National Teaching Fellowship Scheme 2011 - awards announced

• Date: 28-07-2011

The Higher Education Academy (HEA) has today, 28 July 2011, announced that 55 lecturers and learning support staff have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships, the most prestigious awards for excellence in higher education teaching and support for learning.

The award winners were chosen from over 200 nominations submitted by higher education institutions across England, Northern Ireland and, for the first time, Wales. Each will receive an award of £10,000 which may be used for Fellows’ professional development in teaching and learning or aspects of pedagogy.

In Wales’ first admissions to the scheme, six staff have been successful in their nominations. Both Cardiff University and the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff have two Fellows, while Swansea University and the University of Glamorgan each have one.

The 55 awards have recognised lecturers and learning support staff from a wide range of disciplines including Geography, Law, Music, Sport, Psychiatry, English, Medicine and Economics.

Professor Craig Mahoney, Chief Executive of the HEA said: “I am delighted to welcome our colleagues in Wales to the scheme this year and would like to congratulate all of the successful nominees. During my first year as Chief Executive at the HEA I have been privileged to meet many National Teaching Fellows across the country and have been inspired by their work and achievements. Their commitment and expertise are an inspiration to academics and students alike across the sector.

“The dedication of the 55 new Fellows announced today is to be applauded and provides further evidence of the high quality innovative practices that students paying fees will increasingly expect to experience in higher education.”

Jacqui Hare, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Wales, Institute Cardiff, and member of the Advisory Panel, said: “I am delighted that excellence in learning and teaching across Wales is being recognised through these awards. It is wonderful that six of our colleagues have been successful in this, our first year taking part in the scheme.

“National Teaching Fellows lead the way in promoting innovative learning and teaching practices which benefit thousands of students every year. This is a great opportunity for institutions across Wales to celebrate excellence in teaching.”

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme is part of an overall HEA programme to inspire and celebrate teacher excellence. It is funded by the Higher Education Funding Councils for England (HEFCE) and Wales (HEFCW) and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DELNI).

Along with the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, the HEA’s work in teacher excellence includes the accreditation of institution's professional development programmes and individual recognition for staff who meet the criteria of the UK Professional Standards Framework.

The new National Teaching Fellows will officially receive their awards at a ceremony which will take place in London on Wednesday 5 October 2011.