Ruth Windscheffel

Dr Ruth Windscheffel serves as Head of Teaching and Learning Enhancement at York St John University, a position she assumed in May 2022. With over two decades of experience in UK Higher Education as a teacher, researcher, and education developer, she brings extensive expertise to her leadership role. Previously, she held significant positions at the Open University, University of Essex, and City, University of London.

Dr Windscheffel's educational background includes a BA (Hons) in Modern History from the University of Oxford (1994), an MA in Modern History from Royal Holloway, University of London (1995), a PhD in History/Victorian Studies from the University of Liverpool (2003), a PG Cert in Higher Education Practice from the University of Essex (2015), and an MA in Education (Inclusive Practice) from The Open University (2019).

Her research spans two primary domains: Modern British History with focus on nineteenth and twentieth-century cultures of literacy, reading, libraries, education and politics; and Higher Education pedagogy and practice. She has particular expertise in personal academic tutoring, assessment and feedback practices, hidden curricula in higher education institutions, inclusive and compassionate pedagogies, academic identity formation, and women's experiences in UK higher education. Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with both historical research and contemporary educational practice.

Dr Windscheffel's publications reveal a clear trajectory from historical scholarship toward educational development, with recent work increasingly focused on practical applications in higher education settings. Her research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implementation, particularly in the areas of inclusive education and student support systems.

• Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (elected 2014)
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Alumna of Advance HE's Aurora leadership programme for women
• Staff Wellbeing Champion
• Trained Mental Health First Aider

As an experienced doctoral supervisor, Dr Windscheffel currently supervises candidates on Stage Two of York St John's Doctor of Education professional doctorate programme. She also serves as External Examiner for the MA Academic Practice at the University of Liverpool (2021-present) and participates in numerous professional activities including Advance HE's Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence assessment panel and the Cathedral Universities Learning and Teaching Network which she co-founded in 2022.