Qualifications
Deborah Baff MA ODE, MSc, BSc (Hons), PG Cert Mgt, COLF, FHEA,CMALT
Background
I’m a Certified Online Learning Facilitator (COLF) of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am also a Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technology and currently undertaking a part time PhD at Lancaster University in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning . My PhD research interest relates to social support online and how educators wellbeing can be enhanced through connecting in social network sites. I am a open education practitioner and a proud member of the Global OER Graduate Network.
I’m on Twitter @debbaff which is probably the easiest way to contact me.
Current Role
I joined JISC in December 2021 as a Subject Specialist in Digital Practice (Digital Leadership) where my role focuses on the delivery and evolving design of the Digital Leaders Programme.
Qualifications
- PHd E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning | Lancaster University | In Progress | 2017 to current
- MA Online and Distance Education | Open University | PASS | 2015
- MSc Business Psychology | University of South Wales | PASS | 2014
- Professional Certificate in Management | Open University | PASS |2003
- BSc (Hons) Business Psychology |Open University |2:1|2000
- Diploma in Surveying | College of Estate Management | MERIT | 1994
Professional Accreditation
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy |FHEA 2015
- Certified Online Learning Facilitator |COLF The Learning and Performance Institute | 2019
- Prince 2 Foundation Certificate in Project Management | BCS, the Chartered Instititute for IT 2016
- Previously Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (ARICS) 1994
Teaching
- PG Cert | Technology Enhanced Learning Module | Course Team Member |2016 – 2019
- Bring Your Own Device for Learning | Community Edition | Online Course Facilitator, Organiser and Mentor 2017 to Present
- Flexible, Open and Social Online Learning Course | Online Course Facilitator | 2015
- TU170 Learning Online: Computing with Confidence’ | Associate Lecturer |2000
Committee Membership
- OER20 Conference, London | Committee Member | 2020
- SUSALT19 Conference | Swansea|Conference Lead 2019
- ALTC Annual Conference | Committee Member | 2019
- OER19 Conference, Galway | Committee Member | 2019
- SUSALT18 Conference | Swansea|Conference Lead 2018
- OER18 Conference, Bristol | Committee Member | 2018
- ALTC Annual Conference | Committee Member | 2018
- #SUSALT17 Conference | Swansea|Conference Lead 2017
- OER17 Conference, London | Committee Member | 2017
- SUSALT16 Conference | Swansea|Conference Lead 2016
- Social Media in Higher Education Conference | Committee Member | 2017 to present
- Open Badges in Higher Education Conference | Organising Committee | 2016
- ALT Wales | Committee Member | 2016 to present
- OER 16 Conference, Edinburgh | Committee Member|2016
- Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Tweet Chat | Organising Team Member 2016
- ELESIG – Evaluation of Learner Experiences of E-Learning Special Interest Group | 2016
- OER15 Conference, Cardiff| Lead Organiser | 2015
- Open Education Special Interest Group| Co-Chair and Secretary | 2014 to present
Peer Review
I have acted as peer reviewer of Conference Papers for the following Conferences :
- 2022 ALTC Annual Conference
- 2022 OER22 Conference
- 2021 ALTC Annual Conference
- 2021 OER21 Conference
- 2020 OER20 Conference, The Care in Openness, London
- 2019 OER19 Conference, Recentering Open, Galway
- 2019 ALTC Annual Conference, Data, Dialogue, Doing, Edinburgh
- 2019 Social Media for Learning and Teaching in HE Annual Conference, Ormskirk
- 2018 ALTC Annual Conference 25th Anniversary Conference, Manchester
- 2018 OER18 Conference, Open to All, Bristol
- 2018 Social Media for Learning and Teaching in HE Annual Conference, Ormskirk
- 2017 OER17 Conference, The Politics of Open, London
- 2016 OER16 Conference, Open Culture, Edinburgh
- 2016 Open Digital Badges in HE Conference, Southampton
- 2015 OER15 Conference, ‘Mainstreaming Open Education’ Cardiff
I have also managed abstract submissions and coordination of the peer review process for the OER15 Conference and all SUSALT Annual Conferences between 2016 and 2019.
Previous Roles
I have twenty five years experience of working within Higher Education. My experience focuses on both the student and staff experience. I have worked across several institutions including the Open University, University of Wales Newport (now University of South Wales) and Swansea University.
Prior to working for Jisc I was employed as the Membership and Professional Development Manager for ALT Association for Learning Technology between 2019 and 2021. ALT’s activities are mostly focused online, supporting the work of and providing services to over 3500 members across the UK and internationally. I was responsible for developing and managing ALT’s Membership services for individuals and organisations across all sectors. I also supported the work of Members and Special Interest Groups and governance through the ALT Assembly. I was responsible for the management and development of the CMALT Accreditation Framework. (The Framework provides pathways to peer-assessed accreditation for Learning Technology professionals in the UK and internationally. CMALT is for all professionals who are actively involved in understanding, managing, researching, supporting or enabling learning with the use of Learning Technology.)
Other previous roles have included :-
- Senior Academic Developer
- Project Manager
- Head of Student Registry
- School Registrar
- Acting Head of Admissions
- Deputy Head of Admissions
- Deputy IT Facilitator
- Student Support Administrator
- Associate Lecturer
- Chartered Surveyor (see below)
I am also a fully qualified Chartered Surveyor, specialising in Estate Management. I was a Junior Surveyor for a firm of International Property Advisors in Cardiff called DTZ Debenham Thorpe and undertook my Surveying qualifications over four years part time while working full time. I was admitted as a Professional Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on completion of my Assessment of Professional Competence in 1995. I worked across all areas of Estate Management including commercial agency, residential land, valuation and rating, property management, receivership work, building surveying, rent reviews, and lease renewals.
I was subsequently made redundant during the property market downturn during the recession in 1996 and took this opportunity to change direction and having always loved learning, made the decision to pursue a career in education.
