Lowri Harris

Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for the Professional Practice Framework

l.m.harris@uwtsd.ac.uk

Background

Lowri is a Senior Lecturer, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and Programme Director for the Professional Practice Framework. With more than 10 years’ experience as a project manager and extensive experience in education across public and private sectors, she combines practical expertise with academic leadership.

Her focus areas include Recognition and Accreditation of Learning, supervising Work-based Learning Projects, and supporting learners on the Independent Study module. She provides leadership in quality assurance and has training in Coaching and Action Learning Sets, which she uses to support students and enhance learning outcomes.

She holds a BA Joint Honours in French and Spanish, an MSc in Multimedia (eLearning), and a Professional Diploma in Marketing (CIM). Passionate about work-based learning, she is committed to helping learners achieve their potential through high-quality, reflective educational experiences.

Specialist Subjects

Recognition and Accreditation of Learning Supervising Work-based Learning Projects
Independent Study module support and delivery
Quality assurance in work-based learning programmes
Coaching and Action Learning Sets for student development
Learning Sets for student development

Professional and/or Research Experience

Lowri’s research focuses on enhancing professional learning through learner empowerment and the strategic use of digital learning environments. She has examined Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) in engaging professional and distance learners, showing how technology can add value and increase participation (Davies & Harris, 2015; Davies, Harris, 2016).

A key theme is the learner’s voice, exploring how it can be amplified or constrained in professional and organisational contexts. Lowri has presented widely on this, including the impact of work-based learner perspectives on organisational development (Wilson et al., 2015; Harris & Loxdale, 2023).

Her work also highlights valuing experiential learning and supporting the learner journey, advocating approaches that empower individuals while fostering meaningful engagement (Reynolds, Harris & Wilson, 2014). Across her research, she combines theory with practical application to advance learner-centred practice and effective digital learning.

Qualifications

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
MSc in Multimedia (eLearning) – University of Glamorgan
Professional Diploma in Marketing (CIM) – Chartered Institute of Marketing
BA Joint Honours in French and Spanish – University of Wales, Swansea

Languages Spoken

Welsh, English, and a level of French and Spanish

Professional Membership or Roles

Member of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing

Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning and Accreditation Board

Member of Welsh Provision Sub-Committee for the Institute of Management and Health

External Recognition or Rewards

UALL - Quiet Achiever Award Joint Runner-Up 2025

Professional Publications

Harris, L.M. Loxdale, S. (2023) Unleashing the Power of the Learner’s Voice: Empowering Professional Development and Organisational Impact. Presentation at the NEXUS Conference 30th June 2023.
Davies, C. Harris, L.M. (2016) Engaging professional learners using the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): a case study from social care. Paper and presentation at the NEXUS Conference 24th March 2016.
Davies, C. Harris, L.M. (2015) The role of the VLE for distances learners: adding value and increasing engagement. FACE Conference 2nd July 2015.
Wilson, E., Reynolds, E., Washington, R., Fish, H., Davies, C. Harris, L.M. (2015) Claiming a Space for the Work-based Learner Voice: Enabling or silencing the learner voice. FACE Conference 2nd July 2015.
Reynolds, E C, Harris, L M and Wilson, E A, (2014) ‘Valuing Experiential Learning: Empowering the Learner Journey’ HEA Conference Future Directions, Aberystwyth University, 2 April 2014.