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Double win at student-led teaching awards

Published on 4 May 2023

Dr David Booth and Dr Claire Hepburn were named amongst the winners of the annual Dundee University Student Association (DUSA) student-led teaching awards.

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David was awarded Most Inspirational Teaching while Claire was awarded Best Assessment and Feedback.

Dr Marios Stavridis, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching, said, “My warmest congratulations to Claire and David for their achievements! Their awards are a fantastic recognition of their dedication to their teaching and the care they take of students. The award for “Best Assessment Feedback” recognises the huge efforts Claire has put into improving the feedback for her modules and the example she sets for everyone. David’s recognition for “Most Inspirational Teaching” is showcasing his unique, inspirational teaching style for which he has previously been nominated several times.

I want to take this opportunity to thank them and all the staff involved in teaching and administration of teaching in the School for their dedication and work through another academic year.”

The Most Inspirational Teaching award, that was presented to David, goes to a member of teaching staff who has engaged and inspired the students. This is an individual who is passionate about their subject and that has empowered student(s) to take ownership of their learning by supporting them to maximise their academic potential and love for a subject, pushing them beyond their limits and to excel.

He said on his award win, “Obviously I would like to express my deepest thanks to the students that took the time and effort to put in the nomination, they are the lifeblood of the University.  On lecturing, I think we are here to encourage the internal motivation that hopefully all our students possess on entering higher education. It isn't rocket science, teach in an engaging fashion and assess fairly.

Regression to the mean however is very much a thing, and from the lofty heights of the top the only way regrettably is down. I do note that within our School, I'm joining a select group of folk who all very shortly after receiving this award called time on their instructional career. So I don't think it is too unreasonable to put together my own expirational academic eulogy, if you will permit me.

"He was the black sheep. The permanent pariah. He asked no quarter of the bosses and none was given. He learned no lessons. He acknowledged no mistakes. He was as stubborn a prod as ever stumbled out of the Northeast to take up the chalk. He brooked no authority, he did what he wanted to do and he said what he wanted to say and, in the end, he gave you the numbers. He was natural."

PS No generative AI was used in the production of this statement. I was "inspired" to "plagiarise" from "The Wire". If you actually read or reached the end of this I salute you!”

The Best Assessment and Feedback award, that was presented to Claire, goes to someone who has worked alongside their student(s) to develop their academic performance through written or verbal feedback on their work (assessments/examinations). This individual will be someone who has taken the time to carefully explain how the student(s) can improve their approach to assessments, develop new academic skills and empower them to implement it.

She said in acknowledgement of her award, “I would like to thank the students who nominated me and all the students who I work with more widely. You are a genuine pleasure to work alongside and I would like to thank you for making my job so rewarding! It is really heartening to be nominated for so many awards, so soon after joining the university. You may now have set me a high bar but in the words of a great man (my wee Dad), I’ll put that in my back pocket and say, ‘I did that’!”

See all nominees and winners on the DUSA website.

Story category Awards and accolades