Managing across borders: Empowering and supporting staff to lead global teaching teams

Transnational education (TNE), sometimes referred to as cross-border education, has increased substantially over the last decade, particularly in relation to collaborative partnerships between universities but also in the development of international branch campuses. The expansion of TNE in the UK is changing the role of academic staff in many institutions. This paper gives an overview of the impacts this has had on a UK institution and its staff, and highlights the challenges and opportunities facing staff managing the delivery of a UK designed curriculum in a TNE context. The challenge for this and similar institutions is to develop and support academics working in remote and diverse communities of practice. The paper explores the systematic and strategic operational issues that need to be addressed to improve efficiency and effectiveness in managing international delivery. It looks at what skills staff need to develop to lead effective cross global teaching teams and begins to consider how to develop remote international communities of practice. © Common Ground, Heather Clay, Catherine Minett-Smith