Professor Earle Abrahamson, University of Hertfordshire
At the recent ANTF Symposium in Hereford (20–21 May), I reflected on my experience of leading and participating in collaborative writing groups that support colleagues preparing National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) and Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) applications. These groups emerged not from strategy, but from a shared need – to find space within a highly competitive and often isolating process.
While the full WISER framework – Well-being, Innovation and Impact, Student/Staff/Stakeholders, Equity and Ethics, and Reward and Recognition – underpins the ethos of this work, it is the final element, Reward and Recognition, that continues to ground and inspire my practice.
Too often, reward is framed narrowly – as a badge, a title, or a line on a CV. Recognition, however, is something deeper. It is about seeing and being seen. In the context of award writing, recognition should not feel like a battle for validation, but a process of reflection, articulation, and community. That is where collaboration becomes powerful.
Writing for NTF or CATE is not just technically demanding – it can be emotionally exhausting. The pressure to present a “worthy” story, to navigate metrics, and to pitch achievements in just the right tone can feel overwhelming. I found that working collaboratively changes the tone entirely. It offers not just feedback, but fellowship. Within these spaces, I witnessed transformation – stories that were initially hesitant becoming bold, and voices that were uncertain beginning to own their impact.
Collaboration, in this context, is not about consensus or conformity. It is about creating space for difference, for constructive challenge, and for collective insight. Through dialogue, I came to see how my own work resonated with others – and how others’ experiences helped me sharpen and articulate my own. That is the true reward.
The recognition I value most is not just institutional or national. It is the moment when someone says, “I see what you’ve done – and it matters.” These writing groups offer exactly that. In turning away from silos and towards sharing, I found a deeper sense of purpose and belonging.
There are, of course, challenges. Collaboration takes time, trust, and vulnerability. It means being open to critique, and to the uncomfortable process of rewriting – not just words, but the way we think about ourselves. Yet the opportunities far outweigh the risks.
I am increasingly convinced that collaborative writing groups can reshape the culture of reward and recognition in higher education. They foster generosity over competition, depth over display, and connection over isolation.
To those considering NTF or CATE: find your people. Share your story before it feels finished. Let others help you see its worth. Because when recognition begins within a community, the reward goes far beyond the application.
More information: X: @earleabrahamso2; LinkedIn: Earle Abrahamson; scholarshipspotlight.uk, eurosotl.org
Image: Image by free stock photos from www.picjumbo.com from Pixabay
