Over the coming weeks, third-level teachers at UCD will get to meet Dr Miriam Kennedy, the university's new full-time teaching development officer. She will be providing training to support about 800 academic staff members, especially new members.

Based at UCD's teaching development unit at Earlsfort Terrace, she will be organising workshops to help train academic staff who get no formal training in teaching. Her activities to date include a two-day course on pedagogical methods for new staff.

Kennedy hopes to mobilise people in other universities into collaborative enterprises, where colleges would be able to share resources and run colloquia together. "I have approached other colleges and there's a very good feeling about it," she says. Phone UCD for information - (01) 706 7212.