Connecting with other thought leaders from the field of international education has never been more important. Though attending conferences in person has not been possible this academic year, our Summer Education Programme continues to engage with and have influence on best practice in short course learning and teaching globally. 

Michael Salmon, Associate Director – Curriculum Renewal, spoke at the Higher School of Economics/Coursera eStars Conference in December 2020, sharing his thoughts on Retaining the human factor in the move to online international education. The question of how international education functions online – whether in terms of student experience, pedagogy, cultural exchange or various other aspects – is one that we continue to take a great deal of interest in as we look to create sustainable, innovative online programming for the long-term.

Michael continued exploring this theme at the British Council International Education Virtual Festival in January 2021, delivering a paper titled Virtually abroad: a useful conception for short-term mobility? This well-received session formed part of a wider workshop on innovation within UK higher education as a response to the pandemic.

In March, Summer Programmes will be hosting the 3rd TNE Hub Symposium, and we are looking forward to connecting with researchers and practitioners in transnational education. Dr Alexander Heinz, Chair of King’s Summer Executive and Hannah Bond, Associate Director – Learning & Teaching, will be speaking on the topic of Creating effective learning communities in TNE.  

Also in March, Dr Heinz has been appointed to the honorary role of e-Learning Dean for an expert course on Short Term Programming at NAFSA: Association of International Educators. 

As the world slowly emerges from the COVID pandemic, exciting new perspectives for international educators are coming into sight. We as a sector will need to be prepared.