The Programme Design, Development, Approval and Review Team specialises in programme and portfolio development, and the approval and ongoing management and quality assurance of all programmes of study, ensuring the University can offer students an innovative, market-driven portfolio of programmes with quality of learning, teaching and student experience assured.
Academic Quality Development Officer
James Bennett, Academic Quality Development Officer: Programme Design, Development, Approval and Review
James leads the sub-team responsible for programme design, development, approval and review, with oversight of the University’s programme approval processes as well as Annual Programme and Annual Module Review and quinquennial Quality Review. James is an Associate Fellow of AdvanceHE and an Accredited Member of The Association of University Administrators as well as the AUA Advocate for Swansea University.
James is aslo a Secretary to The Programme Management Board, The Programme Approval Committee and The Academic Advisory Committee and the AQS Quality Partner for The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science and The College, Swansea University (TCSU).
Email: d.j.bennett@swansea.ac.uk
Academic Quality Engagement Officer
Lucy Richards, Academic Quality Engagement Officer: Programme Design, Development, Approval and Review
Lucy joined Academic Quality Services in April 2023, having previously worked as a Teacher of English and Deputy Head of English in a secondary school. Prior to this, Lucy has been employed in a range of roles; in both the public and private sectors; that have enhanced her knowledge and skills in the areas of quality customer service and financial accounting.
Lucy works primarily in the Programmes Team, supporting programme design, development, approval and review processes. In addition, she also acts as Secretary to The Programme Management Board, The Programme Approval Committee and The Academic Advisory Committee. Lucy obtained a degree in Law from Swansea University in 2012.
Lucy is passionate about ensuring that students are provided with a high-quality experience in their higher education and is driven to support the continuous improvement of the programmes available at Swansea University with a focus on inclusivity, employability, and curriculum design.
Email: lucy.richards@swansea.ac.uk
Academic Quality Engagement Officer
Dr Laura Baker, Academic Quality Engagement Officer: Programme Design, Development, Approval and Review
Laura joined Academic Quality Services in April 2022, working primarily in the Programmes Team, supporting programme design, development, approval and review processes. In addition, she also acts as Secretary to The Programme Management Board, The Programme Approval Committee and The Academic Advisory Committee, and an AQS Engagement Officer for The Faculty of Science and Engineering and The College, Swansea University (TCSU).
A current project of focus is the use of data to guide processes.
Laura has a longstanding relationship with Swansea University, initially joining in 2014 as a Biology BSc student. Following, in 2022, Laura gained her PhD in Microbial Genetics within Swansea University’s Medical School. Laura spent a year working as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in a multidisciplinary project across the university, prior to joining AQS. Whilst maintaining a passion for all things science, she is keen in developing her knowledge in her other passion, Higher Education and associated processes, with the goal of aiding the next generation of students obtaining the best experience at Swansea, similar to her own.
Email: l.m.baker@swansea.ac.uk