Teaching excellence celebrated at the University

Prizes for excellence in teaching were presented at the University on Thursday 4 October.

The annual University Teaching Prizes ceremony, attended by around 70 guests, was organised by the University’s Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (UELT). UELT Director Dr Louise Naylor said: ‘These prizes reward staff for the wonderful work they do – engaging and challenging students and leading innovations in teaching practice.’

Prize-winners were:

Sciences Faculty Prize: Awarded to Dr Bugewa Apampa, School of Pharmacy, for ‘being an exemplar of commitment and excellent teaching’.

Humanities Faculty Prize: Three awards presented to Dr John Partridge and Susanne Krauss (School of European Culture and Languages) for their ‘outstanding contribution to interactive grammar teaching online’; Dr Andy Kesson (School of English) for ‘making Shakespeare studies really enjoyable’; and Dr Mattias Frey (Film Studies, School of Arts) for his ‘fascinating use’ of film reviews by students.

Social Sciences Faculty Prize: Awarded to Dr Helen Carr (Kent Law School) for ‘developing and enhancing teaching’. Runners-up were Dr Lindsay Cameron and Dr Heather Ferguson (School of Psychology) for ‘engaging with staff and students’ through their Café Psychology and book group; Dr Jennifer Fleetwood and six colleagues in Criminology (SSPSSR) for their ‘innovative research’ and ‘striking success in collaborating as a course team'.

Barbara Morris Prize for Learning Support: Presented to Dr Ben Thomas (History and Philosophy of Art, School of Arts and Curator, Studio 3 Gallery) for his leadership of the Gallery, bringing ‘ the best possible art work to Canterbury campus and creating a launch pad for volunteers who want to work in the art world’.

The winners, who each received a certificate and cash award were congratulated by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor David Nightingale, Dr Louise Naylor and Faculty Deans, as well as colleagues, family and friends in attendance.

Dame Julia said: ‘Today is a great opportunity to celebrate the success of individual academic members of staff, as well as reflect on our outstanding result in the National Student Survey.’

Picture shows (from left): Dr Bugewa Apampa, Dr Andy Kesson, Dr John Partridge, Dr Helen Carr, Susanne Krauss, Dr Ben Thomas, Dr Jennifer Fleetwood, Dr Jonathan Ilan, Dr Mattias Frey, Dr Heather Ferguson, Dr Phil Carney, Dr Lindsey Cameron, Dr Caroline Chatwin, Professor Roger Matthews, Professor Keith Hayward, Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow.

Contact: communications@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 12:40pm 9 October 2012