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Lecturer shortlisted for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year 2019

A forensic science lecturer from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been shortlisted for a national teaching award.

    Andy O'Hagan
    Andy O'Hagan

    Andy O’Hagan, who teaches in the School of Science and Technology, has been shortlisted in The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2019 in the Most Innovative Teacher of the Year category.

    The award recognises staff whose imagination and passion have transformed a course and inspired students.

    Andy, who has been working at NTU since 2010, uses inventive and hands-on teaching methods to bring his lectures to life and inspire students.

    Andy currently teaches on NTU’s BSc (Hons) Forensic Science course and was also heavily involved in the creation of the University’s policing degree.

    Before coming to NTU, he gained 31 years of policing experience, working his way up to the role of detective sergeant on the Nottinghamshire Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit. He also worked undercover in covert policing in the UK, the Netherlands, and Poland.

    Alongside his teaching, Andy is an international drug trafficking expert, regularly provides evidence for the courts, and gives talks in the Netherlands, something that develops his expertise and allows him to bring real-life experience to his teaching.

    Andy has won the student led Student Union award for Outstanding Teaching Staff for the last six years, and been awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Award, both of which recognise and celebrate inspirational teaching at NTU.

    Andy, who is delighted to have been shortlisted, said: “I feel very blessed to be in a position to actually give something to our young students in the form of my experience and knowledge from my years of policing.

    “Being nominated for this award is such an honour which reflects the fantastic students at NTU.”

    Afua Acheampong, Vice President Education, Nottingham Trent Students’ Union, added: “Andy has been able to demonstrate what outstanding teaching looks like at Nottingham Trent University.

    “He has been seen to go above and beyond for his students, often supplying additional learning resources, offering industry advice to students who need it, and undoubtedly his love for his subject really shines through on his teaching.”

    The winner will be announced at the THE Awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in November.

    The awards cover a range of categories covering all university activity and recognise excellence in both academic and across professional services.

    Speaking about the awards, THE editor John Gill said: “The THE Awards hold a place in the hearts of many in UK higher education and have now been a fixture in its calendar for well over a decade.

    “With 23 categories this year, we’re showcasing more exceptional stories than ever before, and it’s a real honour for us to shine a spotlight on all those who have made it as far as these shortlists- their stories deserve much wider circulation.”

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      About Nottingham Trent University

      Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students. NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.

      The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.

      It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.

      The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 88% satisfaction score in the 2018 National Student Survey.

      NTU is also one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities, containing some of the sector’s most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings.

      NTU is home to world-class research, and won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 – the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University’s pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage; enable safer production of powdered infant formula; and combat food fraud.

    Published on 6 September 2019
    • Category: Press office