Professor Angela O’Sullivan, Chair of the Committee of the Association of National Teaching Fellows
Every year the Committee of the Association of National Teaching Fellows (CANTF) puts out a call for a venue for the next symposium. As Chair of CANTF it’s always an exciting time wondering what part of the UK we will be off to next and who we will meet. We try and move the symposium to different regions whilst also considering accessibility.
And so it was that I set off to a site visit at New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE). The last hour of the journey took me through the most beautiful landscapes and when I arrived in Hereford I was delighted to discover this gem of a cathedral city with a historic bridge spanning the River Wye. It was like going back in time but as I was shown around by NMITE colleagues I realised that Hereford is buzzing with very up-to-date culture.
The symposium venue is a short distance from the city centre and there is easy access by buses. On arrival at the campus venue, I was surprised to find very modern purpose-built accommodation in a beautiful tranquil setting. There is a large atrium for registration and networking, a large room for the keynote sessions and bright easily accessible break out rooms. It’s all on ground level and you can step outside for fresh air and a break. I could easily imagine NTFs and CATEs and aspiring colleagues enjoying this venue and networking in such a lovely, inspiring setting.
With our venue secured we began the planning process under the guidance of our Symposium lead, Professor Wendy Garnham. Before long the call for abstracts was out and committee members were reviewing and meeting to finalise the programme. Advance HE always support us with event planning, and we really appreciate their knowledge and experience. It seems like a straightforward process but there is a tremendous amount of work in the background and we thank Wendy for all the hours she has put in to accommodate the presenters, speakers and delegates.
And now it’s May, and I can’t believe that it’s time for me to revisit the beautiful city of Hereford. The programme is packed full of presentations relating to our WISER themes and in its digital form it is easy to look through and choose where you would like to attend. I say easy, but actually there are some difficult decisions to make with the parallel sessions and there is such a wealth of expertise on show. Whether you are an experienced practitioner who wants to keep abreast of the latest innovations, an aspiring NTF or CATE team who would like some guidance or maybe an NTF who wishes to consider joining our committee, we have catered for you. Everyone who attends the CANTF symposium is so collegiate and friendly so if anyone misses a session they will be able to catch up with the presenters in one of the refreshment breaks and make new links. This is the real beauty of the CANTF symposium, teaching excellence spreading amongst colleagues for colleagues.
I hope you will be able to join us, there is something for everyone, including a photo competition for the best picture with the infamous Hereford bull sculpture. I’m sure we will be seeing some creative entries ! There’s still time to book and if you have never been to Hereford I know you will enjoy a visit to this hidden treasure.
For more information: Visit our Symposium 2025 webpage
Image: Hereford bull statue, extracted from #ANTF2025 Delegate Pack
