Professional and careers development

Transforming education in a digital world is a website for teachers and administrative staff at Lund University where the Unit for Educational Services has compiled materials, reading recommendations, and advice on digital tools and learning. Currently, we are particularly focusing on three themes: generative AI tools, accessibility, and video in teaching. You can find upcoming courses, seminars, and workshops in the calendar in both Swedish and English.

Transforming education in a digital world – education.lu.se/en

As training in teaching and learning in higher education, teaching staff are offered, among other things, higher education pedagogical courses, workshops, and seminars at the university's higher education pedagogical units. Some faculties also offer their own higher education pedagogical courses.

• For all faculties at Lund University: Division for Higher Education Development
• For the Faculty of Medicine: The Faculty of Medicine Centre for Teaching and Learning (MedCUL)
• For the Faculty of Engineering: Centre for Engineering Education (CEE)
• For the Faculty of Science: The Faculty of Science Teaching Support Unit (PLUS) 

Pedagogical recognition is the process of recognising and rewarding the development of pedagogical competence. At Lund University, it provides a structured way for educators to reflect on and document their teaching skills, professional growth, educational leadership, and contributions to student learning. This process is used for career development, promotions, and salary reviews, ensuring that pedagogical competence is valued alongside research.

Read more about pedagogical recognition and career paths (AUH)

All employees have the opportunity to travel to one of Lund University’s many partner universities in Europe with funding from the EU programme Erasmus+, to gain international experience, international qualifications and to develop or deepen existing contacts.

Teaching staff can obtain funding for teaching, lectures, seminars, supervision and examination at a partner university in Europe.

All employees can obtain funding for job shadowing, for example participation in ongoing work at a partner university, company or organisation. 

You can also get grants for study visits, participation in courses, seminars or workshops with a clear connection to your work.

Read more about Erasmus mobility and shadowing

Would you like to get new ideas, understand more about how the university works and build valuable contacts? Then job shadowing is for you.

By shadowing a colleague for a working day, you gain a unique insight into their duties, methods and day-to-day work. This can provide new insights that enrich your own role, strengthen collaboration across organisational boundaries and contribute to a greater understanding of the university’s breadth and culture.

What is job shadowing?

Job shadowing – sometimes called workplace observation – involves following a colleague in their work for a certain period of time. This may involve:

• Learning more about other functions at the university
• Gaining new perspectives on your own work
• Being inspired by how others tackle challenges
• Contributing to greater knowledge and camaraderie among colleagues

The method is simple yet powerful: you observe, ask questions and reflect on the similarities and differences between your own role and that of your colleague.

How it works

1. Prepare – Decide on the purpose and objectives of the job shadowing. What do you want to learn?
2. Match – Identify a colleague or role you wish to shadow and book a time.
3. Carry out – Follow the person for an agreed period, e.g. half a day or a full day.
4. Reflect and share – Discuss your experiences, draw lessons and consider how you can apply these insights in your own daily work.

Why job shadowing?

• Gain inspiration and new ideas.
• Develop an understanding of other parts of the organisation.
• Develop collaborations and build networks.
• Grow in your role – and contribute to a more learning-oriented working environment.

Job shadowing is a simple way to develop, make connections and see the university through new eyes.

Would you like to develop in your role, gain new perspectives and build a network?

Through mentoring, you’ll have the chance to grow alongside an experienced colleague – a mentor who shares their knowledge, experience and network.

Mentoring is a unique opportunity for those who wish to:

• Receive support and guidance in their professional development
• Reflect on their goals and their role at the university
• Build new relationships and networks across organisational boundaries
• Challenge themselves and discover new paths forward

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a relationship based on trust between a mentor and a mentee (the person receiving support). The mentor acts as a sounding board, role model and guide. The focus is on your development – both personal and professional.

As a mentee, you gain inspiration, advice and new perspectives. As a mentor, you have the opportunity to share your knowledge, contribute to others’ development and, at the same time, grow yourself through reflection and new insights.

How it works

1. Preparation: Together with your manager, you define the purpose and goals. What do you want to achieve? Is it career development, personal development or something else entirely?
2. Matching: You are matched with a mentor whose experience and interests suit your needs and goals.
3. Start-up: The mentee books the first meeting. Here you set the framework: purpose, expectations, meeting frequency and the format of the collaboration.
4. Implementation: You meet regularly, share experiences and follow up on progress.
5. Evaluation: As the programme progresses, you review how the mentorship is working and make adjustments where necessary. As the programme nears its end, you can decide whether you wish to continue meeting in a new format or bring the mentorship to a close.

Why mentorship?

• As a mentee, you receive support to take the next step in your development.
• As a mentor, you get the chance to inspire and influence – whilst learning new things yourself.

Mentorship is an investment in both your own future and that of the university.

Content: 

• Taught courses
• Self-study courses
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Networks
• Conferences
• Job shadowing
• Mentoring
• Job rotation
• Commissioned education
• Open lectures and seminars

There are many ways in which you can continue to develop your professional skills. Alongside the professional development courses listed in Kompetensportalen, there are a range of other forms of learning. 

You can discuss what form of professional development is right for you with your line manager at your appraisal.

More information about staff appraisals

Taught courses

A common form of professional development at Lund University is taught courses. These usually include classroom sessions with a trainer, but they can also be taught entirely online.

Our courses vary in length. Some are only a couple of hours, whereas others can be taught over a longer period with multiple sessions and components. When online components are combined with classroom sessions, this is known as blended learning. 

Self-study courses

Self-study courses can comprise everything from independent reading to more advanced online activities. The idea is that participants can access the material independently at a time that suits them.

Seminars

Seminars are organised on a daily basis across the University. Departments often hold open seminars with their researchers, but there are also central administration seminars and vice-chancellor’s seminars.

The aim of the seminar as a format is for participants to actively participate in discussion of a topic. A seminar often requires preparatory work by participants (such as reading a text) in order to facilitate discussion.

Workshops

The aim of a workshop is to bring together participants with special expertise to discuss and solve problems or to learn something new together.

Workshops often lead to concrete results: a solution to a problem or new knowledge as a result of practical training during the session. A workshop requires active participation by those attending.

Networks

By interacting with other people working in similar roles, you can gain new ideas and share solutions to challenges in your work. Learning from others and contributing to their learning offers new insights and is an effective way to takes advantage of skills within the organisation.

There are also established networks for many professional groups that meet regularly across department or faculty boundaries.

Lund University is also a member of a number of national and international networks, which for example offer opportunities for university staff to go on a week-long exchange.

Conferences

Many higher education institutions and other organisations arrange conferences that are open to both researchers/lecturers and administrative and technical staff. A range of conferences are held at the faculties at Lund University and at central level.

Job shadowing

Shadowing a colleague can be a good learning experience and can offer new insights into a typical working day for another person in a similar (or completely different) job.

Job shadowing is similar to a study visit and can last for one day or longer. It is a good idea for two people to shadow each other, as in this way both benefit.

Mentoring

Being a mentor is an important part of leadership, and it is often extremely rewarding for both the mentor and pupil. Reflecting on situations in your life with an outsider can help you to see alternative courses of action.

Job rotation

Job rotation involves two people swapping duties with each other for a few months – either in different areas of responsibility or different workplaces.

This is a good way to share knowledge and experience, while gaining greater understanding of someone else’s job. It can contribute to the development of both the organisation and the individual.

Commissioned education

Commissioned education often takes the form of a tailor-made course provided by the University or another organisation, and in certain cases the courses lead to university credits.

More information about commissioned education at the University

Open lectures and seminars

Employees at Lund University have continual access to interesting open lectures and seminars. Keep your eye out for information in newsletters and on the university website. Additionally, invitations are often sent out by email.