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Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Awards 2013

Congratulations to colleagues who have been awarded Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Awards this year.  The scheme recognises and rewards colleagues (academics, learning support staff, teaching 'teams' and postgraduates/postdocs who teach) who demonstrate excellence in teaching and/or learning support at York.

The panel, chaired by John Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Information, was looking for three key qualities:

  • Evidence of sustained excellence across a range of teaching/support activities and over a reasonable period of time;
  • A creative approach to teaching and/or learning support, focused on student learning needs;
  • Evidence that nominees go above and beyond the standard remit of their teaching or learning support role, making an impact on colleagues as well as students.

16 awards were made from a field of 23 applications, and will be presented at this summer's graduation ceremonies.

Dr Amber Carpenter, Lecturer, Philosophy: for her ‘achievements in introducing innovative and creative styles of teaching and learning to her department that have been welcomed and praised by students.  The transformative effect this is having on her colleagues was also recognised.  Amber has a strong commitment to her students whose comments reflect her passion for her subject.’ 

Professor David Howard, Head of Department, Electronics: for ‘the very strong support and evidence of his sustained excellence and enthusiasm in his teaching received from the Department and his students; for the innovative assessment tasks he has introduced and the specific development of his BSc module; and for the wide-ranging work he undertakes outside the University.’

Dr Meesha Warmington, Teaching Fellow, Psychology: for ‘the considerable work she has done with international students and the significant impact she has made in her Department; for her introduction of table marking which has proved highly successful with colleagues, PGWT and with students; and the important role she has taken on as PGWT Co-ordinator.’

Dr Mike Thom, Teaching Fellow, Biology: for his ‘consistently high quality of teaching which is acknowledged by his students and his Head of Department who cites him as ‘an excellent role model as a Teaching Fellow’; for his use of quizzes and VLE self-assessments, the support he offers students and his ability to ensure complex topics are brought to life for students; and for the extra role he has taken on resolving academic misconduct and appeals.’

Dr James Moir, Senior Lecturer, Biology: for ‘the consistently high feedback for all his teaching that is well received by students and his creative approach to curriculum design which has had a positive impact on student demand and recruitment; for the teaching leadership roles he has taken on and the impact these have on the Department and his colleagues.’

Professor Peter Lamarque, Philosophy: for ‘his passion for teaching which is evident from his statement; for his long-term commitment to teaching and learning demonstrated in his Department’s nomination and in feedback from his colleagues and students; for his innovative approach to seminar structure and the thoughtful learning support provided for students which is greatly appreciated; and for his generosity of time in helping students as well as his role in supporting teaching practice in the Department.’ 

Dr Steve Ashby, Lecturer, Archaeology: for ‘the strong level of support his application received from his Department; for the way in which he has converted courses to activity-based formats and introduced aspects of employability; for his endeavours to establish communication within the Department and to share good practice between PGWT and colleagues; and for the work he has undertaken outside the University which enables students to access artefacts, as well as disseminating his work to a wide audience.’ 

Dr Malin Holst, Research Associate, Archaeology: for ‘the excellent work she undertakes, particularly the student support and exposure to the commercial world of archaeology she offers students; for her strongly research-led teaching which focuses on team work and promotes archaeology as a profession as well as an academic subject; she was also commended for the positive feedback she receives from students for teaching and for the support she provides.’ 

Dr Martin Cockett, Senior Lecturer, Chemistry: for ‘the continuing positive feedback he receives from students which reflects his dedication to teaching; for the reflective approach he has adopted which has enabled him to improve his feedback year-on-year; for the impact of his text books on his teaching as well as the potential impact outside the University; and for the impact he has in the Department as a leader and inspiration to his colleagues and students. 

Elaine Tham, PGWT, Psychology: for the impressive feedback she receives from students for her teaching and support of them; for her endeavours to break down barriers between home and international students, as well as her promotion of interactive learning for project students; and for the commendable thought and planning that she puts into her training sessions.’

Learning Enhancement Team (ASO) – Cecilia Lowe (Team Leader), Janet Barton, David Clarke, Ant Edwards, Adrian Lee, Chris Mellor, Madeleine Morgan, Tamlyn Ryan, Alice Wakely: for ‘the high praise from Departments for the courses the team runs, the tutorials that have been developed as well as other teaching and learning materials; the team is commended for its proactive response to feedback from staff and students, and for working creatively with Departments to support them; and for the impact of the team’s work at the University and beyond.’

Dr Louise Jones, Lecturer, Biology: ‘for the excellent standard of her teaching in all modules which is acknowledged by students in their feedback; and for her work in the redesign of modules and the introduction of interactive lectures and problem solving workshops which have been well received by students. ‘

Emily Hellewell, PGWT, Archaeology: for ‘the feedback she receives from students for her teaching, and the high standard of her work on the PFA course; for the impressive feedback she receives for seminars; and for actively sharing her ideas on teaching with colleagues.’

Professor Mike Bentley, Deputy Head of Department, Physics:  for ‘the excellent feedback he receives for teaching which led to the student nomination for this award; for his enthusiasm for his subject which feeds through to his students and his ability to relate complex topics using a range of formal and informal teaching methods;  and for his strong influence in the Department through key administrative roles, as well as through the supply of teaching resources.’     

Mathew Gilbert, PGWT, Electronics: for ‘the quality of the feedback he receives from staff and students; for adopting a self-reflective approach which has enabled him to adapt his teaching to the needs of different groups; and for creating the C assignment software which has had a positive impact for staff and students in the provision of quicker and clearer feedback.’ 

Daniel Howdon, PGWT, Economics and Related Studies: for ‘his reflective teaching that is praised by staff, fellow PGTs and students; for the sensitive approach he has to seminars that ensure they appeal to a wide range of students; for the preparation he undertakes for tutorials and his willingness to share materials and ideas with other Teaching Fellows.’