Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching - Award Holders
Winning a Teaching Award evidences an individual's commitment to improving learning and teaching across NTU. Here you will find details of colleagues shortlisted for Award 2020/21 and get a brief glimpse into why they were nominated. You can also find lists of winners from previous years at the bottom of the page.

Thank you to all who participated in the 2020/21 Awards.
We are excited to announce twelve recipients of this year’s Award, which includes three recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Teaching Award: one for an Early Career Teacher, and two for an Established Teacher.
These Awards recognise and celebrate inspirational teaching at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), and the criteria against which an award is judged has emerged from consultation with the NTU community including students, staff and alumni. This means winning an award is a mark of recognition by the NTU community that awardees have demonstrated a level of distinction in teaching and learning.
Congratulations to you all!
Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Teacher Award for an Early Career Teacher

Dr Ian Whittaker
Senior Lecturer, School of Science and Technology
Ian was nominated for this award by colleagues who wrote enthusiastically about the impact he has made to the provision of online learning within Physics. Ian has developed a virtual laboratory and adapted a number of experiments to take place within a virtual environment.
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Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Teacher Award for an Established Teacher

Dr Sarah Broadberry
Principal Lecturer, School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences
Sarah was nominated for this award by two colleagues who spoke in detail about her dedication to the improvement of learning and teaching. Sarah was an early adopter of team based and flipped learning methods and is keen to experiment with new teaching concepts and technologies.

Dr Gianluca Fantoni
Senior Lecturer, School of Arts & Humanities
Gianluca was nominated for this award by colleagues who believe he deserves recognition for his infectious enthusiasm for and dedication to learning and teaching both inside and outside of the classroom. Gianluca provides exemplary pastoral and academic support to each student ensuring a learning environment where all students thrive.
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Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award 2021

Dr Lia Blaj-Ward
Senior Lecturer, School of Arts & Humanities
Lia was nominated by colleagues who describe her as ‘the embodiment of the inspirational and collaborative teacher’. Lia has facilitated both collaborative learning experiences and bespoke individual sessions in which students have exceeded their own expectations of academic success and, in doing so, raised their aspirations for life beyond NTU.

Dr Mhairi Bowe
Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences
Mhairi was nominated by a group of three former students who were keen to tell us about how she manages to strike the right balance between challenge and support in teaching. They wrote enthusiastically of how Mhairi challenges students to engage and excel whilst also creating an inclusive and positive learning environment in which students feel able to take risks.

Dr Ali Bowes
Senior Lecturer, School of Science & Technology
Ali was nominated by colleagues who feel she deserves recognition for the impact she has had on learning and teaching since joining NTU in January 2019. Ali has actively fostered opportunities for blended learning, and for student empowerment and engagement resulting in exemplary feedback from students and colleagues alike.

Dr Stuart Burch
Senior Lecturer, School of Arts & Humanities
Stuart was nominated by colleagues who describe an approach to teaching and learning which challenges students not only to learn ‘knowledge’ but to critically engage with ‘knowledge’ often changing the way that they think about themselves and the world around them.

Andy Grayson
Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences
Andy was nominated by a colleague and a former student who spoke in detail about his commitment to placing the student at the heart of learning and teaching. Andy has been instrumental in designing new approaches to assessment and feedback, creating a system that encourages lecturers to think of every piece of graded work as a valuable opportunity to coach and develop each student.

Jonny Greatrex
Senior Lecturer, School of Arts & Humanities
Jonny was nominated by both a colleague and a former student who wrote of the positive impact he has had on students equipping them for professional life. Jonny has built on the model of practical ‘newsdays’ in the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, widening the scope of professional activities and learning opportunities for students.

Andrew Mackenzie
Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences
Andrew was nominated by colleagues because of his unique and engaging teaching style. The Panel also heard from two former students who noted that Andrew’s approach to teaching, supervision and support were fundamental in furthering their careers after graduation.

Kate Mills
Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Law School
Kate was nominated for this award by colleagues who told the Panel that she ‘embodies the concept of inspirational teaching’. They noted her scholarly approach blended with substantive knowledge and experience of industry means Kate expertly bridges the gap between theory and practice for students. What results are rich learning experiences and a lifelong love of the law.

Dr Samantha Ward
Principal Lecturer, School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences
Samantha was nominated by a colleague and a former student who felt she deserved recognition for her student-centred approach, both inside and outside of the classroom. Samantha has been instrumental in encouraging the next generation of zoo professionals to be transformative within their industry.
Winners for 2019/20
Vice-Chancellor Teaching Award Holders 2019/2020
Name | School | Subject Area |
---|---|---|
Jennifer Sanders | School of Social Sciences | Social Work, Care and Community |
Neil Turnball | School of Arts and Humanities | English, Communications and Philosophy |
Tracey Powell | School of Arts and Humanities | Journalism and Media |
Mojtaba Poorrezaei | Nottingham Business School | Marketing |
David Hindley | School of Science and Technology | Sports Science |
Darren Rhodes | School of Social Sciences | Psyhology |
Eleanor Power | School of Social Sciences | Nottingham Institute of Education |
Ruth Boat | School of Science and Technology | Sports Science |
Jenny Slack | School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences | Environmental Science |
Zena Rashid | School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment | Educational Developer |
Vice-Chancellor Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award Holder 2019/2020
Name | School | Subject Area |
---|---|---|
Mark Thomas | Nottingham Law School | Academic Undergraduate Programmes |
Vice-Chancellor Outstanding Established Teaching Award Holder 2019/2020
Name | School | Subject Area |
---|---|---|
Lisa Clughen | School of Arts and Humanities | History, Languages and Global Cultures |
Winners for 2018/19
Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award Holders 2018/19
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Dr Matt Connell | School of Arts & Humanities | Journalism and Media |
Dr Emanuela Cervato | School of Arts & Humanities | History, Languages and Global Cultures |
Mr Takanori Funamoto | School of Arts & Humanities | Nottingham Language Centre |
Georgia Stone | School of Arts & Humanities | Employability |
Ryan Murray | Nottingham Law School | Academic Undergraduate Programmes |
Dr Mark Sergeant | School of Social Sciences | Psychology |
Emma Reith-Hall | School of Social Sciences | Social Work, Care and Community |
Dr Ofelia Palermo | Nottingham Business School | Management |
David Jukes | School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences | Environmental Science |
Dr Louise Gentle | School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences | Environmental Science |
Dr Zakwan Arab | School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment | Civil Engineering |
Vice-Chancellors Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award Holder 2018/19
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Laurence Shaw | School of Science & Technology | Physics and Maths |
Vice Chancellors Outstanding Established Teaching Award Holder 2018/19
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Helen Merrin | School of Art & Design | Visual Communications |
Winners for 2017/18
Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award 2017/18
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
David Mann | School of Arts & Humanities | Nottingham Language Centre |
Patrick O'Connor | School of Arts & Humanities | English Culture and Media |
Chris Towers | School of Social Sciences | Social Work and Health |
Eva Zysk | School of Social Sciences | Psychology Division |
Gareth Williams | School of Social Sciences | Psychology Division |
Shishir Malde | Nottingham Business School | Accounting & Finance |
Dan Brown | School of Science & Technology | Physics & Maths |
Kelly Yarnell | School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences | Animal & Equine Science |
Vice-Chancellors Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award Holder 2017/18
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Carl Kilcourse | School of Arts & Humanities | History Languages and International Studies |
Vice Chancellors Outstanding Established Teaching Award Holder 2017/18
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Tim Rundle | School of Art & Design | Fashion Marketing Management & Communication |
Winners for 2016/17
Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award 2016/17
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Moira Moran | School of Social Sciences | Nottingham Institute of Education |
Sue Hunt | School of Social Sciences | Nottingham Institute of Education |
Sheridan Brown | School of Social Sciences | Nottingham Institute of Education |
Matthew Homewood | Nottingham Law School | Nottingham Law School |
Ruth Crawford | School of Arts & Humanities | History, Languages and International Studies |
Anna Dawson | School of Arts & Humanities | English, Culture and Media |
Vice-Chancellors Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award Holder 2016/17
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
David Wright | School of Arts & Humanities | English, Culture and Media |
Vice Chancellors Outstanding Established Teaching Award Holder 2016/17
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Donna Humphrey | School of Arts & Humanities | Nottingham Language Centre |
Winners for 2015/16
Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award Holders 2015/16
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Ronan Fitzsimons | School of Arts & Humanities | History, Languages and International Studies |
Chris Reynolds | School of Arts & Humanities | History, Languages and International Studies |
Doreen Connor | School of Education | Secondary and Continuing Education |
Sarah Davies | School of Education | Secondary and Continuing Education |
Nicky-Jane Kerr-Gilbert | School of Education | Primary Teacher Education |
Pamela Henderson | Nottingham Law School | Law |
James Hind | School of Science & Technology | Physics and Mathematics |
Distinguished Award for Teaching and Learning 2015/16
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Andrew O'Hagan | School of Science & Technology | Chemistry and Forensic Science |
Winners for 2014/15
Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award Holders 2014/15
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Nick Prior | School of Architecture, Design & the Built Environment | Civil Engineering |
Justine Davidson | School of Art & Design | Fashion Marketing Management and Communication |
Jo Boylan-Kemp | Nottingham Law School | Nottingham Law School |
Ben Clutterbuck | School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences | Environmental Science |
Cath Gripton | EDU | Nottingham Institute of Education |
Racheal Blazewicz-Bell | EDU | Nottingham Institute of Education |
Winners for 2013/14
Vice Chancellors Teaching Award Holders 2013/14
Name | School | Area |
---|---|---|
Alan Crisp | School of Architecture, Design & the Built Environment | Product Design |
Anthony Ward | School of Architecture, Design & the Built Environment | Construction Management |
Tina Downes | School of Art & Design | Fashion Textiles and Knitwear Design |
Matthew Ashton | School of Social Sciences | Social and Political Sciences |
Dave Fairhurst | School of Science & Technology | Physics and Maths |
Michael Loughlin | School of Science & Technology | Biosciences |
Vic Brown | EDUC | Nottingham Institute of Education |
Nicholas Morton | School of Arts & Humanities | History, Languages and Global Cultures |
Chris Royle | School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences | School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences |
Jane Challinor | School of Social Sciences | Health and Social Care |
Rowena Hill | School of Social Sciences | Psychology |
Graham Sharpe | School of Science and Technology | Sports Science |