Senior Lecturer (DForenPsy Academic Director)

Job responsibilities

The above 0.2 FTE post is available from August 2025 on a fixed term basis for 1 year in the Doctoral Clinical PGR Programmes Portfolio within the Department of Psychology and Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (HLS).

Job DescriptionThe academic curriculum of the University of Exeters Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (DForenPsy) programme enables trainee Forensic Psychologists to become evidenced-based reflective scientist practitioners of Forensic Psychology making a positive difference across individuals and services.

The post will include responsibility for the ongoing enhancement of design, development and delivery of the academic element of the high quality doctoral forensic psychology training programme (DForenPsy); to plan, oversee and audit the academic components of the DForenPsy programme. The post holder will also review and develop the academic modules and ensure that the academic components of the DForenPsy programme meet all the requirements of the BPS accreditation criteria, HCPC regulatory framework and the University TQA manual.

Main purpose of the job: Provide academic leadership to the DForenPsy programme and contribute to the Facultys research/impact work as appropriate in existing areas of strength in our DClinPGR team.

You will be a highly experienced practitioner who will be dedicated to the task of preparing future Psychologists to become ethical and effective Forensic Psychologists, who understand and can apply leadership in the different service and other contexts they meet.

You will have responsibility for managing and monitoring the academic aspect of the DForenPsy within DCPGR and their associated operational administration, curriculum development, and quality management and enhancement (including accreditation /registration by relevant professional institutions where appropriate). You will be responsible for ensuring that pedagogical innovation in the training of Forensic Psychologists is adopted for delivery of the academic curricula within the DForenPsy to meet the needs of the changing landscape of organisations. You will work with the Programme Directors / Director of PGT/PGR to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the Programmes in accord with the Facultys education strategy and implementing the External Affairs strategy. You will also contribute directly to teaching in one or 2 more of the disciplinary areas in the DForenPsy and to the development and implementation of innovative teaching practices across DClinPGR and the Faculty.

Main duties and accountabilities: Teaching and Learning Support

1. Responsibility for managing the academic components of the DForenPsy, including oversight of day-to-day operational processes (e.g. timetabling, assessment, examination systems), and programme accreditation / registration processes.

2. Support the DForenPsy Programme Directors by reporting on all academic governance aspects of the DForenPsy at the Programme Strategic Management Team (SMT).

3. Work with The Programme Directors / Director of PGT/PGR to ensure enhancement and quality insurance of the curriculum across the Faculty and regularly review programme content and materials, updating when required.

4. Support the PGR/PGT Directors / Directors of Portfolio in the development and implementation of the Facultys Education Strategies and contribute to the development of academic policies across DCPGR and the Faculty in line with University aims and relevant performance indicators.

5. Teach a range of material on the programme.

6. Develop, promote and implement innovative teaching practices (with support from our Teaching Quality Assurance and Enhancement department), including technology enhanced learning.

7. Oversee the monitoring of student progress and provide advice and guidance to Academic Tutors and students as appropriate, including oversight of the needs of students with special requirements and processes pertaining to mitigating circumstances.

8. Engage with DCPGR, the Faculty and University Centre in working groups and committees as required.

9. Ensure the systematic provision of high-quality academic elements of the programme in forensic psychology, specifically to plan, oversee and audit the academic components of the DForenPsy programme. Review and develop the academic modules and ensure that the academic components of the DForenPsy programme meet all PSRB requirements including BPS accreditation criteria, HCPC audit and programme approval processes and University TQA manual.

10. Manage the work of the Academic Team, including supervision, training and induction of Academic Tutors.

11. Coordinate and support the work of programme convenors and external teachers.

12. Chair appropriate programme committees overseeing the academic programme.

13. Support the Programme Directors in reviewing and updating academic assessment conventions and regulations.

14. With the support of the Programme Directors, oversee module review and development for the programme as a whole.

15. Write and maintain relevant sections of the Programme handbook and policies.

16. Contribute to other administrative duties as directed by the DForenPsy Programme Director and / or PGR / PGT Directors.

17. Develop a research/impact programme that enriches the DForenPsy teaching (independently or with others in the clinical psychology research group).

18. Contribute to teaching and training in the broader clinical / professional areas of DCPGR / School as directed by the DForenPsy Programme Director and / or PGR / PGT Directors.

19. Contribute to the planning and delivery of DForenPsy post-qualification continuing professional development.

20. Promote the involvement of people with lived experience in the curriculum.

Managing people

1. Contribute to the development of teams and individuals through the appraisal system and providing advice on personal development.

2. Act as a personal mentor to peers and colleagues.

3. Resolve problems affecting the quality of programme delivery and student progress.

4. Deputise for the DForenPsy Programme Directors as directed / required on committees and meetings relating to academic issues

Scholarship

1. Conduct individual or collaborative scholarly projects.

2. Identify sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds for scholarly activities.

3. Be aware and informed of developments in higher education relevant to the development of teaching and learning strategies within DClinPGR and the Faculty.

Communication

1. Disseminate conceptual and complex ideas to a wide variety of audiences using appropriate media and methods to promote understanding.

2. Liaise with external bodies (PSRBs) and contribute to the wider training community in Forensic Psychology as negotiated with the DForenPsy Programme Directors and as appropriate to the role (e.g., BPS committee work, external examining).

Liaison and Networking

1. Lead and develop internal networks for example by chairing and participating in DClinPGR, Faculty or University committees or working groups.

2. Act as an external examiner to other Institutions and provide professional advice as appropriate.

3. Lead and develop external networks for example with external examiners and assessors.

4. Develop links with external contacts such as other educational bodies, employers, and professional bodies to foster collaboration.

Teamwork

1. Lead teams within areas of responsibility.

2. Ensure that teams within the DClinPGR work together.

3. Act to resolve conflicts within and between teams.

Pastoral care

1. Deal with referred issues relating to pastoral care of students, referring them to sources of further help if required.

2. Provide first line support for colleagues, referring them to sources of further help if required.

Initiative, problem solving and decision-making

1. Resolve problems affecting the delivery of programmes and modules in accordance with regulations.

2. Make decisions regarding the operational aspects of educational programmes.

3. Monitor student progress and retention.

4. Identify opportunities for strategic development of new programmes or appropriate areas of activity and contributing to the development of such ideas.

Planning and managing resources

1. Contribute to the overall management of the faculty in areas such as resource management, business and programme planning.

2. Be responsible for setting standards and monitoring progress against agreed criteria for area of responsibility.

3. Be involved in faculty level strategic planning and contribute to the Institutions strategic planning processes.

4. Plan and deliver consultancy or similar programmes and ensure that resources are available.

5. Contribute to the selection of trainees

6. Attend staff meetings, appropriate committees and examination boards, as appropriate

7. Contribute to the assessment of trainees academic, clinical and research performance, including appraisal.

This job description summarises the main duties and accountabilities of the post and is not comprehensive: the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties of similar level and responsibility.

Qualifications

Essential

• Good honours degree in psychology or a related discipline (at least a 2:1 or equivalent).
• Possess a depth or breadth of specialist knowledge(demonstrated by a
• PhD/Professional Doctorate in Forensic Psychology, or equivalent qualification or experience) relating to the discipline in order to teach and support learning within the area.
• Professional qualification in Forensic Psychology and eligible for Chartered Forensic Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society.
• Evidence of sustained continuing professional development and practice.
• Evidence of sustained continuing professional development and practice.
• Maintain Accreditation / registration status as appropriate, e.g. HCPC registration as Practitioner Psychologist.
• Ability to achieve Senior Fellow of the HEA within 2 years.

Desirable

• Senior Fellow of the HEA.
• Be externally recognised as a scholar or teacher.
• Further post graduate qualifications (e.g. clinically relevant PhD) or training in research areas/populations of interest to the DForenPsy.

Behavioural Characteristics

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal
• communication skills.
• Able to work collaboratively with
• team members to deliver
• objectives.
• Ability to relate constructively to
• colleagues; ability to work
• independently and as part of a
• team.
• Excellent influencing and
• negotiating skills across a range
• of levels and disciplines with the
• ability to manage conflict.
• Able to communicate complex
• and conceptual ideas to a range
• of groups.
• Able to participate in and develop
• external networks.
• Be able to demonstrate
• independent and self-managing
• working styles.
• Have knowledge of tertiary
• education and be able to use a
• range of delivery techniques to
• enthuse and engage trainees.
• Ability to interpret and to put into
• operation national strategies at a
• local level.
• Ability to work in a complex and
• rapidly changing environment.
• Conscientious, Well-organised
• with good administration skills.
• An understanding of the
• importance of equality and
• diversity within an organisation
• and a commitment to helping
• create an inclusive culture.
• Able to identify potential sources
• of funding.
• Be a strategic thinker.

Experience

Essential

• Have experience of teaching,
• curriculum development and
• quality management and
• enhancement in an HE
• environment.
• Undergraduate, post-graduate
• and post-qualification teaching in
• relevant areas of forensic
• psychology.
• Experience in delivering teaching
• in a Doctoral Clinical/forensic
• psychology programme.
• Participation at national level in
• relevant professional leadership
• e.g. With the BPS and/or DFP.
• Teaching/training in clinical areas
• Clinical and/or research
• supervision experience.
• Experience and interest in
• developing and supporting
• clinical research.

Desirable

• Have proven Leadership qualities
• in an HE environment.
• Experience of working as a
• forensic psychology trainer on
• forensic psychology training
• programmes at a senior lead
• level.
• Post-doctoral research
• experience; Supervision of
• graduate research students;
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate
• an evidence-based research culture within a clinical
• psychology setting.

Skills and Understanding

Essential

• Have experience of managing
• teams and/or functions in a busy
• environment with conflicting
• priorities.
• Possess an in-depth
• understanding of own specialism
• to enable the development of
• new knowledge and
• understanding within the field.
• Involvement in clinical/forensic/
• professional training programmes
• at senior level normally requiring
• lead responsibility for a core
• management function.

Desirable

• Specialist clinical / therapy skills
• and evidence of related CPD
• activity.
• Evidence of conducting
• Research and scholarship of
• national/international standing.
• Builds critical mass in embedding
• pedagogical innovation.
• Skills in supervision.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).