The CTL
welcomes a new director: Dr Melanie
Skead
Melanie Skead was recently appointed as Director of
the Centre for Teaching and Learning. She has moved to Stellenbosch University
from Rhodes University where she was a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Higher
Education Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL). She has been working in
Higher Education since 1988 and holds a PhD in English and two professional
qualifications in education including a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher
Education (Academic Development) from Rhodes University. Melanie has been
active in academic development since 2003. Her experience in the field spans
across student, staff and curriculum development as well as academic leadership
at various higher education institutions including Vista University, Fort Hare
and Nelson Mandela University and Rhodes University where she coordinated the
National and Rhodes PGDip (HE) and supervised PhD students. Her research
interests include educational pathways for academic developers, academic agency
in curriculum transformation and problematizing notions of quality in higher
education. She has published academic papers in the areas of Writing Centre
development, student academic development and formal learning opportunities for
academic developers. On a personal note, she has three adult children (a son
and two daughters) and one granddaughter. She hopes to settle permanently in
Stellenbosch with her husband in the near future. Melanie is a self-proclaimed
tree-hugger and is passionate about music, the arts, animal welfare and good
wine!