Winners of 2021 Vice-Chancellor Awards for Teaching, Research and Practice Announced

The annual Vice-Chancellor Awards recognise and celebrate inspirational and outstanding teaching, research and practice at Nottingham Trent University

Each year, staff and alumni of the University are invited to nominate colleagues who they believe meet the criteria for excellence.

For teaching, the criteria includes: creating memorable and positive learning experiences; being a catalyst for change; and embodying the discipline, practice or profession for students.

In the area of research, nominees are chosen based on a successful record of research outputs; clear evidence of leadership achievements in the advancement and promotion of research; evidence of current or potential research impact; and sustained success in securing external research funding relative to career stage.

For practice, nominees are assessed against three criteria: excellence; engagement; and impact. This award covers the entire breadth of academic practice at NTU, involving many disciplines and external settings. The award considers the impact of the practice on external reputation, evaluating how it may contribute to improving public policy and people’s lives beyond NTU.

Once nominations are received, the subsequent shortlisting and selection process involves gathering supporting information and student feedback, seeking approval from School Executive teams, conducting observation sessions, and finally an awards selection panel comprising our Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Heads of College.

On this year’s awards, Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Peck, said: "We are delighted to announce the winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for the 2020/21 academic year. The awards provide fitting and deserved recognition for the achievements our colleagues have attained in their respective category. Thank you to this year’s winners for their dedication to making our institution a great place for learning, research and practice-based study."

The achievements of this year’s winners will be recognised during future Graduation Ceremonies and each will receive a contribution towards further developing their interests.

Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Teacher Award for an Established Teacher winner Dr Gianluca Fantoni, Senior Lecturer in Modern History, said: "I am delighted to receive this award, which comes at the end of my seventh year at NTU. I feel this award is a tribute to the entire team of Modern Languages - the academic and administrative staff - who, with me, have worked hard over a number of years to support the development of our students."

"I am blessed to work alongside inspiring colleagues who embrace sharing their experience, expertise, and insights into teaching and learning. I feel we have, as a team, done a marvellous job. But, as modern languages wraps up, we shall now look to the future as we move in different directions. I am moving to lecture in history and many of my colleagues are moving to other departments as well. I'm proud to know that we will all take what we have learned while working together and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our students."

Outstanding Research Award Winner Professor Craig Sale said: "I am incredibly grateful for this award, particularly given the number of outstanding researchers at NTU across many disciplines. This award underlines the sterling support that I have been given by my colleagues across NTU since I arrived in 2008 and the rewarding collaborations that I have established with researchers external to NTU."

"I feel fortunate to be working at a university where one’s efforts are recognised and awarded, whether these be directly related to research in its many guises or in relation to teaching, practice or other scholarly activities."

Teaching award winner Dr Stuart Burch said: "This is just the perfect way to celebrate 20 years as a lecturer at NTU! And I'm particularly delighted that the award was for a module taught online to postgraduates at Communication University of China. I can't wait to get back to Beijing to celebrate with the staff and students at our wonderful partner institution. They're the ones who really deserve this VCTA."

See below for a full list of this year’s winners.

Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award

Dr Lia Blaj-Ward (School of Arts & Humanities)

Dr Mhairi Bowe (School of Social Sciences)

Dr Ali Bowes (School of Science & Technology)

Dr Stuart Burch (School of Arts & Humanities)

Andy Grayson (School of Social Sciences)

Jonny Greatrex (School of Arts & Humanities)

Andrew Mackenzie (School of Social Sciences)

Kate Mills (Nottingham Law School)

Dr Samantha Ward (School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences)

Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Practice Award