Nominations open for AberSU Teaching Awards

Dr Neil Taylor (centre) from the Department of Computer Science receiving the Outstanding Teaching Award from Lauren Marks, Aberystwyth Students’ Union Education Officer and Professor John Grattam, Acting Vice-Chancellor at the 2016 Student-Led Teaching Awards. Credit: Alex Stuart & AJFS Photography

The Aberystwyth Students’ Union Teaching Awards, now in their sixth year, are open for nominations.

Organised annually by Aberystwyth Students’ Union, and supported by the University, the awards offer the opportunity to recognise the contribution of staff (both teaching and non-teaching) and academic representatives across the University for the work they do throughout the academic year.

Students are currently being invited to recognise staff and fellow student representatives by nominating individuals or departments for one of thirteen awards. 

The award categories for 2017 are:

• Lecturer of the Year
• Support / Service Staff Member of the Year
• Academic Representative of the Year
• Supervisor of the Year - Postgraduate
• Supervisor of the Year - Undergraduate
• Department of the Year
• Hyrwyddwr yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Champion)
• Postgraduate Teacher of the Year
• Innovative Teaching Award
• Personal Tutor of the Year
• Outstanding Feedback Award
• Next Step Award
• Leading Equality Award

Whilst the majority of the nominations will be from the student body, members of staff are also encouraged to make nominations in two categories - Academic Representative of the Year and Leading Equality Award. 

A Special Mentions category is also included, which allows the judging panel to recognise outstanding work or contributions to student life which may not fit clearly into one of the other categories.

Commenting on the success of the Awards, Ryan Myles, Education Officer at the Students’ Union, said:  “The AberSU Teaching Awards provide students with an opportunity to reward and thank members of staff and student representatives who have had an impact on your time here at Aberystwyth.

“This year the awards will be bigger and better than ever before, with 13 awards to give out this year ranging from Lecturer of the Year to Hyrwyddwr yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Champion) and Personal Tutor of the Year to Department of the year. We have new awards which include Outstanding Feedback award, Innovative Teaching award and the Next Step award. I’m looking forward to hearing all about the great stuff that goes on here in Aberystwyth.”

Professor John Grattan, Acting Vice-Chancellor commented: “The Aberystwyth Student- Teaching Awards have grown and developed over the last six years to become one of the real highlights in the University’s calendar. The awards allow students to recognise and reward best practice and celebrate the amazing contribution made by our teaching and support staff in enhancing the excellent student experience. 

“The student experience has always been at the heart of everything we do here at Aberystwyth University.  This was demonstrated by the results of the most recent National Student Survey which showed that overall satisfaction amongst our students stands at 92%, making Aberystwyth University top in Wales and one of the top five broad-based universities in the UK for overall student satisfaction.”

The nomination period for the AberSU Teaching Awards closes on 12 March.  Nominations will then be judged by a panel of staff and students, with a winner and highly commended individuals chosen for each category.

The winners will be announced at a celebration evening on Friday 5^th May.

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