Claire works in Te Ama Ako, Otago Polytechnic’s Learning and Teaching Development team.

She's the first kaimahi from a New Zealand polytechnic to be awarded this fellowship, and only the second person from Aotearoa New Zealand to achieve it.

Senior Fellowship of SEDA (SFSEDA) is promoted as one of the highest forms of professional recognition in the field of educational development. 

The Staff and Educational Development Association says their Senior Fellowship is suitable for individuals "leading academic development policy, practice or scholarship, who bring about institutional or organisational change in academic development and whose work has had a significant impact on the academic development community beyond their own institution."

Last October, Claire was accepted into a small international cohort working towards Senior Fellowship with SEDA. This involved: 

• Participating in three webinars (October - November 2024), and three meetings with a mentor (December 2024 - January 2025)
• Submitting a SFSEDA portfolio by the end of February 2025. 

Feedback on Claire’s portfolio highlighted that she:

• Has a range of experiences over a lengthy career as an educator and leader
• Has a legacy and influence as an educational developer
• Exemplifies academic development leadership and role-modelling to a high standard. 

Congratulations to Claire on her achievement.