Dr Vikki Summers

Vikki is the course leader for the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), which forms confers both academic credit and Fellowship of the HEA. She is also course leader of the CCL Associates Programme, which is a programme designed to support the teaching and learning development of staff to gain Associate Fellowship of the HEA. Vikki is particularly interested in inclusive learning and teaching, and in supporting the development of an inclusive culture at the University of Central Lancashire.

Vikki's passion for her work in the field of education, learning and teaching is underpinned by her own experience of coming into HE as a mature student from a non-traditional background. She started as an undergraduate at the University of Central Lancashire at the tender age of 37 and began working as an Associate Lecturer whilst doing her PhD. Since gaining her doctorate, Vikki has worked across the university in several areas, including Student Support and Wellbeing and Peer-Assisted Learning, as well as teaching in English Literature and American Studies, before becoming involved in teaching in Academic Development. Vikki has a strong interest in facilitating the creation of Learning Communities and Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL), which was sparked when she joined the Flying Start Bridging Project, developing and delivering residential events for applicants. Vikki employed and trained a large team of 2nd and 3rd year student PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Supporters) to work with the Project, empowering the PALS to go on to embed their new skills and learning in their own and other courses. Vikki is a qualified Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) Supervisor, through the North European Centre for Supplemental Instruction in Sweden. Vikki also spent two years in the role of Acting Head of Student Support and Wellbeing and during this time worked closely with a number of areas including the Welfare & Counselling teams and Disability Services. This experience further developed Vikki’s enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise with regard to taking an inclusive approach to Learning and Teaching and this has had a lasting impact on her work in Academic Development for staff.