Success for School in Times Higher Education Awards Shortlisting

David Martin for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year; Bill Hunter for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year; and the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) for Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year.

Professor Inke Näthke, Interim Dean of School said, “I am thrilled about this news. Having such public recognition for some of the outstanding people in our school is absolutely wonderful and extremely well deserved. It also is a credit to the colleagues who helped prepare and coordinate these nominations.  I am immensely proud of our community and how they are working together to ensure our continued success. These achievements are a reward for all of us.”

David Martin for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year

David Martin is a senior lecturer within the D’Arcy Thompson Unit. He is passionate about teaching and using imaginative ways to encourage all students to learn to the best of their ability. David continually works on enhancing the learning experience for all students and this is evident through all of David’s teaching activities. David takes a genuine interest in his students and he is regularly nominated by his students for the Student Association (student-led) teaching awards, which indicates the high esteem in which they hold him.

Bill Hunter for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year

Bill Hunter is a highly experienced and well-regarded supervisor. His students have come from many different countries, with first degrees in an array of subjects, and have gone on to diverse careers. His rounded and supportive approach boosts students’ confidence, raises their self-awareness and helps them to identify their true interests. He takes great care in creating a positive research culture within his group, which is clearly valued by all.

Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) for Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year

The DSTT was established in 1998 as a unique scientific collaboration between academia and industry. Their primary purpose is to conduct pre-competitive research and to encourage development of new drug treatments for global diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Parkinson’s Disease. In 2018/19, the recently established MRC PPU Reagents and Services developed a partnership with a Scottish farm to develop a rapid antibody service using sheep. These two elements permitted a swift response to the Covid-19 pandemic producing vital research tools available for the scientific community at the earliest stages.

Further shortlistings for the University

The University has been recognised in two other categories, Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team of the Year and the Datapoints Award, which we won in 2018. The datapoints award looks at how research performance matched outcomes in global reputation surveys.

Professor David Maguire, Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said, “To be nominated in so many categories is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of staff across the University. We look forward to the awards ceremony in November and hope to be celebrating further when the winners are announced.”

The THE Awards are widely known as the "Oscars of higher education" and will take place online on November 26.

Full shortlist: https://the-awards.co.uk/2020/en/page/shortlist