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York archaeologist shortlisted for THE teaching award

Posted on 19 September 2016

Dr Sara Perry, from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education (THE) Innovative Teacher of the Year award.

Dr Sara Perry

Dr Perry is recognised for integrating digital technologies into her teaching to encourage creativity in her students and to generate real-world impact. 

She uses digital tools, such as Twitter, Google Groups, Pinterest and YouTube, to provide students with worksheets, instructions for safe and ethical practice, and basic assignment briefs, to allow them to explore the social and political potential of these media. 

Dr Perry has led her students in developing mobile apps, immersive exhibitions in York’s 3Sixty exhibition space, and online forums, for public audiences.  She also initiated a training programme in Egypt where she and her students taught cultural heritage management to more than 80 Arabic-speaking professionals through the development of Memphis, Egypt, as a tourist destination. 

Next generation

Professor John Schofield, Head of the Department of Archaeology, said: “This nomination recognises Dr Perry’s dedication to her students and her engaging teaching style. She is an excellent ambassador for the integration of new media in heritage management and the benefits of utilising digital technologies in teaching the next generation of archaeologists.” 

In 2014/15, as part of Dr Perry’s field school at the archaeological site of Çatalhöyük in Turkey, her international team of York and Ege Üniversitesi students curated a major bi-lingual exhibition at Istanbul Technical University, redesigned the tourist experience at Çatalhöyük’s on-site replica house, and co-edited an issue of the popular Turkish magazine Aktüel Arkeoloji. 

Most influencial

Dr Perry was named one of the UK’s 50 Most Influential Higher Education Professionals Using Social Media, judged by Times Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and JISC and earlier this year she was awarded the University’s Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Award. 

The THE Awards 2016 will take place in London on the 24^th November. For a complete list of nominations please visit: http://www.the-awards.co.uk/the2016/shortlist.

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