadership skills within academia.
Dr Clive Palmer, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sport and Health Sciences, was appointed as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) after being chosen by an international review panel.
The prestigious Fellowship is awarded by Advance HE to academics who demonstrate sustained and effective strategic leadership in academic practice and can evidence their impacts in academic development at institutional, national and/or international levels, all as key contributions to high-quality student learning.
Dr Palmer, who becomes only the seventh UCLan academic to receive the industry award, said: “I am delighted to receive this prestigious award which recognises my leadership at a strategic level to promote learning through postgraduate research, and my commitment to widening participation in teaching and learning at a doctoral level. It was a valuable process of reflection and review, and I am very grateful for the advice and support I received along the way.”
Already a National Teaching Fellow within the HEA, has for the last 10 years focused his attention on postgraduate learning. He was shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year’ in the 2021 Times Higher Education Awards and in 2022 he was named the winner of FindAUniversity.com’s PhD Supervisor of the Year.
Dr Palmer, from Northwich, is also accredited as a recognised research supervisor by the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE), the first person at UCLan to receive this accolade, and actively seeks to share the benefits of his experience with colleagues at UCLan, and nationally through UKCGE committees. He is also the Editor-in Chief of the Journal of Qualitative Research in Sports Studies, and institutional lead and creator for the new doctoral pathway at UCLan, PhD by Portfolio.
Andrea Fergusson, Head of the Graduate Research School at UCLan, commented: “I am thrilled to hear that Clive has achieved Principal Fellow status, it is richly deserved recognition for his commitment and contribution to the student experience at a doctoral level across the University.
“Clive is well-known in the wider HE community for his work, and generous sharing of his expertise in supervision and research methods. He thoroughly deserves this high level of professional recognition as Principal Fellow.”