Inspirational learning and teaching was celebrated at this year's Education Awards, held on Thursday 3rd April 2025. The Education Awards combines the Academic Rep Awards, Peer Support Awards and University Teaching Awards in one night of celebration. Nominees, colleagues and students from the University were invited to join in the celebrations at the Guildhall.
Again large numbers of nominations were received for the University Teaching Awards this year, which recognise outstanding staff achievements in learning and teaching across the University. Professor Julian Chaudhuri, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education), congratulated all nominees for their commitment to delivering exceptionally high-quality learning and teaching, and pastoral support activities.
We look forward to talking to our 7 award winners over the coming weeks to find out more about their outstanding effort and commitment to learning and teaching, and what it means to them to win an award.
Our winners will present at Edufest 2025, where we will be able to hear of all the good practice.
Academic Advisor of the Year Award
This award recognises the important and valuable role Academic Advisors have in supporting students in their studies and personal development throughout their course.
Dr Rhiannon Edwards (Department of Psychology) has shown exceptional dedication and unwavering support always going above and beyond in her role, checking up on her advisees, particularly during exam seasons and after results have been posted. Rhiannon's dedication to student well-being is evident in her flexible and supportive approach, providing guidance during periods of uncertainty to students. One personal story captured her dedication involved a student who was struggling with both academic pressures and personal issues. She not only provided academic guidance but also helped the student access support services and offered a listening ear during difficult times. This student's grades improved significantly, and they credited her unwavering support for their success. Rhiannon's commitment to her students is exemplary. Her warmth, support, approachability and kindness, alongside her professionalism, make her an outstanding Academic Advisor and worthy winner of the award.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the Academic Advisor of the Year Award, especially given the outstanding colleagues who were also shortlisted. This Award means a lot to me as Academic Advising is something I am passionate about, and to read the words supporting the nomination reminded me of how rewarding it is. Having a positive impact on the student journey and experience fuels my passion to continue; seeing those students who I have supported graduate and thrive is the most rewarding part of my job! Academic advising is something we pride ourselves in across the institution, and it is truly a privilege to work with such ambitious and conscientious students and colleagues" Rhiannon Edwards
Innovation in Learning and Teaching Award
The Innovation in Learning and Teaching Award is made in recognition of a significant contribution to innovation in curriculum design, content or delivery.
Dr Emma Rich (Department for Health) has built on past successful initiatives to design and deliver a groundbreaking unit that uses film as a vehicle for social change. Her unit, "Sport and Social Change," has empowered students to identify social issues and produce, direct, and edit short films with agendas for social change. This co-creative approach has not only equipped students with essential digital and engagement skills but has also led to impactful social campaign films addressing issues such as knife crime, mental health, and period poverty. An inspiring event is the film festival day held in December, where students screen their films to internal and external guests. The impact of these films extends beyond the classroom, with collaborations with local organisations like Bath City Football Club. The films are also hosted by ConnectSport, further extending their reach and impact. Emma's dedication to public engagement and social transformation is exemplary, and her commitment to innovation, creativity, and social impact is evident in every aspect of her work.
"It is a great honour to receive the Innovation in Teaching Award, and I would like to congratulate everyone who was nominated. I would also like to thank the panel for their time and thoughtful consideration in reviewing the nominations. I was deeply moved by the generous comments submitted in support of my nomination and truly appreciate everyone who took the time to share them. This recognition is not an individual achievement; it reflects the collective effort to create meaningful, real-world learning experiences, and this award belongs to all involved.
I feel privileged to have worked with such exceptional final-year BSc Sport Management and Coaching students in the Sport and Social Change unit. Their energy, creativity, and commitment to producing films that could drive real-world change in and through Sport were truly inspiring. It was a highlight of my teaching career to witness them design and produce such powerful films, many of which were developed in collaboration with external organisations. The students stepped outside their comfort zones not only by creating films for the first time but also by developing crucial public engagement skills that are essential for making an impact.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who supported this project: to the Faculty Teaching Development Fund, which supported the initial pilot of this innovation; Dr. Harry Bowles (Director of Studies) for his collaboration on the TDF project; the Sport Management and Coaching teaching team; The Centre for Teaching and Learning; Simon Lansley from ConnectSport, a not-for-profit CIC that partners with UK universities to raise awareness and support for underfunded local charities and sport-for-development organisations, who kindly hosted the films the students produced. I also could not have delivered this unit without the invaluable support of the Academic and Digital Skills team—Ana Bertolossi, Kirsty Morlese, Femke Davis, and Aneesa Zafar—who provided the students with resources to develop their filmmaking skills, including filming, editing; and copyright guidance from Tom Pace; Phil Chamberlain for essential filmmaking guidance. The intention was always to enable students to work in partnership with community organisations to create real-world impact and develop their public engagement skills, and these collaborations were facilitated by Belinda Moore (placements), Emily Salvidge (Sport@Bath) and Emily Richards (Strategic Engagement). Finally, I want to extend my gratitude to our inspirational DoLTs, James Fern and Lucy Noble.
We are fortunate to have such strong support for innovation in teaching at the University, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have been given here." Emma Rich
Mary Tasker Award
The Mary Tasker Award recognises excellence in teaching, particularly through the use of creative and effective approaches.
Dr Waleed Ali (Department of Mathematical Sciences) exemplifies these qualities in every aspect of his work. The enthusiastic, innovative and dynamic teaching methods have transformed the learning experience for his students. As one student wrote "He turned our Wednesday 9 a.m. lectures from a drag to something we looked forward to attending. I mean, who knew math could be more effective than coffee at waking you up?". Waleeds dedication to making mathematics accessible is evident in his wide-ranging teaching portfolio, and the ability to engage students, through interactive activities is a testament to his passion and effectiveness as an educator. As another student stated, "He was the only lecturer who used demonstrations to teach and keep us hooked. I mean, who else can make a Friday afternoon lecture feel like a magic show?". Others spoke of the welcoming and supportive learning environment, his contagious energy and enthusiasm and his ability to make Maths less scary. Waleed's teaching has been recognised by the Math Society, which awarded him "Best Lecturer of an Applied Module," "Best Overall Lecturer," and "Teaching the Best Unit". So here is another award to recognise his outstanding contribution to teaching.
John Willis Award
The John Willis Award recognises dedication to the academic and personal lives of students combined with a significant contribution to teaching and accomplishment in research. We received many strong nominations for this Award.
Dr James Scobie (Department of Mechanical Engineering) has made a profound impact on his students through his innovative and research-informed teaching. His ability to explain complex topics clearly and engagingly has transformed the learning experience for many. In addition to his teaching excellence, James has an impressive track record of research. He has published 61 papers in international leading journals, five of which have received Best Paper Awards from prestigious organisations such as ASME and IMechE. His research has attracted significant grant income and formed the basis of an Impact Case Study in REF 2021. James commitment to pastoral care is equally commendable. He provides detailed feedback and support to his tutees, helping them achieve their academic goals. As the department’s Director of Recruitment, Access, and Admissions, he has run a highly successful residential summer school for Year 10 students, encouraging young people from diverse backgrounds to study engineering. His efforts have made a significant impact on widening participation and fostering a more inclusive academic community.
“It’s an honour to receive the John Willis Award and I am incredibly grateful to all of the students and colleagues in Mechanical Engineering who supported my nomination. As a former graduate of the department myself, I benefited enormously from the first-class teaching I received at Bath and the subsequent opportunities that were presented to me. I’m motivated to maintain and emulate this standard as best I can and to inspire the next generation of future engineers to solve tomorrow’s problems. We should all be mindful that the biggest asset we have as a university is the quality of our students and it is our job to enable them to maximise their potential through world-leading, research-informed teaching.” James Scobie
Director of Studies Award
The Director of Studies Award recognises the important role played by Directors of Studies in supporting learning and teaching, and their positive impact on the student experience.
Dr Mattia Cacciatori (Department of Political and Languages and International Studies) has been an outstanding Director of Studies for over four years, leading through example, dedication and hard work. As DoS Mattia has made a significant and very positive impact on the curriculum, the student experience and the quality of learning and teaching in the programmes that he oversees. He showed exemplary leadership during the pandemic, personally ensuring students remained engaged and well supported throughout. He designed and led the Curriculum Transformation of the entire programme and is currently in the final stages of further restructuring to ensure its future a challenging environment. His success and enthusiasm led to him now being at the forefront of enhancing teaching practices across the whole department and beyond. His energy, ideas and impact, alongside his care for students have been at the core of the programmes’ ongoing success and were reflected in the unprecedented 100% student satisfaction score for International Relations in the 2024 PTES. Mattia is committed, caring, strategic and dynamic.
"I’m truly honoured to receive this award. I see it as a reflection of our institution’s strong commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, as well as a shared dedication to always putting students first. I also want to acknowledge that none of the pedagogical innovations I’ve been part of would be possible without the incredible support from the PoLIS department and the HSS faculty. I feel very fortunate to work alongside such exceptional colleagues." Mattia Cacciatori
Best Team Award in Support of Student Learning
The Best Team in Support of Student Learning Award recognises exceptional or innovative teamwork in the delivery of learning and teaching.
H&SS Assessment and Feedback Project Team, (Professor Gail Forey, Ed Mason, Dr Lucy Noble, Dr Rhiannon Edwards and Jo Charles) Faculty of H&SS and Department of CLT. This team stood out this year as exceptional, having worked to transform assessment and feedback practices within their faculty. Their efforts have improved clarity and consistency in assessment, positively impacting 73 courses and 185 units. Through workshops and collaborative initiatives, they have fostered a shared language for discussing assessment and feedback, significantly enhancing student satisfaction. For example, on one unit, following the team’s intervention, the overall satisfaction increased from 37% to 71.3%. It is not surprising that their inclusive, research informed approach has been recognised as 'best practice' in university reports and has inspired similar initiatives in other faculties. A staff member has stated "Their impactful work continues to shape the University’s approach to assessment and feedback. The team's collaborative efforts have not only improved assessment practices but also strengthened the professional learning of staff and enhanced the dialogue between staff and students."
"It is an honour to receive the Best Team in Support of Student Learning Award. This achievement wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of the wider HSS Faculty, including the Dean, Directors of Teaching (DoTs), and Directors of Studies (DoSs), and other great colleagues. The award recognises the collective passion of our colleagues across HSS for enhancing assessment for learning. Their dedication to working with us to implement innovative strategies has had a positive impact on the student experience, and we hope this will continue for years to come. We are truly grateful for this recognition and the collaborative spirit that drives our success." H&SS A&F Team
Leadership in Learning and Teaching Award
The Leadership in Learning & Teaching Award is awarded to a member of staff who can show a sustained and successful profile of transformational leadership in learning and teaching within the University.
Professor Marion Harney (Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering) is an extraordinary example of someone who has personally broken barriers to participation and achievement in Higher Education to attain the highest levels of academic recognition. Her journey from a school leaver in a deprived area to a leader in her academic field has informed her extraordinary contribution to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at Bath. She personally led the University's Athena SWAN programme to an Institutional Silver award in 2021 and has advised many successful departments on their individual Athena Swan submissions, becoming a beacon of EDI at Bath. She also stepped up to lead the rollout of the Curriculum Transformation (CT). Through sheer force of personality, she pushed through a programme of change which has had a profoundly beneficial impact on education at Bath, through the redesign our entire curriculum with a holistic, whole course learning and assessment perspective. Unsurprisingly, she ensured that EDI, sustainability, and the embracing of new technologies were firmly embedded in this process. Outside of the University, Marion's role as a leader in her field, her pride in Bath and her passion for historical architecture led to her appointment as Chair of the Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site Advisory Board. Prof Tim Ibell stated, "She is a true inspiration, showing that a determined individual can excel in academia and have a lasting impact on her university, its staff and students, and on the preservation of her historic city."
Marion truly is a human dynamo, turbo-charging anything she takes on. She is also a passionate defender of good causes, happy to speak truth to power whenever she can and brings a sense of humour and humanity to every challenge. The transformational leadership in learning and teaching has made a profound difference in our academic community.
"Thank you for this incredible recognition. I am deeply honoured to receive this award, but I know that such achievements are never the result of one person alone. This recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment, passion, and resilience of my colleagues, whose support and collaboration have been truly inspirational.
This year, a handful of nominees were awarded Highly Commended by the Awards Committee: Dr Paul Cox, School of Management (Innovation in Learning & Teaching); Dr Charlotte Dack, Department of Psychology and Dr Catherine-Axa Wilkins, Department of Life Sciences (Academic Advisor of the Year Award); Dr Jack Spicer Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Dr Hannah Leese, Department of Chemical Engineering and Dr Melih Celik, School of Management (John Willis Award);
Congratulations to all those who were shortlisted and nominated for our Teaching Awards this year;
Academic Advisor of the Year Award: Paul DeBank, Catherine-Axa Wilkins*, Jade Utting-Bloomfield, Lorenzo Caggiano, Charlotte Dack*, Philip Ingham, Laurence Hurst, Manuela Martinez-Barona Soyer, Elizabete Cardoso, Nuno Reis.
Innovation in Learning & Teaching: Paul Cox*, Predrag Lazetic, Samuel Bull*, Becky Lavin, Sanjay Nagarajin, Janina Hoffman, Gareth Roberts & Jessica Francombe Webb, Cristina Martinez, Peter Manning, Omar Khan.
John Willis Award: Richard Hamshaw, Jack Spicer*, Pregrag Lazetic, Hannah Leese*, Melih Celik*.
Mary Tasker Award: Louise Jarvis, Sanjay Nagarajan, Astrid Forsyth, Rhiannon Edwards*, Liz Kullman, Antonio Exposito, Milena Romano, Samantha Hayward, John Chew*, Lee Moore, Nuno Reis, Oliver Walton, Kevin Robinson, Michael Carley, Richard Hamshaw, Max Western, Zack Lyons, Teslim Bukoye, Lorenzo Caggiano.
Leadership in Learning & Teaching: Alboraz Shokrani, Sabina Gheduzzi, Lorenzo Caggiano*, Ventsislav Valev*.
Best Team in Support of Student Learning: Faculty of Science Placements Team (Sally Bessell, Katherine Bright, Jonny Hodgson, Kathryn Hood, Mark Lewis, Louise Oliver, Gina Pollock, Tim Prichard), MSc Public Policy (Ricky Kanabar, Theodoros Papadopoulos, Beth Jaynes, Nick Pearce, Iulia Cioroianu, Harry Rutter, Kei Tsutsui, Matteo De Tina, Katharina Lenner, Emma Carmel, Joe Chrisp, Diana Teggi, Habtamu Beshir, Graham Room).
Director of Studies Award: George Newth, Alison Tinknell-Smith, Manuela Martinez-Barona Soyer*, Ollie Thomasson, Rosella Salandra, Christine Edmead, Harry Bowles*, Fabio Nemetz.
* shortlisted
Read more about the awards made to student reps, peer mentors, lecturers, and support staff years at this year's Education Awards.
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