Encounters with the Leading Edge
NEW: A vision for education and skills at Newcastle University: Education for Life 2030+
Embedding encounters with Research, Industry, Practice and Society
Encounters with the Leading Edge enrich learning through engagement with research, industry, practice and society. These encounters help students connect academic learning to real-world contexts, expert insight and the skills they need to shape their future.
What are Encounters with the Leading Edge?
Encounters can take many forms. From research-informed learning and enquiry, to live briefs, simulations, community-based projects, and collaborations with external partners. They will take place at each stage of a programme progressively, increasing in depth and complexity. They are also an opportunity to enrich programmes with our Cross-cutting Themes : Global, Digital, Social Justice, and Sustainability provide critical lenses to enhance and contextualise learning through encounters.
Four Categories of Encounter:
- Encounters with research: Engagement with current research, inquiry processes, and research communities, supporting the development and application of research skills – including independent investigation and knowledge creation.
- Encounters with industry: Engagement with current industry challenges, technologies, and professional practices, shaped through collaboration with organisations and leading professionals.
- Encounters with practice: Learning enriched by authentic professional or creative practices, standards, and environments aligned with disciplinary or vocational pathways.
- Encounters with society: Learning informed by awareness of and engagement with societal needs, values, and the public good - often through real-world projects that create meaningful impact.
These encounters are designed to help students:
- apply knowledge in real-world contexts
- engage with expert insight
- develop the mindset and skills to shape their future and society
Embedding Encounters in Programmes
All programmes will be designed to embed Encounters with the Leading Edge across the student journey. At each stage, programmes will include at least two encounters:
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one focused on research (required at every stage)
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one drawn from industry, practice, or society (one of these required per stage)
To ensure these encounters are meaningful and relevant, programme teams will be supported to tailor them to their disciplinary context, stage of study, and student needs.
All programmes must apply inclusive design to learning and teaching approaches, ensuring equitable access for all students.