ATHENA will kickstart your Advance HE Fellowship application
Sometimes the best innovations come from recognising patterns. When UNE's AI-powered Academic Promotions Assistant proved successful, it didn't take long for staff to spot a similar staff pain point that could use AI assistance.
"The 'aha' moment actually came from Dr Rene Cornish," explains Michelle Edgely, co-creator of the new ATHENA AI assistant. "After seeing how well the promotions assistant was received, Rene pointed out that the AHEA Fellowship application process is just as daunting and time-consuming as academic promotions – it's quite a deterrent. That got us thinking: why not try to make the AHEA process easier for colleagues, too?"
This insight led Dr Rene Cornish, Dr Imelda Deinla, and Michelle Edgely to create ATHENA, an AI-powered assistant designed to guide staff through the application process for Advance HE (AHE) Fellowships.
The project demonstrates how successful AI implementations can be adapted to tackle similar challenges across the university, creating a ripple effect of staff-led innovation.
Navigating academic recognition
Advance HE Fellowships offer internationally recognised professional standards for those involved in teaching and supporting learning. However, the application process can be a significant hurdle.
"The AHEA process can feel pretty overwhelming—there's a lot of paperwork, and the benefits aren't always obvious to everyone," Michelle explains. "We know some colleagues are put off from applying altogether. We wanted ATHENA to make the process less intimidating and help people get started, rather than giving up before they begin."
Building with accessible tools
Crucially, the project highlights that creating such powerful tools is no longer the exclusive domain of developers. The team built ATHENA using UNE's internal AI platform, led through the process by UNE-created AI design assistant the Madgwick Wizard. "It was amazingly easy," Michelle says of using the Wizard. "It let us build something tailored to the AHEA criteria and the Professional Standards Framework."
Your Personal Fellowship Guide
With all 20 relevant AHEA documents uploaded its knowledge, ATHENA acts as a personalised mentor, available 24/7 to help staff craft their applications. "It’s your personal guide to streamlining the fellowship application process," Michelle says. "It helps you unpack the criteria, reflect on your teaching practice, and craft compelling evidence - all tailored to your own context."
The goal is to provide a robust starting point. Because the assistant is customisable, it adapts to an individual's CV and evidence, producing a personalised and well-developed baseline draft for their application.