Teaching and Learning Awards 2024 winners

Liverpool Business School, Faculty of Business and Law.

Katie Neary joined LJMU’s Liverpool Business School in 2022.  The positive impact of Katie’s innovative teaching and learning approaches, coupled with her unwavering dedication to student success, is reflected in exceptional levels of engagement and extraordinary student feedback. In addition, Katie’s ability to source and nurture important relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including LCR Freeport), helps provide important context for our students and opens doors to exciting future employment prospects. Introduction of original and innovative assessments and experiential learning have enhanced inclusivity, student confidence and holistic skill development. Her scholarly activity and impact to date are diverse, reflecting her commitment to stakeholder impact. The significant impact Katie has already made to the learning experience of large cohorts of Liverpool Business School (LBS) students clearly illustrates strong potential for academic leadership in the future.

Katherine's staff profile

School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science

Andy has worked tirelessly to implement his values of authenticity and professionalism in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences.  He has overhauled numeracy teaching, using his professional experience to move from a ‘learning by rote’ exercise to an authentic competency-based assessment. As Pharmacy Skills Assessment lead, he has updated the preparation and running of this practical assessment, taking the first-time pass rate from where it was to a healthier 60-70% in 2023/24.

Andy has also been a professional role model to the final year students as their year lead, instilling professional behaviours and receiving a standing ovation at the annual pharmacy ball for his efforts! Through all of this is Andy’s dedication to authenticity and equity, which is born out in his externally funded research, exploring how we can write assessment questions in the clearest and most fair way possible.

Andrew's staff profile

School of Public and Allied Health, Faculty of Health

Since joining LJMU in 2022, Jen has been instrumental in creating new and innovative learning opportunities for the paramedic students, enhancing their learning with large-scale simulation events and international experiences. These experiences allow students not only to expand their knowledge and expertise, but also to develop their professional skills and outlook. However, it is not just LJMU students that have benefited from Jen’s work – her focus on multidisciplinary working sees benefits to other agencies and as a result the wider public as well, both here in the UK and internationally.

Jen's staff profile

School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science

Alex Wilshaw is Senior Lecturer in Evolutionary Anthropology and Programme Leader for the BSc in Forensic Anthropology, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Alex’s underpinning strength as a teacher lies in his ability to see the complexity of each student’s needs and provide individualised support using innovative (digital and traditional), inclusive, and accessible approaches that engage and challenge students. This is reflected in his consistently high levels of student satisfaction. Alex is highly collegial and equally supportive of colleagues’ development, and generous with his time and expertise across the institution and beyond. Using his knowledge of data analysis techniques, he works collaboratively with the Teaching and Learning Academy and is instrumental in developing best practice for institutional data evaluation (APP) and HE research, particularly focussing on data from under-represented groups. In addition, Alex leads much-needed capacity building workshops in statistics at an international level for the archaeology and anthropology research community.

Alex's staff profile

Liverpool Screen School, Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies

Lydia Papadimitriou is Reader in Film Studies at LJMU. Lydia’s nomination for a Teaching Excellence Award is based on her innovative contributions to UG and PGT Film programmes, especially for her work with European University Film Awards (EUFA), and as creator and director of the LJMU MA Short Film Festival, an international film festival organised by the MA Film students.

LJMU is the only UK University to participate in the highly prestigious EUFA which enables students to travel to Hamburg to take part in a pan-European student jury. Even more impressively, since 2021 Lydia has embedded professional experience in programming, curating, marketing, and hosting live events into the curriculum, through the organisation of a student-led international film festival.  Working for the festival provides students with invaluable industry-level experience, and the ability to develop a range of both discipline-specific and transferable skills that greatly enhance their employability, while also raising the profile of the programme both nationally and internationally.

Lydia's staff profile

School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Layth has made invaluable contributions to the Construction Management programme over the past two years, exhibiting outstanding proficiency in advancing digital education. Through skilled utilisation of cutting-edge technologies such as 3D laser scanning and robotics, he has revolutionised problem-solving methodologies within regional businesses, fostering heightened levels of efficiency and sustainability. His commitment to academic excellence is evident in seamlessly integrating digital tools into research and teaching, preparing students for professional success. Moreover, he ensures the accessibility of educational resources and actively collaborates with the Liverpool City Council on initiatives aimed at preserving historical sites and promoting sustainable development. One of his most notable achievements includes the creation of a captivating 3D campus model, which has been prominently featured at national events, serving as a testament to the transformative impact of digital education. As such, he is truly deserving academic recognition, having significantly influenced the convergence of technology, education, and community engagement.

Layth's staff profile

School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Nick Bryan is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences (PBS) and is currently working on a pedagogic research programme which explores the use of digital teaching in histopathology. This branch of Biomedical Science presents several unique hurdles, due to practical challenges around teaching large laboratory sessions. In addition, the perception of histology is as a classical and potentially outdated field, being widely regarded as one of the more difficult areas to engage students in during their Biomedical education.

Via a diverse range of digital learning technologies, which include innovate uses of Canvas, virtual microscopy, and 3D digital dissection, Nick’s objective is to increase learner engagement and performance in this discipline, whilst also providing a means to support student consolidation outside of the laboratory. These approaches have been embraced by students, evidenced by improved performance and high-quality feedback throughout the module and entire level which he leads.

Nick's staff profile

School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science

Emma Ball is a Senior Lecturer and the Programme Leader of BSc (Hons) Physical Education since 2014. She successfully led the integration of the programme into the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and has played a fundamental role in the leadership of learning and teaching.  Her influence extends beyond the School through the adoption by multiple disciplines of the peer mentoring scheme that Emma developed with colleagues. Emma effectively led on several revalidation events and substantially contributed to the teaching portfolio in the School as well as the research agenda. Emma has shared good practice at the Student Experience Working Group and Faculty Education Committee and hosted a School peer review event. She is module leader for two core modules and makes a taught contribution to an additional four from Levels 4 to 6. She is personal tutor at all levels and dissertation supervisor. Emma’s strong academic leadership is clear in the positive outcomes relating to recruitment, retention and student satisfaction on the programme. These broad outcomes come from her close attention to detail and a great concern for the individual student. Emma has been described by a colleague as “Wonder woman, just without the sword and shield”.

Emma's staff profile

Liverpool Business School, Faculty of Business and Law

Maureen's strong leadership and innovative mind-set enabled her to navigate major shifts in education pedagogy and practice keeping her faculty at the forefront of professional skills development and digital developments. She has a proven record of anticipating trends and driving transformative change through inclusive peer on peer approaches, celebrating the creativity of academic and professional class in enhancing teaching practice. Working with professional bodies and industry practitioners, Maureen initiated professional practice skills in the classroom within the HRM programme which were later used as good practice examples and used as part of the peer-to-peer staff development sessions she has led since 2018. CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) recognised her work by awarding her their highest award. Maureen has been elected to the status of Companion of CIPD for her work with branch, regional and national networks and advocacy of professional practice in academic programmes.

Maureen's staff profile

Liverpool Business School, Faculty of Business and Law

Pete Thomas is the programme leader for Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool School of Art. A designer, researcher and artist, his work is characterised by insight, clarity, and simplicity. He has exhibited and presented in institutions around the world including The Barbican, The Design Museum, The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, SXSW, La Triennale di Milano, Ventura Lambrate and The Victoria and Albert Museum.

He has taught in arts institutions across the UK and has served on the board of Craft Scotland and Creative Dundee. His recent projects have invited people to share their thoughts, feelings and hopes for the future and he believes passionately in the value of creativity as an agent for positive change.

His academic leadership is typified by compassion and empathy with dedication to championing inclusivity, as evidenced through his work in creating a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ staff and students.

Pete embodies the LJMU value of putting students at the heart. The curriculum redesign that he has led on positions students as agents of change, with the appetite to have local, national and international impact in areas that are of vital importance to our futures. In addition, he has empowered colleagues to feel confident as researchers and as practitioners. Pete leads with empathy, humour and a passion for his subject.

Peter's staff profile

School of Public and Allied Health, Faculty of Health

Clare has led several initiatives across LJMU in relation to supporting breastfeeding and promoting awareness of the barriers to it. With colleagues from HR, Clare has set up six breastfeeding/expressing rooms across LJMU for staff and students returning from maternity leave. Clare led the Liverpool BAMBIS Mayoral Award application which LJMU received in 2022. Clare was also shortlisted for a National PENNA award for her application ‘Making LJMU a Breastfeeding Friendly University’. Clare is the lead for the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) at LJMU, with the midwifery programme one of only 6 universities in the UK to achieve Gold accreditation. Clare leads cross School and Faculty teaching around breastfeeding and has collaborated and published internationally around the subject. Clare has also developed and collaborated on community and international initiatives to increase student midwife exposure to global maternity care and to decolonise the midwifery curriculum.

Clare's staff profile

School of Public and Allied Health, Faculty of Health

Sarah Dalrymple and Timothy Lane are from the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences and have examined the experiences of students during fieldwork. Society has been slowly breaking down barriers to educational engagement, but the taboo of menstruation still prevents open dialogue to ensure that all students and staff are provided with safe and healthy working conditions. This presents a particular problem for fieldwork where toilet provision is logistically difficult and a culture of ‘getting on with it’ has often meant that people with adverse menstrual symptoms could not participate fully. Sarah and Tim have made substantive contributions to addressing this taboo, both within LJMU but also globally. Based on these contributions they intend to address the knowledge gap around menstruation and related conditions, and whether they prevent engagement in field-based studies.

Sarah's staff profile

School of Justice Studies, Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies

Helena Gosling is a Reader in Criminal Justice and Social Policy and member of the Centre for the Study of Crime, Criminalisation and Social Exclusion (CCSE) at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). She has worked at LJMU for more than ten years during which she has occupied a variety of teaching roles and research responsibilities across both Criminology and Criminal Justice programmes. Helena is based in the School of Justice Studies and her work is situated in the Creative Justice learning stream. At the heart of her research and pedagogical practice is a belief that pushing at the boundaries of criminal justice can lead to greater empowerment for those who encounter the Criminal Justice System.  Helena has led educational initiatives, public engagement events and research which challenge the misconceptions that surround justice-affected communities and enhances insight into the university experience of justice involved students.  This work is having an impact at a local and national level to dismantle barriers that prevent marginalised groups of students from fulfilling their potential.

Helena's staff profile