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The Vice Chancellor presented this year's winners with their certificates and lapel pins at the 12th Annual Learning and Teaching Conference: INNOVATE, in Chelmsford, on June 28th 2011.

From a strong field of applications, this year six demonstrated the level of excellence required to achieve this prestigious award. These are: Dr Toby Carter, Mrs Julia Anne Druce, Dr Julio D'Escriván, Dr John Gardner, Ms Paula Sobiechowska and Dr Isabel Williams.

Dr Toby Carter, Principal Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Technology. Toby has been a passionate advocate for creating a rich and supportive learning environment not only for his own students but also for those across the Faculty for many years, particularly through the use of technology. He introduced a computer-aided assessment system to the Faculty over 9 years ago and more recently has pioneered the use of ‘clickers' in lectures to enable better engagement.

He redesigned the assessment for Core Biology to include enquiry-based learning; led a team of researchers to address numeracy skills amongst students through a number of externally funded projects, including NuMBerS (Numerical Methods for Biosciences Students), SUMS (Students Upgrading Mathematics Skills), and NumBat (Numeracy Bank). As an e-learning technology ‘champion' he has worked extensively in the Faculty with e-assessment systems, including Questionmark, and also with Turnitin.

Mrs Julia Anne Druce, Pathway Leader/Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education
Julia has consistently provided students with scholarly, personalised, challenging and supportive teaching. This is reflected in Module Evaluation feedback and NSS results, and her remarkable achievement of scoring 100% satisfaction in last year's survey.

A subject specialist in early years' professional practice, Julia delivers modules that not only support and enrich work-based learning but address contemporary sector needs. Feedback from employers and students and the evolving demands of professional regulatory bodies inform the ongoing curriculum development that she leads.

Julia provides excellent formal and informal academic and pastoral support, building the understanding and confidence of her students. Her ‘tea and cake sessions' for students provide a safe learning environment and enable them to develop a strong sense of identity and sense of belonging, that is often difficult to achieve with part-time students.

Dr Julio D'Escriván, Reader, Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
Julio's achievements attest to his energetic and sustained commitment to excellence.

At an individual level, Julio's work with exploring new ways of engaging with his students, through the use of online resources, blogs and mobile technology has put him at the forefront of online learning. His implementation of electronic-assisted learning platforms - and that of many of his colleagues, thanks to his encouragement - exceed our current provision in terms of sophistication and flexibility of student interaction.

What is perhaps most striking is Julio's enthusiasm for constantly reviewing his own approaches in the support of his students. The success of his teaching is recorded in the student responses to Module Evaluation Questionnaires, where he regularly receives some of the highest ratings within the Department.

Dr John Gardner, Principal Lecturer in English Literature, Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
John has been an inspiring presence as a teacher in English Literature since he arrived here in 2004.

He teaches at all levels, from first-year to MA (plus PhD supervision) and has received a constant stream of praise from colleagues and students. He consistently gains excellent scores and comments in student feedback and is known for the passion, enthusiasm, and excellent scholarship which he brings to every class. He is one of the strongest researchers in the Department Of English, Communications, Film and Media (ECFM), and he is able to make that research feed directly into his teaching in ways which students find very engaging.

John has been exemplary in building effective relationships with our regional partners that deliver English modules and pathways.

Ms Paula Sobiechowska, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Social Care
Paula has been at the forefront of a number of learning and teaching innovations during her career here. The success of these earlier initiatives meant that Paula was well-suited to her appointment as the Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching between 2007 and 2011.

Paula brought her expertise as a teacher, with a commitment to best practice and improving the student experience, to the Directorship. Out of an extensive and sustained track record, her achievements include: the successful introduction and promotion of Turnitin; successful and innovative curriculum development; the introduction of creative and far-reaching learning and teaching practices, such as the Patchwork Text. Her most outstanding achievement was her approach to the implementation of the new VLE; under her leadership this transformed the Faculty's engagement with e-learning and technology-enhanced teaching and learning.

Dr Isabel Williams, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Social Care
Isabel works to an extremely high standard and always puts the needs of our students first. She is an extremely reliable, hard working and committed member of our community. Isabel has contributed to meaningful and positive change in pedagogic practice, policy and procedures in many ways.

Some key points highlighting Isabel's excellent work include: leadership of the MA Social Work Pathway in Chelmsford and Cambridge; taking to validation and leading the MSc International Social Welfare and Social Policy Pathway; developing new modules for master's students; and supporting both staff and students undertaking research degrees and mentoring new staff.

Other outstanding areas of her work include her collaborative activity with Universities in India and Nepal, including teaching social work students in the University of Mumbai. She continues to maintain these collaborations and seeks to involve students from the MSc Pathway in international collaborations.

Teaching Fellowships will form the pool of expertise from which we will select our nominations for the HEA National Teaching Fellowship Awards, which open in November.

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