Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) has a strong tradition of innovative management education. Originating in the Management Science Department and anchored in the work of globally recognised scholars such as Professor Peter Checkland, this strong belief in high-quality, innovative management education widely influenced the development of learning across the School. Within LUMS we have constantly moved forward through the passion and expertise of outstanding scholars such as Professor Mark Easterby-Smith, who pioneered management learning in LUMS; Professor John Burgoyne, who dedicated his research to theories of learning and teaching; and Professor Vivien Hodgson, who made a significant contribution through building knowledge and understanding in the field of networked learning. Building on this track record, we now have many prospective scholars and rising stars, in the area of learning and management education, who continue to work to accelerate our excellence and make ‘the Lancaster approach’ a tangible asset that will contribute to global talent recruitment and retention. To support this work, there is a need to further our management education infrastructure and to establish supportive mechanisms for those colleagues who have expertise to contribute to the advancement of scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL), which we distinguish from academic research enquiry. Establishing SIME In 2022, an informal network was established to raise awareness of SOTL and identify colleagues’ needs and aspirations. The network has recorded a significant impact in terms of an increased aspiration to progress Advance HE Fellowship status, advance scholarship to the public domain, and develop collaborative crossdisciplinary teams to address areas of scholarship such as experiential learning, reflective practice, digital education, and decolonisation of management education. This informal network has now developed into the Centre for Scholarship and Innovation in Management Education (SIME). Autumn 2023 saw the official opening of the Centre, attended by more than 40 colleagues from different departments, roles and responsibilities. The Centre has been supported by our Associate Deans for Research and Education, Professor Maria Piacentini and Professor Pete Thomas, both of whom acknowledge strong links between scholarly pedagogical inquiry and the educational excellence essential for great student and staff experience. It has been our honour to gain endorsement from Simon Allan, the Head of Curriculum and Education Development Academy, whose support and guidance have been essential for the Centre to come into being. The Centre’s inauguration was sealed by Jo Telfer, our Leader in Residence, who shared a very clear industry message: “everybody has to become a life-long learner, there is no other option.” Moving forward, the Centre is providing many new opportunities as well as responsibilities. We aspire to influence the transformation of Higher Education and contribute to global educational excellence through internal and external lobbying impacting on education policies. This inaugural edition of our online journal is a first testament to our scholarship excellence and commitment to curriculum transformation. We believe we have the expertise and talent to make a difference. Radka Newton and Marian Iszatt-White Co-Editors 5 Scholarship Matters Radka Newton Marian Iszatt-White The Centre for Scholarship and Innovation in Management Education.
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