The three Universities at Medway came together once again on 12 September to celebrate learning and teaching innovation and pedagogic research at the annual Medway Festival of Learning and Teaching. 127 staff and students from the Universities of Kent, Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church University and colleagues from partner colleges met to reflect on this year’s theme: “Developing a culture of student engagement”.

The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Colin Bryson and Asia Scholefield, from Newcastle University, which focused on “Where are we and where are we going with student engagement?” A variety of workshops and presentations followed, which demonstrated the diversity of innovative practices undertaken by staff in partnership with their students, at the universities and colleges present.

Feedback about the Festival was on the whole very positive, with comments such as ‘a very well spent day’, ‘the keynote was very informative, also the breakout sessions’, ‘great way to make contact with colleagues from other institutions, with shared interests’. Despite the hot and packed breakout rooms, delegates enjoyed ‘hearing about colleagues’ projects and research’, ‘the good variety of topics’ and ‘student involvement.’

Some slides used during the conference will be published on the Festival website.

The call for papers for Medway Festival of Learning and Teaching 2020 will be out in early 2020 and we welcome any suggestions for a theme for next year.

The Medway Festival Organising Team (CCCU, University of Greenwich and University of Kent)