Lecturers Scoop National Awards for Excellence

12th June 2015

Two academic staff from Sheffield Hallam University have been honoured with national awards which celebrate outstanding achievements in learning and teaching in higher education.

Dr Alison Twells and Dr Jeff Waldock have been awarded with National Teaching Fellowships by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in recognition of how they have inspired learners and influenced teaching practice. Dr Twells is a reader in history at Sheffield Hallam. Over the past decade, she has developed modules that enable students to explore the relationship between history, heritage and regeneration, and to work in partnership with public and community-based historians. Alison has contributed to academic publications, written a book based on the wartime diaries of an East Midlands schoolgirl, and has developed the website South Yorkshire Through Time, a collaborative hub for history projects between students, academics, the public and community historians. Alison said: "I really am very happy to have been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship. I believe passionately that history is vital in helping us to create understanding in the world today and in building and sustaining personal and community identities. "When students work on public history projects, it can be transformative for them. The same is true of community-based history. A research project on wellbeing that we've recently undertaken confirmed our hunch - doing history is good for you!" Dr Jeff Waldock is the subject group leader for mathematics at Sheffield Hallam. He has a keen interest in using technology to stimulate and motivate students' learning. He has been instrumental in developing an innovative maths hub at the University, which is a shared staff-student space to facilitate learning outside the classroom. Jeff said: "I'm delighted to receive this award. I believe that creating a shared community of learning is an important factor in helping students to reach their potential. I've also created interactive learning tools to help students explore aspects of the maths curriculum, and am always keen to encourage maths students to acquire employability skills through extra-curricular opportunities available at the University." Both Alison and Jeff have been supported in their applications by Dr Graham Holden, director of learning and teaching at the University. He said: -I am really pleased for Alison and Jeff. These National Teaching Fellowships are testimony to their innovative practice and the impact they have had on their students and colleagues. These awards, alongside our own Inspirational Teaching Awards, reflect the quality of our teaching and learning. Now in its 15th year, the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme supports individuals' professional development in learning and teaching. As part of the award fellows receive £10,000 each to help them continue making a positive impact in learning and teaching. National Teaching Fellows are an active community of passionate and enthusiastic professionals, working to enhance learning and teaching in their institutions and the sector.