Professor Martina A. Doolan, President of The International Federation of National Teaching Fellows (IFNTF)
The International Federation of National Teaching Fellows (IFNTF) was prominently represented at the Association of National Teaching Fellows (ANTF) Symposium 2025. Among the participants were Professor Steve Rutherford, Treasurer of the IFNTF and academic at Cardiff University, UK, and Professor Martina A. Doolan, President of the IFNTF and academic at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. Professor Rutherford’s recent appointment to the ANTF Committee as the representative for Wales marks a significant step in deepening the strategic collaboration and strengthening the ties between the ANTF and IFNTF, further promoting shared goals in advancing excellence in teaching and learning in higher education.
It was my great pleasure to attend and present a talk entitled ‘Fostering and Sustaining a Global Community of Practice: Promoting the Importance and Recognition of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education’. The Symposium was hosted by NMITE in Hereford, an inspiring institution, impressively established from the ground up. Its Skylon campus provides a truly remarkable community learning environment, one that fosters collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. Purposefully designed to support active, experiential learning, the space encourages meaningful engagement among students, staff, and partners, and reflects NMITE’s forward-thinking approach to engineering education and institutional development.
I was delighted to connect with fellow National Teaching Fellows (NTFs), aspiring NTFs, and colleagues recognised for their collaborative impactful teaching through the CATE award as well as those working towards future recognition.
The symposium fostered a welcoming friendly and vibrant atmosphere rich in the sharing of evidenced based scholarship, research and practice. It was a truly inspiring event where ideas thrived, and collaborations were initiated.
My presentation was well attended and provided valuable insights into how the International Federation of National Teaching Fellows fosters and sustains a global community of practice dedicated to advancing and recognising excellence in teaching and learning in higher education.
Drawing on the IFNTF as an exemplar, my session highlighted the power of connecting NTFs worldwide to share evidence-based pedagogy, scholarship, and research. It also showcased key strategies for facilitating meaningful exchange, participation, and collective growth in teaching and learning. The IFNTF Community of Practice is built and sustained through the generosity of its executive committee and members, who actively engage in our seminar series, annual ‘symposathon’ and contribute to e-books and newsletters, mentor colleagues, and advocate for the recognition of educators globally expanding its reach, accessibility, and collective knowledge, fostering a truly global academic community.
Participation in events such as the ANTF Symposium provides an opportunity to build meaningful dialogue and synergies between the ANTF and IFNTF organisations and to collectively champion the development and recognition of teaching excellence at international, national, and regional levels.
Sincere thanks to my fellow NTFs and all colleagues at the Association of National Teaching Fellows for organising a stimulating and thought-provoking symposium. The event provided a valuable platform for scholarly exchange and collaborative dialogue on advancing excellence in teaching and learning in higher education.
For more information visit: https://www.ifntf.org/index and http://madoolan.com/
Image: Association of National Teaching Fellows
