Quality and Standards SIG
About the Quality and Standards SIG
The Quality and Standards SIG intends to develop online resources in the following areas for administrators (non-specialists or those just starting out in quality support) wishing to learn more about AQ/QA.
– Finding out about academic quality and standards in HE
– Learning the quality and standards vocabulary
This SIG adds value to the sector by focusing on enhancing the professionalism of HE administrators who support the quality processes in HE.
What can you expect from the Quality and Standards SIG?
In the longer term, the group will develop at least one practical guide on supporting the quality processes in HE. The SIG will be seeking contributions to discussion papers/resources focusing on some of the following issues:
– Innovative approaches to Quality Assurance (QA)
– The enhancement issue
– Student engagement in QA (SSLCs, surveys, etc) – and the ‘student as customer’ debate
– Measuring quality without policing
– Synergies between QA of taught and research provision
To access more information and become a member of this SIG, sign into your AHEP account. Not an AHEP member? Join now!
Meet the Coordinators
Nikki Sowerby (she/her), Quality and Standards Coordinator
Senior Collaborative Partnerships Quality Manager
University of Portsmouth
Nikki currently works at the University of Portsmouth as Senior Collaborative Partnerships Quality Manager. Prior to this, she held a range of academic quality roles at Bournemouth University and the University of Portsmouth.
Nikki has worked in higher education for 28 years and has been an active member of AHEP (formerly AUA) throughout her career. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Public Administration.
Dr. Emma Ransome, Quality and Standards Coordinator
Academic Lead for Teaching and Learning
Birmingham City University
Emma Ransome currently works at Birmingham City University as an Academic Lead for Teaching and Learning. In this role, she leads on academic quality, standards, and enhancement, with a particular focus on student outcomes, inclusive practice, and course level improvement.
Emma has extensive experience of working with course teams to design and implement data informed approaches to enhancement, including continuous monitoring and evaluation processes, assessment and feedback redesign, and targeted interventions to reduce differential outcomes. Her work is closely aligned with sector expectations set by the Office for Students and guidance from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Emma holds a PhD in Education and Social Justice from Lancaster University and an MA in Teaching and Learning from the University of Birmingham. She has a strong track record of teaching, leadership, and scholarship within higher education. Alongside her work in quality and standards, Emma is actively engaged in research and sector activity exploring the implications of generative AI for teaching, assessment, and academic integrity. Her work brings together data informed enhancement, inclusive practice, and collaborative approaches to support meaningful improvements in student outcomes.