Role
Rachel is Head of the Learning and Teaching Support Unit (LTSU) in the School of Arts and Humanities. Rachel leads a team of digital learning specialists who give advice and support for staff, and promote effective practice for learning and teaching with technology.
Career overview
Rachel has worked in digital learning in Higher Education for over fifteen years and is a Senior Fellow (Advance HE).
Publications
Pearce, R., Bancroft, R., Challen, R. (2025). Using Technology to Support Online Presence and Student Engagement. In Roushan, G., Polkinghorne, M., Patel, U (Eds.). Teaching and Learning with Innovative Technologies in Higher Education: Real-World Case Studies. Routledge.
Bancroft, R., Witham, B., Challen, R., Neylon. A. (2025). What digital confidence practice and research has taught us about supporting digital change. In Syska, A., Buckley, B., Sedghi, G. Grayson, N. (Eds.) Transformative Practice in Higher Education: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning. Routledge.
Bancroft, R., Pearce, R., Challen, R. (2024) Searching for a shared understanding of digital confidence in a tertiary context: a scoping review. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (30). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi30.1061
Bancroft, R., Pearce, R. (2023) Every teacher can be an innovator, so let’s talk about digital confidence. Jisc Blog. https://www.jisc.ac.uk/blog/every-teacher-can-be-an-innovator-so-lets-talk-about-digital-confidence
Bancroft, R., Pearce, R., Challen, R., Jeckells, D., Kenney, J. (2021) Locating opportunities for building digital confidence in staff. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (22). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi22.775
Conferences and Presentations
Bancroft, R., Challen, R. (2024, September). Digital assessment: practical prompts for student success. Presented at Course Leaders Conference, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
Bancroft, R., Pickering-Wood, R. (2024, June). Fostering digital confidence. Presented at Nottingham Trent University Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, Nottingham, UK.
Bancroft, R., Pearce, R. (2023, June). Digital Confidence. Presented at Jisc Joint BDC/DEI community of practice – digital transformation: perspectives on implementing change, City University, London, UK.
Pearce, R., Bancroft, R., Challen, R. (2023, March). Digital confidence: often mentioned, rarely explored. Presented at Research in Distance Education (RIDE) Conference, University of London, London, UK.
Bancroft, R., Pearce, R. (2023, March). Digital confidence: transforming people and practice. Presented at Jisc DigiFest, Birmingham, UK.
Taylor F., Bancroft, R. [chair]. (2023, February). Stories of digital success: what will the future hold? [Symposium]. TILT Flexible and Online Learning Symposium (NTU), Nottingham, UK.
Challen, R., Bancroft, R., Pearce, R. (2023, February). Time to talk: Chat GPT. Presented at Stories of digital success: what will the future hold? TILT Flexible and Online Learning Symposium 2023. Nottingham Trent University. 27th February 2023.
Taylor F., Bancroft, R. [chair]. (2022, May). Stories of Digital Success: What have we retained? [Symposium]. TILT Flexible and Online Learning Symposium (NTU), Nottingham, UK.
Challen. R., Bancroft. R., (2021, September). 'Transfer to transform' - learning and teaching beyond COVID-19. Lessons learned: confidence, effective practice, and sharing. Presented at TILT Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2021. Nottingham Trent University, Virtual conference.
Bancroft, R., Pearce, R. (2021, April). Opportunities for building digital confidence. Presented at East Midlands Learning Technologists Group - Association for Learning and Teaching. Virtual event.
Bancroft, R., Pierce, P. (2018, November). Facilitating engagement and collaboration with digital tools. Presented at East Midlands Learning Technologists Group - Association for Learning and Teaching. University of Derby, Derby, UK.
Challen R., Bancroft, B. (2018, June) ‘Go Places’: An inclusive curriculum approach to personal and professional development. Presented at TILT Festival of Learning. Nottingham, UK.
Butt-Bethlendy, K., Bancroft, R. [chair]. (2018, May). Design Thinking. TILT Design Thinking Group (NTU), Nottingham, UK.
Bancroft, R. (2012, April). Driving the student experience with the calendar in NOW. Nottingham Trent UniversityAnnual eLearning Showcase. Nottingham, UK.