Dr Doug Specht, Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster, has been awarded the Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, making him the first person to simultaneously hold the Chartered Teacher Status (CTEACH), Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) and now the PFHEA, alongside his existing qualifications of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE).
The PFHEA is a prestigious professional recognition for highly experienced individuals in higher education, signifying sustained strategic leadership and impact on teaching and learning at institutional, national or international levels.
Dr Specht’s QTS and PGCE established his foundation as a practising classroom teacher and his MAHE demonstrates his commitment to understanding and advancing the field of education itself, grounding his practice in evidence and research.
The ATS, conferred by the Society for Education and Training, recognises him as an advanced practitioner who has demonstrated mastery in educational excellence, mentoring and the ability to influence institutional change. The CTEACH, administered by the Chartered College of Teaching, further affirms his standing as an accomplished educator whose practice is informed by educational research and professional rigour.
Dr Specht's PFHEA, the highest tier of Advance HE recognition which he received on 10 December, signifies sustained strategic leadership in advancing teaching and learning across institutional and international settings. This places him among many educational leaders whose influence extends beyond their institutions to shape policy and practice nationally and globally.
Alongside his teaching and leadership achievements, Dr Specht is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer. His academic work spans geopolitics, cartography, human rights and educational innovation and he serves as Chair of the Environmental Network for Central America and Chair of the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) working group on AI in University Management, contributing to international policy discussions on sustainability, ethics and digital transformation in HE.
Beyond Westminster's walls, Dr Specht has established himself as a prominent voice in educational discourse. He regularly contributes to high-profile publications including WonkHE, Times Higher Education and The Conversation, where he writes on critical issues including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and education, ethics in digital systems, environmental justice and human rights in learning contexts. He serves on multiple editorial boards and participates in national and international debates about the future of education and the role of universities in addressing pressing global challenges.
Dr Specht said: “I am deeply honoured to be awarded the Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. This recognition affirms the importance of keeping teaching, inclusion and educational justice at the centre of strategic decision-making and strengthens my commitment to using any platform I have to support more humane, critical and hopeful futures for learners within and beyond the University.”
The achievement directly reflects the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 4: Quality Education. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn about Media and Communication courses at the University of Westminster.
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