The document discusses SRUC's plans to achieve university status by 2021, including establishing three new faculties across its campuses. This restructure aims to improve research-informed education by facilitating closer collaboration between teaching and research staff. As the library supports this transition, opportunities exist to better link students with research through blended learning and digital resources that enhance access to expertise. Challenges include supporting remote learning and gathering student feedback to evaluate evolving services.

1. Tatiana White
11.11.2020
SRUC is in the process
of seeking degree
awarding powers: the
main opportunities
for supporting
research-informed
education in the
library service.

2. Based on The SRUC’s Strategic
plan for 2018-2023 for a 21st
century University we will
discuss the following questions:
What defines degree
awarding powers?
What is research-
informed education?
SRUC's Strategic
Plan for 2018-2023

3. Scotland’s Rural
College (SRUC) -
Degree awarding
powers on
attainment of
University status
 According to the Quality Assurance Agency:
“The title 'university college' is available to
institutions that have been granted taught
degree awarding powers.”
 An institution that offers both
undergraduate and graduate degrees is
considered a university, offering
undergraduate programs that will lead a
student towards a masters degree or a
doctorate.
 The SRUC move to University status is
planned to be in place by 2021.

4. Understanding a new University faculty
structure – promoting knowledge sharing
 A regionally-based University within 3 faculties:
North (Agri-Food and Business), Central (Rural Science and Policy)& South-
West (Pasture-based agriculture & Forestry)
 A combined academic faculty structure, improving quality control in the
delivery of student services and furthering access to the most up-to-date
industry knowledge and information:
“We are increasing the scope for students to work closely with researchers,
consultants and vets. This is an important part of our preparation for becoming a
University and a move that will help SRUC to establish itself amongst the very best
green economy universities in the world. In our new faculty model, most staff will
contribute to teaching, research and knowledge transfer” --
- Principal and CEO Professor Wayne Powell
(Source: https://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120067/strategic_plan_2018_-_23)
•

5. A rich research
knowledge-base
meeting the
challenges of the
21st century.
 The SRUC’s academic resources and University
status will have a significant and positive
national impact and global influence.
 A faculty-structured model provides increased
availability of digital resources, widening access
to scholarly resources through licensing
agreements, electronic journals and databases.
 The SRUC’s library services offer integrated
knowledge bases with comprehensive skills for
education and business in Scotland’s land-based
industries, by providing resources to meet the
challenges of growing, global food demand,
climate change and decreasing natural resources.

6. A unique
market-led,
diverse 21st
century SRUC
University
Local knowledge and supporting communities
Connecting research with knowledge exchange
An academic model allowing closer collaboration
across faculties
Integration and exchange of specialists’
knowledge
Attracting new investment

7. What is research-informed education in library
services?
Research-informed teaching is a term used to describe the different
ways in which students are exposed to research content and activities
during their time at University.
The main opportunities for supporting research-informed education in
the library service are realised by linking research and teaching,
providing students with meaningful and deep learning experiences of
real-world issues.

8. Challenges for the library in adopting a new
learning environment
Everyday tasks in user education
(help with):
 Queries relating to research
activities
 Promoting Library Management
System tools
 Devising a search strategy (incl.
MESH searches)
 Evaluating e-resources and training
on reference and citation usage
 Promotion and development of
Open Access
Embracing the challenges of
evolving learning:
 Blended learning methods, one-
way library entry/exit routes,
social distancing and virtual
activities
 Constant review of user study
experiences and distance-learning
to ensure they are effectively
supported
 Evaluation of pedagogical
approaches to distance-learning,
students’ expectations for online
material availability, library access
and video conferencing

9. Student learning experience improvements
in Library services in the 21st century
Blended
learning
opportunities,
new approaches
to library
service delivery
via interfaculty
collaboration
Developing
digital and
networking
skills
Enhancing
the link
between
research
disciplines,
professions
and teaching
Furthering the
SRUC library’s
digital presence,
visual content and
social media
communication
channels

10. Traditional library services vis-à-vis
social media (NLS example)
 The role of the library in research is pivotal. Libraries have
in-depth resources in the forms of books, journals, magazines,
articles and bibliographies. Digital tools can enhance the link
between research disciplines, professions and teaching in a 21st
century university environment
 How is social media used? Library users’ social connection
through e.g. Twitter is golden opportunity for thought-sharing
in the library’s community and beyond
 The SRUC’s Facebook presence appears not to be so prominent
in only covering closure notices? Aligning it with Twitter feed
news could potentially increase The SRUC’s library page likes
from 334 to 3,334…

11. SRUC new communication
channels and gathering
student feedback
An image-based, social media- friendly
interface for gauging student experience
feedback
What if students do not make any
comments about library service delivery?
How to target library users’ feedback?
Libraries can use Twitter to promote
programmes and library services, as well as
news from other organisations. Twitter can
be an excellent tool to build conversations
with users, address suggestions on library
service delivery.

12. Example: Using SRUC Tweet
alerts for up-to-date industry
knowledge
SRUC promotes new online data management
and industry connections
“Challenges in reducing agriculture and
maximising sequestration through changes to
management practice; multi-use of land,
sequester carbon and building biodiversity”
Twitter & YouTube Channel can solicit feedback
from partitioners, farmers, farm managers and
crofters to enhance current practices to reduce
agricultural impacts on the climate. SRUC library
could help to lead global conversations and
advance expert knowledge.

13. Opportunities in supporting
research-informed education in
the library services lie in
effective collaboration across
specialist knowledge areas:
 Further use of social media channels
 An improved learning environment and
engagement among academics, experts and
practitioners
 Aim towards smarter, more efficient
technology-friendly processes for the benefit
of all library users
 Be “locally rooted, globally – focussed” as per
Principal and CEO Professor Wayne Powell