Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee

Further Details can be found on the Quality Framework website.

Purpose

The principal purpose of the QAEC is to provide leadership and make decisions on all areas that relate to academic quality assurance and enhancement activities across the University.

Remit of the QASC

1. To make decisions (on behalf of Senate) on the approval of new programmes, the reapproval of existing degree programmes, changes to degree programmes (including the withdrawal or suspension), the academic approval and review of collaborative partnerships, consideration of proposals for the validation of educational and research provision from bodies without degree awarding powers, the approval of degree regulations and the approval of any exceptions to University academic policies. The QAEC will also provide oversight of certificated non-credit bearing provision.
2. To be responsible for the development, review and revision of the University’s Quality Framework and to ensure that University policies and practices are aligned with national expectations and local priorities. It will provide oversight of the approaches to quality and academic standards within the Schools.
3. To have oversight of external examining for the University.
4. To have primary responsibility for the development and implementation of University-wide academic policies and regulations, and for providing an appropriate governance framework to support, promote and enhance quality in learning and teaching.
5. To have responsibility for the monitoring of student progression, retention and achievement and to develop action plans, policies and procedures to promote improvement in these areas.
6.  In order to support fulfilment of this remit QAEC delegates the responsibility for decision making as it relates to the University’s research degree programmes to the Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee in the following areas: The approval of research degree programme proposals and their subsequent amendment and withdrawal; accreditations; regulations; policies; and the Research Degrees Code of Practice. In addition, the QAEC delegates responsibility for quality assurance and enhancement activities, such as annual monitoring to the Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee. The administrative functions of research PPRs shall be undertaken by the QAS office with outcomes being reported to the Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee. Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee will provide reports to the QAEC on decisions made and actions taken under this delegated authority and may refer points of clarification or contention to QAEC for decision if required.

Committee Membership 2024/25

Convener: Professor Blair Grubb, Vice-Principal Education

• Euan Black, Director, QAS
• Professor Nick Brewer, Assistant Vice-Principal, Education
• Professor Michael Gratzke, Director, Doctoral Academy
• Lesley Sinclair, Director, Registry
• Sean O’Rourke, Global Partnerships Representative
• Karen Martin, Head of Enquirer & Applicant Communications
• Christine Kingsley, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, DJCAD
• Dr Al Watson, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, BUS
• Dr Andrew Mason, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, DENT
• Lesley McKinlay, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, HS
• Janeth Warden-Fernandez, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, HSSL
• Dr David Booth, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, LS
• Professor Jenny Woof, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, LS
• Professor Susie Schofield, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, MED
• Dr Niall Dodds, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, SCEN
• Dr Rachel Menzies, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance & Enhancement, SCEN
• Nicole Okoro, Vice-President Representation, DUSA
• Dani McFawns, Vice-President Academia, DUSA
• Committee Secretary: Alex Anderson