Teaching awards

The Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching at the University of Dundee and the Honorary Graduates’ Award for Inclusive Practice complement discipline-specific awards, such as the FaME (Faculty of Medical Educators), and the DUSA-organised Student Led Teaching Awards (SLTAs), where teachers are nominated by their students based on what has best supported their learning over the year.

Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching at the University of Dundee  

This award is the most prestigious teaching award made by the University and acknowledges senior teachers for outstanding achievement in contributions to teaching with us over a significant period of time. Winners will also have demonstrated effective leadership in teaching and mentorship of new teachers. They will have made significant contributions to the development and promotion of excellence in teaching within their respective discipline and/or the wider University. Successful nominees represent the very best teaching practice at the University, which is deemed to be outstanding in the following five categories: impact, sustainable change, enhancement to practice, support for transformational learning and the establishment of a legacy for practice.  

• Nominations are evaluated by a panel of peers drawn from senior colleagues from every School across the institution, Professional Services and the DUSA Executive.
• Contact the Head of the Academic Skills Centre, Dr Gordon Spark, for more information.

Current winners 2023 - 24

Professor Andrea Ross, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

Professor Ross’ clear commitment to a student-centred approach is demonstrated by her extensive work to improve the admissions process in Law and to help shape a School-wide focus on the complete student journey, from admissions to graduation, and by her involvement of students in projects such as that with WWF (UK).  

Andrea has introduced many examples of innovative practice in teaching and assessment and has worked tirelessly to embed sustainability within the law curriculum. Her focus on innovative assessment, and the consistent support and mentoring she has offered not only to students but also to junior colleagues is admirable. Andrea’s work has sustained impact across the University as well as in the wider sector.

Professor Susie Schofield, School of Medicine

Professor Schofield is passionate about improving the student experience, demonstrated by her significant and impactful work leading the Masters in Medical Education, and in particular driving the change to a cohort model, and by her sectoral work on developing a sense of belonging and student voice in Distance Learning. 

Susie is recognised for innovative and creative practice in teaching and assessment, for example she introduced an elevator pitch with a reflective essay for the Faculty Development module, as well as establishing formative assessments and discussion boards in all modules in a move to ‘design out’ academic dishonesty from assessment. Susie’s work has extensive reach in the University and far beyond, with especially notable contributions in the areas of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Quality Assurance.

Previous winners

2022-23

• Professor Pamela R. Ferguson, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

2021-22

• Dr Beth Hannah, School of Education and Social Work 
• Professor Jenny Woof, School of Life Sciences

Current winner 2023-24

Clare Robertson-Hunt, Nicola Crowe (Research Intern) and the wider Careers Service team

By placing student voices at the centre of development, the Careers Service’s ‘Disability and Employability Research Project’ responds to sector-wide calls to improve careers support for disabled students and graduates. From October 2023 to March 2024, the Careers Service consulted with disabled students on the distinct challenges that they face within employment, their current use of University resources, and their recommendations for disability-specific careers support. The Careers Service has since compiled an array of online resources for disabled students and is working to implement new forms of disability-specific careers support over coming months, all based on student concerns and preferences.

Highly Commended 2023-24

Dr Alys Einion, School of Health Sciences, for the development of the Teaching and Learning (T&L) Inclusivity Toolkit and the Researcher EDI Toolkit, These interactive, evidence-based toolkits are grounded in feedback from undergraduate and postgraduate students, directed also by challenges raised by teaching and research staff in School of Health Sciences. The toolkits are about to enter pilot stage, with the aim that they be used School-wide, and potentially be employed across the University. The T&L toolkit will challenge educators through questions and resources to radically revise curricula, teaching and learning environments and approaches. It will maximise student engagement and attainment through a range of methods including addressing sensory and neuro-cognitive challenges, and decolonising of the curriculum. The Researcher Toolkit will promote inclusive research strategies for PGR students, provide EDI information and resources, and help enhance research outputs and funding applications.

Kitty Guo, School of Dentistry, for her work to tackle racial microaggressions in dentistry training through the production of a comic based on the lived experiences of students and staff. This raises awareness and visibility of racial microaggressions that are experienced in our communities, challenging these negative behaviours. Kitty aims to: establish a collaborative community to synchronise individual and organisational responses; develop and construct innovative materials, activities and resources to tackle racial micro-aggressions; and pilot training resources congruent to staff, student and professional needs.

Dr Clement Seeballuck, School of Dentistry, for his work in empowering students by using co-creation to develop inclusive practice and enhance clinical training, particularly through the initiative Dental Connect. This group identifies vulnerable populations, then develops and implements oral health promotion activities. Students have the freedom to develop skills relating to global citizenship and public engagement, and provide free advice for our local refugee community, so promoting oral health equity. Dental Connect has a committee structure and students have made links with several businesses that donate supplies. One year since inception, it has grown, building on the success of events, to include over 80 members comprising Staff, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students. 

For more information on any of the above projects, please contact the staff member directly.

Previous winner 2022-23

Team Becky: Research in Practice - Supporting a Student with Complex Disabilities

This involved a diverse team, including the Computing teaching team and Disability Services, as well as the student Becky Tyler, her family, and also her classmates, who all collaborated effectively and innovatively to support this individual.

Previous winner 2021-22

Professor Annalu Waller, School of Science and Engineering 

Professor Annalu Waller, School of Science and Engineering, who was recognised for her work with The User Centre; a place where three distinct computer user groups from the older and disabled population meet to learn and help each other in a relaxed and friendly environment.