Student news

Teaching winners honoured

Teaching excellence across the University has been recognised in the annual EUSA Teaching Awards.

Photo of a man holding a EUSA Teaching Award

Students voted in a range of categories to honour staff who have had a major impact on improving their learning experiences.

The Teaching Awards began in 2009 as part of an ongoing commitment to highlight the importance of excellence in teaching alongside the University’s research activity. They are organised by Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA).

The awards recognise teachers, support staff and peer support leaders who strive to raise standards and introduce innovative ways of helping students to learn.

Night of celebrations

Winners were announced at a ceremony held in the University’s Teviot Row House.

More than 2000 nominations were received, and a student judging panel agreed the shortlist and winners.

Awards in 11 categories, including Best Personal Tutor, Best Feedback and Best Support Staff were presented.

More than 100 students and staff members attended the event.

Recognising excellence and innovation in how we deliver teaching across the University is vital. The student run EUSA Teaching Awards are now firmly established as one of the most important events in our academic year. The awards, along with our new 'Teaching Matters' initiative, which celebrates and highlights some wonderful examples of teaching, makes me immensely proud of Edinburgh's success in supporting learning

Professor Sir Timothy O’SheaPrincipal and Vice-Chancellor, the University of Edinburgh

The teaching awards are an incredible way for our students to celebrate excellence in teaching, rather than just satisfaction. Growing every year, the awards are helping to make teaching a top priority and give great teaching the recognition it deserves at the university.

Imogen WilsonVice-President, Academic Affairs, EUSA

The winners

The winners in each category were as follows:

Best Feedback

Mal Burkinshaw, School of Design, Edinburgh College of Art

Best Personal Tutor

Dr Jamie Cole, School of Physics and Astronomy

Best Student Who Tutors

Paul Archibald, Reid School of Music, Edinburgh College of Art

Best Research/Dissertation Supervisor

Professor Siân Bayne, Moray House School of Education

Best Support Staff

Lee Gaedtke, School of Health in Social Science

Best Course

Dr Meryl Kenny and Professor Fiona Mackay, School of Social and Political Science (for: Social and Political Science in Practice)

Best Overall Teacher

The Kendell Award for Teaching in Medicine

Professor Jamie Davies, Edinburgh Medical School; Biomedical Sciences

The Award for Teaching in Veterinary Sciences

Julie Dickson, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine

The Van Heyningen Award for Teaching in Science and Engineering

Dr Ahmad Al-Remal, School of Engineering

The Ian Campbell Award for Teaching in the Humanities and Social Science

Marwa Mouazen, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

Innovative Assessment

Dr Isla Myers-Smith and Dr Aidan Keane (for: Conservation Science)

Teaching Matters

The University is also celebrating innovative learning techniques – and sharing great teaching ideas – as part of its Teaching Matters initiative.

The Teaching Matters website, and accompanying blog, allows teachers and learners to explore new ideas, demonstrate fresh approaches and discuss ways to improve learning. It also highlights the best examples of teaching.