Special honours for dynamic dozen in Spotlight on Great Teaching Awards

Twelve talented tutors have been nominated by University College Birmingham students to receive special awards in recognition of their outstanding teaching.

The dedicated dozen were named this year's winners of the University's annual Spotlight on Great Teaching Awards, celebrating the passion, creativity and insight of lecturers from across our four schools.

Students were invited to nominate tutors for the honour, with more than 600 nominations received before the final winners were selected.

Five winners were chosen from the School of Sport and Creative Services, with Karen Dubberley, Laura Hodgkiss, Varine Boothe, Stephen Walker and Stephen Underhill all scooping awards.

Business School celebrated three award winners – Helen Joyner-Harris, Simon Faulkner and Nav Ahmed – while Anthony Wright and Liz Stratton were chosen from the College of Food, along with Caroline Prior and Saira Malik from the School of Education, Health and Community.

Business lecturer Nav Ahmed said: "I am truly honoured to have received this award. I am fortunate to be part of a great team at University College Birmingham where so many staff would be equally deserving of this.

"My goal is always simply to do the best I can for my learners to provide them with an enjoyable learning experience. Although personal accolades are never my motivation, of course it's lovely to receive such recognition as student satisfaction is the top priority not just for myself but for all our staff.

"I feel very privileged to work with such fantastic learners, so I just see it as doing my job because teaching is what I love doing. But the fact so many of them took the time to vote means a lot to me and reading their wonderful comments is humbling."

Fellow winner Caroline Prior, from the School of Education, Health and Community, said: "I feel truly honoured. Establishing effective relationships is such a crucial part of my teaching role, which has only been made possible by having the opportunity to work with and support such fantastic students.

"Being part of the learning process in empowering them to achieve their goals and aspirations is such a privilege, and I am overjoyed to have received this award – a huge thank you to all who voted for me!"

This year has seen the COVID-19 pandemic pose unique challenges for teaching staff to find innovative ways to continue delivering courses during lockdown, engaging with students through a range of online classes and assignments.

And in recognition of the difficult circumstances continuing to affect the wider community, all 12 of this year's Spotlight on Great Teaching Award winners have each been invited to nominate a local support group to receive a £500 contribution from University College Birmingham.

Congratulating the winners, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Michael Harkin said: "I would like to put on record my admiration and appreciation, and that of the governing body, for the extraordinary dedication and hard work of all staff at this time, not just those who were nominated.

"This is, without doubt, the most challenging period that the University has ever experienced in its history. We are asking a lot more of staff than normal, and for them to think and work in new ways.

"Sometimes, what we are asking from them has been hard and has meant personal sacrifice. Nonetheless, this has been readily offered in order to maintain our level of service to our students."

Plans are being developed for the winning staff to receive their awards at one of the University's celebration or graduation events later this year.

University College Birmingham’s expert teaching staff have extensive knowledge of a range of specialist areas and provide a wealth of support for our students across all levels.

Find out more about our academic staff here, and discover the full range of courses we offer here.