Alan Cliff is Professor Emeritus of Higher Education Studies in the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED) at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He served as Interim Dean of the faculty from September 2018 to March 2022. Alan obtained his BA, BEd (with distinction) and MEd (with distinction) from UCT and his PhD from the University of Auckland. His current research interests are in the use of theories and principles of Dynamic Assessment to facilitate student learning; and in the processes of staff development as ‘literacies practices’ and induction into professional learning communities.