Amy Sampson awarded Principal Fellowship

Falmouth University’s Head of Digital Learning, Amy Sampson, has been awarded Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) in recognition of her contribution to high quality student learning.  

The Principal Fellowship is awarded to those who demonstrate a sustained record of effective strategic leadership in academic practice and academic development as a key contribution to high quality student learning. It also recognises broader commitment and contribution to education, as well as the positive influence across the higher education (HE) sector.  

With over 19 years of learning and teaching experience, Amy is passionate about creating engaging educational experiences and delivering projects that benefit staff and students, specialising in management of digital projects, technical systems, learning technology, learning design and digital pedagogy. 

Amy leads Falmouth’s award-winning Digital Learning team, who won an ALT Ethical EdTech Award in 2022 for devising a sector-leading framework and toolkit to help make digital events more sustainable. The team provide guidance, support, research and training in the use of technology to enhance learning and teaching; encompassing education, learning design and technology.  

Central to my approach has been a commitment to student and staff experience and I'm honoured to be awarded this Fellowship acknowledging the work I've undertaken

A large part of the team's work involves leading the design and development of Falmouth’s fully online courses, from course approval through to launch. Other areas of work include institutional projects within Digital Experience, virtual learning environments, electronic assessment and feedback, reflective blogging and third-party tools to support teaching.  

Amy's personal achievements in higher education include winning the 2023 UCISA Supporting Excellence in Learning Teaching and Research Award, as well as leading digital learning initiatives, curriculum development, delivering strategic projects and dissemination of learning and teaching practice to wider HE communities.  

Committed to educational practice, Amy guest edits and reviews for three academic learning and teaching journals, assesses on behalf of an educational professional body, regularly delivers talks at events and collaborates with others across the HE sector. 

On being awarded the Principal Fellowship, Amy told us: "I'm incredibly proud to have been recognised at this level – it represents a huge personal achievement. Central to my approach has been a commitment to student and staff experience and I'm honoured to be awarded this Fellowship acknowledging the work I've undertaken. I'd like to thank the supportive community we have at Falmouth for being part of my journey to PFHEA." 

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