Three members of staff are to receive awards at the graduation ceremonies this July in recognition of their excellent contribution to teaching and learning. The winners were announced at the Teaching and Learning Conference on Tuesday (2 June).
Fiona Courage
Special Collections Manager in the Library, Fiona Courage, is commended for her extensive background knowledge, innovative use of resources, thorough reflection on feedback and enthusiasm for her area.
Drawing on her extensive knowledge of the University's archival collections, Fiona aims to inspire students to look further than the books on their reading lists and seek their own unique conclusions by using primary source material.
She works closely with tutors, encouraging them to use the collections to provide the basis for developing innovative courses that offer students unique opportunities to access materials unavailable anywhere else.
Kitty Inglis, Librarian, said: "Drawing on her own extensive knowledge of what is contained in the collections, Fiona works closely with academics and others providing them with flexible options and innovative and stimulating models of engaging with our Special Collections as part of their teaching."
By developing a network of colleagues in similar roles in other institutions, Fiona is able to share and review her methods, enhancing the feedback collected after each session from students and tutors. She is now looking to study for a PG Certificate in Education, in order to develop her skills further and gain a greater understanding of the requirements of academic colleagues.
Sarah King
Dr Sarah King, a lecturer in the Psychology department, keeps her teaching interesting by successfully integrating current neuroscience research with text book facts. She also supports fellow faculty by participating in annual peer review and is an "excellent" mentor to associate tutors.
Following a successful joint proposal with historian Dr Lucy Robinson, after the Research Christmas Stocking event (2008), Sarah has been researching war-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) across disciplines, and is currently exploring ways to develop interdisciplinary teaching. This commitment to interdisciplinary work was singled out for praise by the awarding panel.
Sarah is commended for using her independent research as a teaching tool and recognising and addressing diversity among her students. Her main objective is to make scientific knowledge and research accessible and interesting to all, trying to lose the 'teaching to the test' spoon-feeding mentality. She is particularly passionate about developing innovative teaching methods, and has recently created a new online assessment.
She is committed to postgraduate teaching, supervising two PhD students and a masters student.
Mike Titheradge
Dr Mike Titheradge is currently Deputy Head of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science at Sussex and has played a key role in developing the proposed new Biomedical Science degree.
He was nominated for his award for his planning and expertise, and for his constant re-assessment of teaching methods and content to account for ever-changing student needs.
For example, short video clips are now included in lectures and, this year, mobile and online quizzes were introduced to help students gauge their progress and understanding.
Mike has very clear aims: to be an effective and motivating teacher and to respond to student needs as quickly as possible by operating an 'open door' policy.
Dr Simon Morley, nominating, said: "Mike has made an outstanding impact on the student learning experience, providing excellent teaching throughout the Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine degree programmes."
"His advice is actively sought in all matters relating to teaching and course planning."
Mike is commended for his "huge and sustained commitment" to his students and colleagues, acting as a mentor for new faculty. He also acts as a peer observer at Sussex and BSMS (Brighton and Sussex Medical School) - an experience that provides him with examples of good and bad practice to improve his own teaching and that of his colleagues.