KHL Consulting Ltd
Professor Karen Heard-Lauréote
Independent Consultant in the Enhancement of Educational Practices
Consultant Indépendent en Optimisation des Pratiques Éducatives
Enhancement of educational practices
A qualified and experienced Consultant and Interim Leader within higher education providers, associated professional bodies and national accrediting bodies in the Education sector.
Expert in network formation and fostering collaboration, connection and community, developing staff and transforming universities and their programmes through organisational change processes.
Highly successful inclusive leader with over 20 years’ experience in the sector, committed to delivering a high-quality experience and excellent outcomes for students, while meeting commitments to all stakeholders.
About Me
I have worked in Higher Education since completing my PhD in 2005; first within my original subject area of European Politics and Public Policy, and then within the broader realm of education, learning and teaching as Professor of Education and Society in 2018 and then Professor of Learning and Teaching in 2019.Since 2019, I have held senior leadership roles as Director of Learning and Teaching and then Vice Provost Education.
I hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and in 2016 became a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA), in recognition of my sustained record of effective strategic leadership of teaching and learning in higher education, and a Fellow of the Leadership Foundation. In 2018, I became a National Teaching Fellow (NTF) in recognition of my teaching excellence.
For details of my research interests and a list of publications, follow this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gla9yQ3Sx0nKSgcXrFWOaolGH6CKqrd8o_rvLoadIq0/edit?usp=drive_link
KHLConsulting Ltd
Professor Karen Heard-Lauréote
Independent Consultant in the Enhancement of Educational Practices
Consultant Indépendant en Optimisation des Pratiques Éducatives
My Background & Professional Values
From a remote, rural background, marked by social and economic deprivation and personal hardships, my journey has been far from ordinary. The challenges of a working-class upbringing, childhood trauma, and estrangement from family carved early on a path of resilience and determination. Being the first in my family to pursue A-levels and then university was not just an academic choice; it was a leap towards breaking cycles and charting new territories.
Married for 27 years to my husband of Caribbean heritage, our life together and our dual heritage children have deepened my appreciation for diversity, collaboration, connection, and community. These personal experiences have become the bedrock of my professional ethos.
Transitioning into an independent consultant in educational practice enhancement, my focus has been unwavering: to champion inclusion, widen access to higher education for non-traditional students, and ensure that educational practices foster positive outcomes for all. My work is driven by a commitment to social justice, ethical integrity, and a profound sense of what is fair and right. Peer networking has become a tool not just for professional growth but for societal change, embodying my belief that education should be a leveller, a bridge to opportunities, and a beacon of hope.
In every strategy I develop and every project I undertake, the echoes of my journey resonate, guiding my efforts to create an educational landscape where every student, irrespective of their background, can find belonging, succeed, and thrive.
As a result of my background, I am committed to demonstrating my dedication to:
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Upholding the core values of education and actively promoting equal opportunities policies, ensuring an inclusive and fair approach in all my professional interactions.
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Addressing social, economic, and environmental responsibilities. This includes minimising environmental impact in my professional activities and actively contributing to environmental policies, highlighting my commitment to a sustainable and responsible future.
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Adhering to health and safety regulations to ensure a secure and healthy working environment for staff, students, and visitors, underscoring the importance of creating and maintaining safe, welcoming learning spaces.
In addition to these commitments, I also value:
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Continuous learning and adaptability, acknowledging the ever-evolving nature of the education sector. I am dedicated to staying informed on the latest research and teaching practices to provide relevant and up-to-date contributions.
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Collaboration and knowledge sharing, working closely with peers, experts, and institutions to enrich and broaden my approach and understanding of contemporary educational challenges.
These principles guide my work as an Independent Consultant, enabling me to offer consultancy services of the highest quality, grounded in ethics, expertise, and a deep commitment to educational enhancement.
I offer a specialised consultancy focused on enhancing educational practices. Here’s why partnering with me could be the strategic advantage your institution needs:
Direct Access to Specialised Expertise: In my HE career, I've navigated the unique challenges and opportunities that institutions face. Drawing on this extensive experience, I bring you insights into cutting-edge pedagogical trends and technologies, crafting solutions tailored to your specific needs. My background allows me to quickly understand your challenges and propose strategies that are both innovative and practical, drawing from a wide spectrum of institutional experiences.
Cost-Effective Solutions for Your Projects: I understand the financial constraints and demands within HE. Opting for my consultancy services provides you with the flexibility to address specific, goal-oriented projects without the long-term financial commitments tied to permanent staffing. This means your investment is directly linked to delivering outcomes that matter, ensuring efficient use of resources and maximising impact where it counts.
Objective Insights for Meaningful Change: Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects I bring to your institution is an objective viewpoint, free from internal predispositions. This external perspective allows me to offer fresh, unbiased insights and challenge the status quo, driving innovation and facilitating change that might otherwise be met with resistance. My recommendations are based on a broad understanding of the sector, helping to navigate through cultural inertia and bring about effective, transformative results.
Choosing to work with me means entrusting your projects to someone who combines a deep passion for education with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.