Academic Awards 2011 - Celebrating Education
What are the Academic Awards?
Last night (Thursday 12th May) was the Academic Awards which recognises that good teaching has an enormous positive impact on the learning experience and that this should be celebrated.
Despite various demands on the time of academics, support staff and student representatives, many go out of their way to provide excellent teaching and support to students and this should be rewarded.
Professor Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor, recently blogged about the Students' Union success with the awards which you can read here.
The Results
The awards ceremony were a huge success and here are the results:
Non-academic Staff Member of the Year
Andrew Fairburn / Civil & Structural Engineering
He is a fountain of knowledge and always willing to improve his own understanding by listening to students and working alongside them.”
Staff Student Committee Coordinator of the Year
Linda Gray / Automatic Control & Systems Engineering
“I have had a very enjoyable experience as a course rep in the past years, which I believe is mainly due to Linda’s excellent coordination between staff and students.”
Good work towards Widening Participation
Penny Simons / French
“Through her work with the Route into Languages scheme, Penny encourages many schoolchildren from various backgrounds to study languages.”
Good Work towards Employability
Deborah Sporton / Geography
“Deborah’s hard work and passion for the field has mobilised a year group of academically successful and employable development students.”
Inclusive Learning and Teaching
David Forrest / English
“In the sessions a variety of teaching methods are employed- he lectures, offers one-to-one help, uses technology and devises plans for group work/ team building- we are NEVER bored!”
Innovation in Teaching
Dan Hammett / Geography
“As well as constantly bringing examples forward using you tube clips and satire, his enthusiasm and obvious love for what he was teaching me was incredible and incredibly contagious.”
Best Practice in Feedback
Roel Vismans / Germanic Studies
“He goes above and beyond every other teacher I have ever had in trying to help students learn from their mistakes whilst being very supportive and thoughtful.”
Teacher of the Year
Jonathan Foster / Journalism Studies
“At the risk of sounding like a massive cliché, he is one of those teachers I will never forget. He taught me everything I know about Journalism, helped me land a job before I had even graduated, and three years since graduating still helps me with my career.”
Personal Tutor of the Year (Arts & Humanities)
Jenny Saul / Philosophy
“It was so refreshing and touching that a lecturer had taken the time to actually let me talk to them at length.”
Personal Tutor of the Year (Engineering)
Elena Rodriguez-Falcon / Mechanical Engineering
“She encouraged me to participate, in extracurricular activities and also in Sheffield graduate award programme. Now I can happily say that I have met all the criteria of the Sheffield graduate award and expecting it during graduation.”
Personal Tutor of the Year (Medicine, Dentistry & Health)
Lynne Bingle / Academic Unit of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
“If it was not because of her friendly attitude and her support I would have left the course last summer.”
Personal Tutor of the Year (Science)
Rosie Staniforth / Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
“She is always available for personal one to one sessions and was incredibly supportive of any decisions I have made, both academic and personal.”
Personal Tutor of the Year (Social Sciences)
Alasdair Rae / Town & Regional Planning
“Alasdair is the perfect tutor - he is extremely approachable and he is happy to help in all situations, come rain or shine.”
Postgraduate Student Who Teaches
Gary Wood / English
“Gary is a very good public speaker and delivers his lectures seamlessly. He is enthusiastic about teaching and linguistics and deserves to be acknowledged for the great work he does.”
Campaign of the year
Engineers Without Borders
“The successful EWB Showcase bolstered the society’s profile, and has also encouraged involvement and support from the University’s academic and administrative staff.”
Students' Union Councillor of the Year
Chloe Ashley / Philosophy
“I believe that Chloe strikes a great balance between being feisty, dynamic and driven when it comes to presenting ideas to the Students' Union and sympathetic, attentive and focused when listening to and responding to the needs, suggestions and requests of those she represents in the department.”
Course Rep of the Year
Joe Vickers / Town and Regional Planning
“He has not been afraid to stand up and remind the year of who he is and why they should be going to talk to him, not an easy thing to do in front of a large crowd of your peers, especially as a fresher.”
