Curriculum Redefined: A once-in-a-career opportunity to build the next generation of education

Many of you may wonder what has driven me to cross an ocean to join the University of Leeds as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Education.

Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education

My answer is very clear. I’ve chosen to join you because Leeds has an excellent reputation, including a well-earned reputation for education. Most importantly in this case, I’ve chosen to join you to help deliver the boldest and most exciting educational strategy I’ve ever seen. We have a once-in-a-career opportunity to do something special together. I’m excited about that opportunity, and I hope you are as well.

The spine of that ambitious education strategy is Curriculum Redefined. Over the next 10 years, we have a remarkable opportunity to design a truly unique curriculum, which will help shape a better future for humanity. Together we will build an imaginative and effective approach to education, which will develop the knowledge and skills students need to succeed and make a positive impact in the world as global citizens. It will be done collaboratively, with staff and students at the very heart of it.

The why at the heart of Curriculum Redefined is about building on our considerable strengths to take a leadership position with regard to education for impact and student success. It is also clear that our current approach to education is too costly, particularly with regard to the time and energy required of staff. We need to change the status quo at Leeds to create a curriculum that is sustainable yet gives real choice to our students and brings joy to each of us. To do so, we need to do a bit of work together and with some urgency. Big changes take time, yet I am confident that we can soon make people’s work lives less complex on our way to having more fun.

We will build online and on-campus programmes that reflect diverse future careers and global perspectives, and we will remove complex structures and empower each other to deliver a fantastic student experience. Curriculum Redefined is one of the primary ways we can do all this, but we must do it together.

We will be heavily investing in people, in digital educational innovations and new technologies. Over the coming months, you’ll be hearing more about Curriculum Redefined as conversations begin to put these ambitious plans into action.

One thing that struck me right away about Leeds is how much people care about this institution and about the people here. There is a genuine love for Leeds that is clear to outsiders like me. That affection is special, and it is something I respect, will honour and want to strengthen as we work on the education strategy together. I’m excited about what is possible here and what a difference Curriculum Redefined can make to all of our lives. I invite you to join the conversations so that we can create something we’ll all be enormously proud of. I’m really looking forward to working with you.

Professor Jeff Grabill

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education

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