Innovative learning recognised at BU

9 December 2008

Award winners with Professor Paul Curran

BU staff have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to student learning at a recent award ceremony at BU.

An awards ceremony to recognise staff commitment to student learning was hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Curran at BU’s Lansdowne Campus on Wednesday 3 December 2008.

The 'Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning' honoured academic staff for their innovative and creative approaches to learning and demonstrated their passion for giving BU students the best possible educational experience.

BU’s Academic Schools nominated individuals and teams of staff for the awards which culminated in the evening reception to celebrate staff success and recognise best practice across the University.

Professor Curran congratulated 30 members of staff, through five team awards and 15 individual awards, for their commitment to enhancing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Each award included a £1,000 prize in recognition of the team’s or individual’s significant achievement.

Initiatives celebrated at the ceremony included Dissertation support for placement students; Online delivery for mature professional part-time students; Interactive seminars for self-managed learning; Learning-through-action for research-based fieldwork; Blended learning using electronic resources; Implementation of convergence news publishing for journalism education; Mentoring project for Social Work students from marginalised groups; Podcast lectures to improve engagement; and Research to improve pastoral and academic support to International students.

In his opening speech, Professor Curran said: “Our colleagues recognised this evening showcase the work our Schools have been doing to support BU’s innovative Education Enhancement Strategy, which we are developing in order to create the best possible student learning experience. I offer my congratulations to you all.”

The winners will be encouraged to disseminate their awards as models of best practice at staff development seminars, in journal papers, at BU’s annual Education Conference and in other innovative ways.