Two business school academics were recognised for their success in inspiring and engaging students at the annual Teaching Excellence Awards which took place on May 18 at Strathclyde University.
Organised by the University of Strathclyde Students' Association (USSA), the awards, now in their second year, are a student-led initiative and give students the opportunity to nominate lecturers in five different categories.
David MacKay from Strathclyde Business School's Department of Management scooped the top award of 'Best Overall Teacher'. His commitment to student engagement based on treating students as equals and encouraging them to find their own way with the subject saw him shortlisted for all five awards.
Kevin O'Gorman, also from the Department of Management, was joint winner in the 'Passion for the Subject' category. In total, there were 27 academics from the business school nominated for the awards.
This year's success follows on from last year when two academics from the business school won the first awards: George Vlachos, Department of Management was named as 'outstanding teacher' and Dr Jim Hamill, Department of Marketing, named as winner of the 'innovative teacher' award.
This year, the awards were expanded, with categories being increased from two to five: useful learning; teacher in a supporting role; innovative teaching; passion for the subject; and best overall teacher.
The awards, which were first piloted at Strathclyde last year, are part of a Scotland-wide initiative supported by NUS Scotland and the Higher Education Academy to help Students’ Associations across the country to launch and carry out student-led teaching awards, enabling students and staff to engage in a positive debate around teaching quality.
With over 300 students from every undergraduate department at the university nominating 151 lecturers, this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards have been hailed a phenomenal success by students, lecturers and university staff alike.
Image (Left to Right):
David MacKay- Management (formerly of DMEM)- Best Overall Teacher
Cedric Moreau- French Department- Useful Learning Award
Claire Cassidy- School of Education- Teacher in a Supporting Role (Joint Winner)
Amanda Corrigan- School of Education- Teacher in a Supporting Role (Joint Winner)
Duncan Smeed- Computer and Information Sciences- Innovative Teaching
Lizann Bonnar- Psychology Department- Passion for the Subject (Joint Winner)
Not pictured: Kevin O’Gorman- Management Department- Passion for the Subject (Joint Winner)
Visit our photo gallery for more images from the evening at www.strathstudents.com/teaphotos