Two lecturers from the University of Birmingham have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships, the most prestigious individual awards for excellence in teaching in higher education.
Dr Vikki Burns from the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Dr Natalie Rowley from the School of Chemistry, were among the 55 new National Teaching Fellows revealed by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) yesterday.
Successful fellows were nominated by their institutions and submissions had to show evidence of three criteria: individual excellence, raising the profile of excellence and developing excellence.
The awards support individuals’ professional development in learning and teaching. Winners join an active community of over 750 past fellows, working together to enhance learning and teaching in their institutions and the HE sector as a whole.
Professor Kathleen Armour, Pro Vice Chancellor for Education at the University of Birmingham, says:
‘These awards are reflective of the absolute top-quality teaching here at the University, and highlight the outstanding work of Dr Vikki Burns and Dr Natalie Rowley in the areas of civic engagement and technology-enhanced learning.
‘As England’s first civic university, we have a history of engaging with our local community, and Vikki’s work on community collaboration is leading the way for the future of our activity in this area.
‘Meanwhile, Natalie’s use of innovative teaching methodologies in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum is transforming our understanding of how students learn, and helping to ensure that the University of Birmingham continues to be an exceptional place to study.’
For more information, contact Liz Bell in the University of Birmingham Press Office on +44 (0)121 414 2772.
About the NTF Scheme:
The NTF scheme is run by the HEA on behalf of the award funders: the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland (DfE).