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Two academics from
The University of Nottingham have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships (NTFs).
Dr Sarah Speight from the
School of Education and Dr Joanne Lymn from the
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Physiotherapy have received the prestigious accolade in recognition of their outstanding contribution to teaching and learning.
The NFT scheme recognises and rewards the transformative impact by the recipients on student learning and the substantial commitment by them in raising the status and standard of education at the University.
The Higher Education Academy (HEA) received hundreds of nominations each year for the honour of becoming a National Teaching Fellow, all of which are a high standard. However, the scheme only awards a maximum of 55 NTFs.
Dr Joanne Lymn, associate professor
Dr Lymn works in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Physiotherapy where she teaches pharmacology to non-medical prescribing students. She has previously been awarded two Lord Dearing Awards for excellence in teaching and learning by the University.
She said: “Teaching is one of the most important things we do, and the impact of great teaching should not be underestimated. Teaching, for me, is a joy and an inspiration, where I never stop learning.”
Dr Lymn has pioneered the use of a number of innovative teaching and learning strategies, each of which were designed to respond to students’ needs for flexible tools to help them to pace their learning, and identifying their learning needs. These tools have proved invaluable in promoting student engagement and understanding.
Dr Lymn also authored and edited the first core textbook in her area which has been adopted by most non-medical prescribing courses nationally and has received positive reviews from across the UK.
The impact of her teaching is recognised nationally and internationally. She is regularly asked to provide update sessions for non-medical prescribers across the UK and has received positive feedback from prescribers about the value of these sessions.
She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship and hope I can continue to contribute to the teaching and learning environment here at Nottingham for many years to come.”
Dr Sarah Speight, Associate professor
Dr Speight is an archaeologist working within the School of Education. She began her university teaching career as a peripatetic ‘extra-mural’ tutor teaching evening classes to adult students in local centres around the East Midlands region. This experience equipped her with the skills she needed for working with diverse groups in diverse settings.
She learnt to be adaptable in managing challenging spaces and to be creative in using teaching methods that engaged students of all ages, from different educational backgrounds and life experiences. When she moved into ‘mainstream’ university teaching she brought these skills with her and has continued to apply them.
Dr Speight said: “It means a great deal to me to receive this award, as it is about teaching and learning, which is what I do best. It is a fantastic feeling to be enthused by your subject and your students — to create an energy around participation, development, innovative assessment, and reflective practice. I love working out new ways to enhance teaching and learning — the Fellowship will support me to do even more of this.”
Dr Speight is currently looking at the impact of crisis on curriculum, but now her focus is on employability and sustainability.
£10,000 award
Each successful nominee is awarded with £10,000 as recognition of their individual excellence. This money is intended to fund professional develop in teaching and learning or aspects of pedagogy.
The scheme is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, and the Department of Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.
Dr Speight and Dr Lymn will be formally presented with their NTFs Awards Ceremony at Middle Temple Hall in London on Wednesday 9 October 2013 at which a celebratory dinner will be held.
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 42,000 students at award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. It was ‘one of the first to embrace a truly international approach to higher education’, according to the Sunday Times University Guide 2013. It is also one of the most popular universities among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 75 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong and the QS World Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. The University aims to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health. The University won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its research into global food security.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…