Dr David Carter - new Co-Director of Teaching and Learning for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Dr David Carter

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classics, Dr David Carter has been appointed Co-Director of Teaching and Learning for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, alongside Dr Paddy Woodman. He describes the new role as challenging, but adds that he is eager to get started and get to grips with the job.

The University of Reading has five Faculty Directors of Teaching and Learning, who work together to ensure the University's academia runs smoothly. They think about everything, from policy changes to progression rules to student matters.

The new position is comprised of many different roles. The first is quality assurance, making sure that the education we deliver to our students is of the highest standard. Another side is strategic planning. This involves attracting talented students to the University, to all of the courses we offer, so David will be involved in decisions on the courses we offer and our entry requirements. Increasingly relevant is the topic of internationalisation; the University hopes to broaden its horizons and reach further into the international market by appealing to more international students.

Dr Carter said: "Ultimately my job is to maintain the duty of care for our students. I deal with real students and real teachers who try and do their best for the University and for themselves. Academics are busy people, they deliver the most exciting and relevant degree education, hoping the students will do as best they can and become more rounded, intellectual, critical and employable, whilst also doing their own research and keeping on top of administration. If I can make it possible for them to do what they have to do then I think I will have done my job well; lecturers can focus on helping our students, because what could be more important than turning out really good graduates?

"I think that being a Faculty Director of Teaching and Learning without actually doing any teaching or learning might result in losing touch with the students, so next Spring I will continue to teach, with a short module on Greek comedy. The new job will take up a lot of my time, but I am keen also to maintain my research in Greek literature."