ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This episode is the second in a series of podcasts capturing the key insights and findings from the QAA-funded Collaborative Enhancement Project: Quality Assuring Innovative Assessment Practice. Each episode in the series brings together the researchers and practitioners at the heart of this work to share what they are learning and why it matters for the sector.
In this second episode, host Nurun Nahar is joined by Claire Hughes, Suzanne Albary and Adam from the University of Southampton to explore programmatic assessment in practice. Drawing on live pilots in Games Design and Art and Fashion Marketing with Management at Winchester School of Art, they discuss replacing modules with themes and "development points", using on-track/off-track language instead of grades, and the impact on student creativity, wellbeing and staff workload. The conversation also tackles the challenges head-on — from shifting language and mindsets to e-portfolios, scale, and navigating quality assurance frameworks.
An inspiring listen for anyone rethinking assessment — from programme leaders and academics to quality assurance professionals and learning designers.
🔗 Access the resources referenced in this episode:
Kelli Nicola-Richmond, Phillip Dawson, Justin Lawson, Pearse Fay, Judi Parson, Susie Macfarlane, Sarah Riddell & Rachel Finneran (15 Apr 2026): Implementing a collaborative program-wide approach to redeveloping assessment in response to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/02602938.2026.2653886
The two pilot programmes:
Games Design and Art | BA | University of Southampton
Fashion Marketing with Management | BA | University of Southampton
Where can listeners find out more?
Via our CHEP website about the AA SMP project: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chep/advancing-assessment.page
Or contact advancing.assessment@soton.ac.uk
Claire Hughes is Assessment Consultancy Lead and a Principal Teaching Fellow in the Centre for Higher Education Practice, University of Southampton. Claire began her career as a practice led academic, having gained extensive experience in industry working for global organisations including NIKE and Manchester United Football Club and within the public sector including local authority and NHS settings. In 2010, she transitioned into Higher Education and has since built a senior leadership career spanning both academic and professional services, holding roles such as Head of Department for Solent Business and Law School, Head of Undergraduate and Partnerships for Solent Business School, and positions within quality assurance and partnerships areas. She currently draws on this experience in her current role leading the Assessment Consultancy within the Centre for Higher Education Practice (CHEP) at the University of Southampton, as part of the Advancing Assessment Strategic Major project a university-wide initiative to enhance and transform assessment practices.
Dr Suzanne Albary is a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Centre for Higher Education Practice (CHEP) at the University of Southampton, and part of the Assessment Consultancy. Previously, she has led undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in teaching practice, and business studies, and worked with students in co-design in multidisciplinary projects. Suzanne’s work focuses on curriculum re-design to enhance the student and staff experience. She works with creative research methods, publishing on pedagogy and student partnership work, and has a research methods podcast called Do Better Research.
Adam Procter is a Principal Teaching Fellow of Games and Interaction Design at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton. He is currently Head of Department of Art and Media Technology prior to this lead the BA (Hons) Games Design & Art programme for 12 years and has been working in Higher Education since 2001 and is seconded to the Department for Education 1 day a week via UKRI impact funding.
