Current Prizewinners
Teaching Award winners 2012
Student-nominated Awards
Dr Philip Hanna, School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
This student-nominated Teaching Award is presented to Dr Philip Hanna, whose project-based approach to computer game-building very effectively develops students’ employability skills and promotes independent learning. His students particularly commended him for his excellent teaching and personal dedication to them noting, “Phil would be seen in the labs frequently, sitting alongside students, advising them on their game, showing them innovative ways to code and problem solve and motivating students when they feel all hope is lost, all in his own personal time.”
Dr John McAllister, School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
This student-nominated Teaching Award is presented to Dr John McAllister, whose dynamic curriculum promotes active, interactive and collaborative learning. His research-informed teaching approach is highly motivating and he uses his awareness of different learning styles to fully engage all of his students. His students noted that, “Dr John McAllister is an inspirational lecturer who continually motivates and encourages students to do their very best in their degree.”
Dr Paul Murphy, School of Creative Arts
This student-nominated Teaching Award is presented to Dr Paul Murphy who has developed a Drama curriculum that is research-led, promotes independent study and provides his students with a rich learning experience. He places high expectations on his students and provides them with the means to achieve those expectations. His students noted, “Paul Murphy gives 110% to us all as scholars and encourages us to do the very best we can with consistent and coherent feedback on a weekly basis. There is never a class unprepared for, nor is there ever a student unprepared to bring something to his class”
Dr Danielle Soban, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
This student-nominated Teaching Award is presented to Dr Danielle Soban who has redesigned the Aircraft Design pathway and developed experience-based learning for her students. Her approach fosters independent learners and develops professional attitudes and employability skills. Her students particularly noted that, “Dr Soban endeavours to make difficult concepts more easily grasped, takes time to engage directly with students and solve difficulties, whilst ensuring all module content is as interesting and applicable as possible”.
Ms Samantha Taylor, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
This student-nominated Teaching Award is presented to Samantha Taylor, an enthusiastic and thoughtful teacher of Anatomy whose students appreciate her ability to deliver difficult subject material in an effective and engaging way. Her use of extensive learning resources enables her students to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the material needed for their future clinical practice. Her students noted that, “Ms Taylor has excellently conveyed her knowledge, understanding and passion for Anatomy in every class she’s taught.”
Sustained Excellence category
Professor Mark Burnett, School of English
This Teaching Award is presented to Professor Mark Burnett, a reflective, student-centred teacher who is providing an active and research-led learning environment to engage his students and nurture transferable skills. He is responsive to student feedback and uses electronic resources to bring historical texts to life and deliver a module that an external examiner described as ‘a model in the field of Renaissance studies.’
Dr Martin Dowling, School of Creative Arts
This Teaching Award is presented to Dr Martin Dowling who has used his interdisciplinary skills in music, history and sociology to develop a unique programme in Irish traditional music. He is an engaging and enthusiastic teacher whose range of teaching methods inspires active learning and appeals to a diverse student body. His use of accessible digital media engages the students as researchers and creators, and his use of educational podcasts provides innovative assessment opportunities.
Dr Simon Mawhinney, School of Creative Arts
This Teaching Award is presented to Dr Simon Mawhinney for his composition teaching in the School of Creative Arts. He uses multiple teaching approaches to inspire his students and develop the high-level of composition skills required for professional practice. His live piano performances are engaging in the classroom and the performance of his students’ material to outside audiences provides them with a real appreciation of life as a composer.
Rising Stars
Mr Declan Keeney, School of Creative Arts
This Teaching Award in the Rising Stars category is presented to Declan Keeney, a teacher of Film Studies. His approach is based on a well-articulated teaching philosophy that produces an appropriate balance of academic content and important industry skills. He brings his professional broadcasting experience into the classroom and uses a practice-based teaching approach to blend problem-based learning, technical instruction and traditional lectures.
Dr John Bothwell, School of Biological Sciences
This Teaching Award in the Rising Stars category is made to Dr John Bothwell, an enthusiastic and student-centred teacher whose methods are very effective in developing active learners. His teaching philosophy is underpinned by his belief in the transformative power of a university education, including the importance of exposing students to current research and developing their confidence in their own judgements. His approach has led to significant improvements in student performance and impressive student evaluations.
Team Category
Mr Joe Duffy, Dr Berni Kelly, Dr Chaitali Das, Dr Gavin Davidson, Dr David Hayes, School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
This Teaching Award is presented to a team from Social Work for their innovative approach to involving service users in teaching and assessing Social Work students. By enabling students to visit service users and carers in their own community settings and involving the service users and carers in role play assessments, the team provides students with realistic insights into their chosen profession and prepares them more effectively for placement. This substantial innovation is making an impact on the teaching of Social Work both nationally and internationally.
Dr Nicola Carr, Dr Melissa McCullough, Mrs Aine Maxwell and Dr Karen Winter, Schools of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences and the Institute of Professional Legal Studies
This Teaching Award is presented to an inter-professional team from Social Work, Medical Education and the Institute of Professional Legal Studies for their development of a highly effective training initiative which develops students’ skills in court work practice in child welfare and criminal justice proceedings. Their approach equips their students with the knowledge, skills and values to understand their own and each others’ roles in an important and potentially stressful environment. The team uses in-depth case material and simulated court cases to provide their students with a valuable, active and interactive learning experience.
