Professional development,teaching, and lifelong learning: the implications for higher education

This article will address three issues relating to professional development and lifelong learning. The context of the discussion is teaching, research and learning with respect to the researcher teacher within higher education in the UK. A definition of professional development is given, and used to explain how it may contribute to the process of teaching, research and learning. Considering teaching as part of scholarship helps the discussion. Underpinning the discussion is the premise that professional development is essential to the role of the researcher teacher, and has significant implications for lifelong learning for those involved in higher education.