National Teaching Fellowship Success
29 June 2010
The University will be taking part in some ground breaking and innovative research aimed at improving the student experience, following two prestigious National Teaching Fellowship awards from the Higher Education Academy.
The National Teaching Fellowship project award will be conducting essential research into an area neglected by UK research but identified by the USA as the ‘sophomore slump’, the notable second year undergraduate performance dip.
One of the Fellowships was to a team, led by National Teaching Fellow and LJMU Professor Sue Thompson. The team: Professor Sue Thompson, Dr.Clare Milsom, Dr Martyn Stewart, Dr Elena Zaitseva, Dr.Wayne Turnbull and Professor Mantz Yorke, will use the £200K awarded to investigate potential causes of this slump, and the targeted approach to research will have many long term benefits for the student experience. It will offer evidence-based strategies, drawn directly from student involvement, that can be used by course leaders to enhance the student learning experience and prevent the onset of a performance dip at the mid stage of their degree. The research will provide a tried and tested methodology for analysing institutional data which can be used across the sector.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic/Enhancement) Professor Diana Burton said: “This is a very worthwhile project from which we can learn important information about second year students and how to enhance their university experience whilst retaining and supporting them. I would like to congratulate the team on achieving national recognition and further securing the university’s status as a sector leading institute for Learning, teaching and assessment issues.”
Dr David McIlroy, Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader for Psychology, was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for his impact on the student learning experience. The £10,000 awarded will go towards the development of the University’s student-centered activities.
This will include building on his research on Personality and Emotional Intelligence. This work has already been used as part of our World of Work (WoW®) scheme, which is designed to give students the skills and experience they’ll need to succeed in the competitive graduate jobs market.
David’s input to this work-based learning programme has already made a significant impact on student self-awareness, motivation, goal setting and personal growth. This is just one example of his ability to transform challenging concepts into useful practical solutions that impact positively on student learning and engagement.
David said: “I am delighted to receive this award which will enable me to continue research on improving the student experience as part of the WoW programme. This will involve further focus on diverse topics relevant to student work-related learning, from emotional intelligence to test anxiety and the use of technology and alumni, particularly in tracking and showcasing the career paths of graduates. We will also invest in our e-resources. Overall the award will help to build on the high quality service we can offer students.”
David’s impact on the student experience has been recognised with numerous curriculum design awards. He has led projects on Emotional Intelligence, Personal Development Planning, Employability, Enterprise and Computer Anxiety. His books on Exam Success and Studying at University have reached a wide audience in the UK and overseas.
The awards will be presented to individual Fellows at a celebration event in London on Wednesday 29 September 2010.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Brown said: “We are delighted that Professor Sue Thompson and the team and Dr David McIlroy have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships. They are a true inspiration to students and to peers. With a national reputation for research and impact on the student learning experience, this commands huge respect from students, peers and external agencies. The University is extremely proud of what they have achieved.”
