Mrs Susan Ann Robson

National Teaching Fellow 2008 Sue Robson is Principal Lecturer and Subject Leader for Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton University. A deep commitment to developing the knowledge, skills and understanding of students and tutors, and a passionate concern for Early Childhood, underpin her work. Sue is a University Teaching Fellow, conducting the Student Authored Books as a tool for Learning Enhancement (SABLE) project, about which students have said: "The best module of this year". "End result will be as good if not better than a piece of paper that shows I have a degree." At Roehampton she has been involved in a wide range of developments, including as a lead member of the team which introduced the innovative undergraduate Early Childhood Studies programme. She implemented a Student Academic Profile on the programme, providing academic support and guidance which predated that introduced by the University by a number of years. Sue has worked with teachers and researchers across the world. She was a Steering Group member of a HEFCE-funded FDTL5 project, MEDAL (Making a Difference:Educational Development to enhance Academic Literacy). The Director of the project comments of Sue: "An outstanding champion of learning and teaching, she has an enviable flair for encouraging colleagues, within her own university and beyond, to try out and share new pedagogic approaches."  Sue is particularly interested in the development of innovative approaches to learning, teaching and assessment, directed at meeting the needs of diverse student bodies. She has introduced flexible learning modules, particularly aimed at part-time students, and inventive approaches such as an observation-led Glossary, and student self- and peer-assessment. She has consistently emphasised the synergy of teaching and research in Higher Education. She is currently conducting funded research on 'The Voice of the Child: Ownership and Autonomy in Early Learning', findings from which have been reported to professional and academic audiences internationally. Sue has written on a range of aspects of work related to both early childhood and pedagogy. Her latest book, Developing Thinking and Understanding in Young Children: an Introduction for Students, brings together these two concerns of early childhood and support for student learning.