Following a huge resurgence in Principal Fellowship networks in the UK, Marita Grimwood, Senior Adviser – Teaching Fellowships at Advance HE, shares exciting future plans for a network in Australasia. 

Following a recent surge in interest in Principal Fellowship (PF) networks, I’ve been reflecting on just how much energy there is across our community, both in the UK and increasingly on a global stage. One of the most exciting developments has been the strong appetite to establish a new Principal Fellowship Network in Australasia, marking an important step in continued international growth.

Since Principal Fellowship was first introduced in 2012, the community has grown to almost 2,500 Principal Fellows worldwide. Each brings extensive impact in the strategic leadership of high-quality learning; something that has never been more important in today’s higher education landscape, where visionary and transformative leadership is critical.

A new chapter: exploring an Australasian network

Earlier this year, with the support of one of our Australia-based Professional Standards Framework (PSF) consultants, we held an inaugural meeting to explore interest in establishing a Principal Fellowship network in Australasia. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

There was a clear and enthusiastic ‘yes’ from colleagues across the region, alongside a shared recognition of the value that a connected network could bring. From supporting new and aspiring Principal Fellows to enabling collaboration among established leaders, there is a strong desire to create a vibrant, regionally relevant community.

Principal Fellowship in Australasia at a glance

• There are 184 PFs in Australasia, across 40 member institutions in Australia and New Zealand.
• The Australasian network scoping session included opening panel contributions from Principal Fellows Professor Karen Smith (Victoria University of Wellington, NZ) and Dr Dino Willox (University of Queensland, Australia), who provided a personal perspective of their Principal Fellow journeys and expectations.
• The session was attended by 20 Australasian Principal Fellows from universities across Australia and NZ.

As plans begin to take shape, we are drawing on the experience of our UK networks while remaining mindful of the need to reflect local context. My hope is that this network will not only support colleagues in Australasia but also become an integral part of a broader, global Principal Fellowship community.

Learning from a resurgence in UK networks

The development of the Australasian network comes at a time of renewed momentum across our UK-based PF networks. For over a decade, regional communities have flourished across Scotland, Wales and England. More recently, we’ve seen a resurgence in activity, with both established and emerging networks exploring new ways to connect and collaborate.

Along with Louise Lumsden, Head of Fellowship and Teaching Excellence Awards at Advance HE, I recently brought together network leads from across the UK. This provided a valuable opportunity to share practice, discuss future support and consider how we can strengthen collaboration across regions.

What stood out was the energy and openness across the community. Whether discussing knowledge-sharing initiatives or new ways to support aspiring Principal Fellows, there was a clear sense of shared purpose.

Collaboration, creativity and collegiality

At the heart of these networks is a commitment to collaboration. Across regions, Principal Fellows are creating spaces that encourage both formal and informal exchange – supporting everything from strategic dialogue to practical innovation.

Gemma Witton, co-lead of the West Midlands (England) network, captured this well when reflecting on their approach:

“The informal online discussions have been particularly useful for shaping the direction and themes of future activity. We’ve also hosted a face-to-face event, which has already led to some promising ideas for future collaboration. There’s a strong sense of collegiality – everyone has been incredibly generous in sharing ideas, innovations and advice.”

These kinds of approaches which blend structure with flexibility, offer valuable insight as we think about how the Australasian PF network might evolve.

Established networks shaping practice and impact

Our more established networks continue to demonstrate the impact that sustained collaboration can have.

In Scotland, for example, the Principal Fellow Network has been operating in its current form for six years, led by Dr Alison Nimmo and coordinated by Prof Fiona Smart. The network plays multiple roles: as a supportive community, a platform for debate and a voice for sector influence.

Its contribution to the QAA Scotland Enhancement Theme on resilient academic leadership highlighted the strategic impact of Principal Fellows, while ongoing research is exploring how professional values shape leadership practice.

Elsewhere, the North West (England) network has recently been revitalised under the leadership of Dr Nicholas Weise, adopting a distributed model that reflects the strengths of its members. Their plans for online inaugural lectures for new Principal Fellows demonstrate the continued creativity within these communities.

Looking ahead: towards a connected global community

The potential to connect these regional networks more intentionally to create a richer, more collaborative global community of Principal Fellows is exciting.

The emerging Australasian network is a key part of this vision. By building connections between regions, sharing learning and supporting each other’s development, we can strengthen strategic leadership in teaching and learning across the sector.

Getting involved

If you are interested in connecting with a network, whether in the UK or as part of the emerging Australasian community, there are many opportunities to get involved.

Most UK regional networks can be found on Advance HE Connect. As the Australasian network progresses, we look forward to sharing further updates and opportunities to engage.

If you’d like to find out more or connect with a network, please do get in touch at [email protected].