INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING AWARDS 2012

Edwyn Anderton

Edwyn is a true product of Sheffield Hallam, having done his original degree, PhD (both in chemistry) and PGCE here. He is now the course leader for the PGCE primary and PGCE early years education courses, as well as teaching science on all primary and early years QTS courses.

Before joining the University in 2000, he spent nine years as a nursery and reception class teacher. At various times he has worked as a pyrotechnician, a scientist for the Ministry of Defence, a professional pianist and a children’s entertainer. He also sings with the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus.

This is his second Inspirational Teaching Award.

‘His lessons are exciting, creative and informative. I look forward to his lessons as I know I am going to learn something useful in a fun way’

Colin Beard

Colin holds a PhD in experiential learning and is a faculty teaching fellow in Sheffield Business School. In 2005, he received a National Teaching Fellowship. Colin advises, designs and facilitates powerful experiential learning for a range of national and international clients, and leading corporate organisations now apply his methods for more effective training and development.

Colin led his own ornithological research expedition to the Amazon rainforest in the 1970s, partly because of a wish for an adventure and partly because of a desire to make up for the lack of fieldwork experienced while doing his degree. He then worked for fifteen years in environmental  charities. He currently manages private woodland for wildlife improvement (as gift work) for a major landowner, in a secret location.

‘He is really passionate about what he does and it makes me as a student want to be like that too’

Osman Beg

Os was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. He graduated from Manchester with a BEng in engineering and a PhD in magneto-gas dynamics. He worked in computational aerodynamics and fire dynamics consultancy from 1996 to 2001.

He then spent five years teaching fire engineering sciences at Leeds Metropolitan and later worked in hypersonic aerodynamics at BAE Systems.

Os has been at Sheffield Hallam for five years. He is the course leader for aerospace engineering courses and also leads biomechanics research in the Mechanical Engineering subject group in the Department of Engineering and Mathematics.

In his spare time, Os can be found looking after his seven cats.

‘He is enthusiastic, encouraging and positive; he brings the best out of students.’

Simon Clark

After graduating from Reading, Simon worked for several years as a product manager. He subsequently took a physics doctorate at Cardiff and a research fellowship at Barcelona University. Simon joined Sheffield Hallam in 1994, teaching on the business and technology and physics courses. He has been course leader for the business and enterprise courses since 2006.

He is committed to novel teaching strategies such as the Venture Matrix. Simon has authored over 60 research articles on subjects ranging from nanotechnology to enterprise education. He has supervised three PhD students and carried out research with companies in Europe and the
far east.

Simon is a town councillor and school governor, though the majority of his free time is spent on the edge of a football field, cheering any one of his three sons on.

‘Simon was the one who swayed me to Sheffield Hallam and my course in particular from his opend day talk. I find his lectures are always interesting and informative, and never boring. You get the feeling he actually wants to be there and it’s not just a job he has to do!’

Claire Craig

Claire is a senior researcher in the Art and Design Research Centre, a senior lecturer in occupational therapy in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing and is currently undertaking a research secondment in learning and teaching.

Claire says of her role at the University, ‘I am so fortunate to be able to work across two faculties and to have the opportunity to embed my research within my teaching. I believe that learning is such a creative process and in combining the two I hope to inspire students and to show that they too can play a role in shaping occupational therapy in the future.’

Last year, Claire was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship and has this year been made a fellow of the College of Occupational Therapists in recognition for her outstanding contribution to the profession. This is Claire’s second Inspirational Teaching Award.

‘She is a shining example to all the students. Her energy and commitment to everything she does is inspirational. My whole year group aspires to be the occupational therapist that she is’

Mark Edwards

Mark is a law graduate of Sheffield Hallam and joined the teaching staff in 2006. He worked in business for 20 years, most recently as an operations director in a Littlewoods Group company, before moving into academia. He has subsequently completed the postgraduate certificate in higher education.

Mark became a fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2010 and currently specialises in company law, criminal law and the law of torts. As a principal lecturer, he leads on markets and recruitment of the Department of Law, Criminology and Community Justice.

His passion for his work is only matched by his love for Sheffield Wednesday, his dog Mac and his family! This is his second Inspirational Teaching Award.

‘An excellent lecturer who is clear and easy to understand when presenting challenging topics. His seminar style prepares you for both the coursework and the exam brilliantly-and you can have a good laugh with him!’

Liz Erett

Liz is first year tutor to about 100 maths students, which she says is hard work, but satisfying to ‘make them into a little maths family’, as one student put in recent feedback. She teaches pure maths including group theory, linear algebra and cryptography.

In 2005, Liz took two years of unpaid leave to go and teach voluntarily in Zambia in a boys’ secondary school in the bush. She is particularly interested in mature students and ethnic minority students, both the challenges they face and the positive impact they have on the other students.

Liz is involved with the maths help drop-in service and the annual Pop Maths Quiz for school students. Outside of work, she enjoys fell running.

‘She is passionate about what she teaches. She also involves other aspects that aren’t required by the course content, but help you further understand and find interest in things’

Jane Foggin

Jane joined Sheffield Hallam in 2004 as a senior lecturer in the social work subject group in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, following 18 years in social care, mainly in the field of mental health. She leads the BA Social Work course.

Jane is passionate about working with learners and enjoys the complex challenges of leading the delivery of a course that combines both academic and professional learning for students.

In her spare time, Jane’s two main hobbies are music and camping. She can be a complete anorak about tents and banjos if allowed to be.

‘She’s always willing to help, seems interested in how students think the course is going and eager to make improvements for the better. She is approachable, down to earth and friendly!’

Douglas Fraser

Douglas is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Development and Society, where he is course leader for undergraduate environmental degrees.

Douglas’s previous roles include working for a National Park Authority, developing and providing environmental education for children and adults. This involved activities suitable for school, university and professional groups, including the EUROPARC-accredited English Language for Professionals and international training courses.

Douglas’s professional interests are: habitat creation and landscape rehabilitation; habitat management; landscape development history; international conservation perspectives; environmental education and interpretation.  He says that lecturing is a healthy mixture of performance and scientific rigour – all the better when mixed with first-hand experiences.

‘Extremely friendly, welcoming and always offers great advice and help. His lectures are always slightly peculiar and he’s always very passionate about the subject he talks about.’

Jane Gurman

Jane has been at Sheffield Hallam for 20 years. She is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing and the course leader for undergraduate biology programmes.

Although favouring molecular genetics, Jane’s research has been varied, from developing vaccines for cholera to analysing rocket fuel for the Indian Space Research Programme. Other subjects have included the sub-cellular localisation of proteins in kiwi fruit; the positioning of atoms in doped superconductors; and mechanisms for encouraging bioscience students to work autonomously.

Outside of work, Jane is a member of the City of Leicester singers, where she relishes being absorbed into a harmonious group.

‘She bring subjects alive, makes them applicable to every day life and makes things memorable’

Paula Hamilton

Paula is a senior lecturer in criminology and criminal justice. She joined Sheffield Hallam in 2004 from Manchester University. Prior to entering academia, Paula worked as a probation officer in Greater Manchester.

Paula is currently completing doctoral research about how those with a previously entrenched criminal lifestyle desist from crime, and the role and impact of rehabilitative efforts in this process. She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Her teaching and research interests include:
gender and crime/criminal justice; penology; criminal justice/penal policy; the use of qualitative methods, particularly narrative enquiry, in criminological research.

‘Paula was my first year criminal justice seminar tutor and I’m now in the third year. Since then, whenever I have seen her, she has encouraged me, and has offered guidance to help me achieve the best possible mark that I can’

Philo Holland 

Philo is a senior lecturer in broadcast journalism. His love affair with radio began as a child, with the illuminated dial on the radiogram inviting him into a world of crackly transmissions from distant lands.

After a stint volunteering on a chat show in Philadelphia, Philo landed his first radio gig with the BBC here in Sheffield. Since then, he’s spent most of his career reporting, presenting and editing at BBC Radio 5 Live. You might remember him as Adrian Chiles’ sidekick on a Saturday morning talk show, or reading the sports for Steve Wright and Johnny Walker on Radio 2.

Philo has been at Sheffield Hallam for four years and absolutely loves it. He says it’s his dream job, ‘sharing my passion with the next generation of radio-heads’. The on-air light outside the Cantor Building radio studio is always on!

This is his second Inspirational Teaching Award.

‘Really supportive, enthusiastic and keen to help you do well and achieve. Even through the highs and lows-he’s always there to give good advice.’

Hazel Horobin

Hazel qualified from the Queen Elizabeth School of Physiotherapy in Birmingham in 1984 and specialised in respiratory physiotherapy early in her career, working in a liver transplant unit in Birmingham.

She spent four years working in community-based medicine in the Amazon region of Brazil where cultural competence and local action were vital ingredients for project success. On returning to the UK, she completed her MSc and became a senior lecturer in physiotherapy at Sheffield Hallam in 2000.

Her current teaching focuses on professional issues at postgraduate level and she is also leading work on internationalising the curriculum for the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. She is currently undertaking doctoral studies into the international student experience of learning in higher education.

‘She was very friendly towards students even outside classrooms. She made international students comfortable by indulging  in all the cultural activities.’

Jon Jeffery

Jon is the module leader for advanced portfolio management, financial risk management and the undergraduate and postgraduate treasury management modules. One of his key roles inside the University is to ensure the finance programme maintains good links with key professional bodies and companies.

He has led a number of employability-focused events, such as the finance careers evening and the Sewell Moorhouse academy. His main focus and enjoyment is teaching and interacting with students.

Outside of the University, Jon is the head examiner for a number of professional bodies and organisations examining treasury and finance. He is also a keen golfer and an avid fan of both football and mixed martial arts.

‘He’s very energetic, very positive and charismatic but at the same time speaks to the point. He is informed about lots of things beyond the classroom and always helps in a very proactive and encouraging way.’

Paul Johnston

Paul joined Sheffield Business School over eight years ago. Prior to this, he spent 20 years in the gambling and electronic games industry. He eventually served on the boards of several companies in competitive strategy, research and product innovation roles.

Paul has recently been involved with a customer-centric services module of the Sheffield City Leadership Programme and a range of large CPD projects, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student tutoring. He is currently working on the final stages of a DBA, looking at practitioner agency and innovative business engagement.

He lives with Sally and their dog and two cats. He has two grownup sons in Plymouth who, he says, are keen on making him a grandfather.

‘He makes seminars fun and engages in meaningful debates and discussions about interesting topics.’

John Joyce

John is professor of accounting education at Sheffield Business School. He works with students at all levels within the University, from new undergraduates through to the supervision of PhDs. Earlier this year, he received the University Teaching Excellence Award for SBS. His major teaching interests are management accounting and professional skills development.

John has published extensively in both professional and referred journals on accounting education. Specific interests include communication apprehension, self-efficacy, financial literacy, and the development of vocational skills.

John has a long history of involvement with the professional bodies. He was awarded the title CIMA Education Advisor by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants for his underpinning research for the Beyond 2000 initiative. He is a former member of the councils of CIMA and the Association of Accounting Technicians.

‘He makes me want to keep on striving to do well and stand out from others in a positive way.’

Stephen Riley 

Steve has been at Sheffield Hallam since 2006 and is course leader for the LLM by research.

He also runs a postgraduate legal skills module. His teaching and research interests lie in the philosophy of law.

‘Steve has been a really engaging tutor within my module, making it more interesting to study. He appears to prioritise both students’ wellbeing as well as students’ understanding of course content and provides detailed and concise lectures.’

David Smith

David joined Sheffield Hallam in 2010 as a lecturer in biochemistry and molecular biology. He obtained his degree in biochemistry from Warwick in 1999 and his PhD for his work on the structural biology of an amyloid protein from Leeds in 2003.

He then undertook postdoctoral research, first at the University of Melbourne investigating the role of metal ions and amyloid-beta in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, and then at Leeds, developing ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry to study proteins.

He has published over 20 papers in these areas and his teaching and research are closely linked, focused on applying biochemistry to the cause of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

‘An excellent and enthusiastic teacher who is always happy to help.’

Gabriel Tang

Gabriel joined the architecture group in the Faculty of Development and Society in summer 2008. After graduating from the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL, he worked for Foster and Partners and was involved in projects such as the Stirling Prize-nominated McLaren Formula One Headquarters. He also worked on the Leslie L Dan Pharmacy Building in Toronto, Canada.

His teaching ideas are based upon his UK student experience and international practice. He believes that the teaching and learning of architecture is most stimulating outside the classroom and textbooks. Gabriel organises architectural field trips and construction workshops for his students.

‘Inspirational, always there for you, always motivating and positive. Makes you smile by seeing his enthusiasm even when you are shattered and overworked. A genuinely nice person who is also very good at his job, both as a tutor and a lecturer.’

 James Turner

James joined Sheffield Hallam in 2004 after nearly 20 years working in mental health. He is a principal lecturer and professional lead for end of life and supportive care in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. He is the course leader on an MSc programme and also teaches at undergraduate level.

James is particularly interested in teaching and researching therapeutic interventions as applied to mental health. He is clinically active as a cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) practitioner, alongside having training and experience in other interpersonal therapies including humanistic counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, group analysis and interactional dynamic psychotherapy.

‘Creative lecturing. He thinks outside the box and is willing to make the learning experience extra special. He has a real desire for charity work and getting us all involved’

Tim Williams 

Tim is an experienced marketing professional who joined Sheffield Hallam after a successful career in the food and drinks industry. After time spent at Pfizer and the Co-op, he moved back to Sheffield to head up a regional agency before going back to the client side of marketing at Whitbread and then at a national food wholesaler.

Tim draws on his experience to bring knowledge, passion and a practical context to his teaching. He builds strong relationships with employers and students to maximise employment opportunities at placement and graduate levels and is keen to drive the employability focus of both staff and students.

He is currently placement officer for the specialist marketing degrees and acting head of placements for Sheffield Business School.

‘He is supportive and excited about what he teaches and is enthusiastic and genuinely pleased for you when things go well. He is the member of staff that I would speak to if I have a problem or some good news.’

__________________________________________________________________

INSPIRATIONAL RESEARCH SUPERVISOR AWARDS 2012

Luke Beardon

Luke has been working in the fields of autism and Asperger’s syndrome for several years in various capacities including practitioner, researcher and trainer.

As a senior lecturer in autism at Sheffield Hallam, Luke runs courses in autism at different academic levels, including a masters and a postgraduate certificate in Asperger’s syndrome. He continues to research and consult in the field of autism. He supervises students at doctoral level, and in 2011 he received an Inspirational Teaching Award.

Luke’s passions include his family, playing rugby for Hope Valley RUFC and cooking. He continues with his uphill battle to get fit and is an enthusiastic but very amateur fell runner and cyclist, both on- and off-road.

‘His thoughtful advice and guidance throughout the process of preparing my doctoral thesis has been of inestimable value. Although appreciative of the contribution of my second supervisor, I would not want anyone else but Luke as my director of studies. That is how inspirational he is’ 

Jenny Blain

Jenny joined Sheffield Hallam in 2000 after teaching in Canada. She is a senior lecturer in sociology and runs the MRes Social Sciences. Her key objective is to inspire students to develop their ideas and techniques and to go on to do their own research, to develop new knowledge that is ethical, methodologically sound and useful in helping people understand the social world.

Much of Jenny’s own research focuses on the question of identities and how each of us creates or performs identity through what we do and our relationships with other people. She has authored or co-authored a number of books.

‘Jenny is amazing researcher in her own field and inspires other people to do their best in their research. Jenny always comes up with interesting ideas and asks for the best quality in the results. Not only is she very inspiring as a supervisor, but also as a teacher.’

Murray Clark

Murray is a principal lecturer in organisation theory and research methodology and the leader of the DBA programme at Sheffield Business School.

Prior to his academic career, after completing a PhD in organisational behaviour at Manchester Business School, he was a manager for British Coal and is a qualified mining engineer.

Murray has co-edited, co-authored or contributed to a number of books. His research interests and other publications have centred mainly on the areas of trust and leadership.

‘Murray has a wealth of experience that he shares in a stimulating way that enables me to learn and develop. He is truly interested in the research and understands the complexities of adults learning. He is an excellent supervisor- this is demonstrated by his patience, encouragement and his true understanding of the student experience while undertaking part-time study.’

Sharon Kivland

Sharon has been reader in fine art at Sheffield Hallam since 2001. She penned the series Freud on Holiday, as well as L’esprit d’escalier and An Agent of the Estate. She co-wrote Freud and the Gift of Flowers and has commenced a series of modest pamphlets recounting the incidence of trains, stations, and related railway matters in the Freudian canon, entitled Reisen.

She has described her practice as one of stupid refinement, trapped in archives, libraries, the arcades, and the intersection of public political action and private subjectivity.

Sharon has exhibited at the Freud Museum in London and currently has a show in Brest, France, which will tour to Germany in 2013–14. She is also tutor in critical practice at Wimbledon College of Art, London.

‘She always goes the extra mile to support me, emotionally as well as academically, recognising my circumstances as a mature student and encouraging me to move forward, keep focused and remain positive when the going gets tough. Her commitment to my research is outstanding, and I feel fortunate and privileged to count her as a supervisor and friend.’

Merv Lewis

Merv is a principal lecturer in history in the Faculty of Development and Society. He is the author or co-author of a number of works on the cotton industry, the evolution of corporate governance and Sheffield.

‘Under Merv’s unswerving encouragement to pursue academic rigour I can feel my brain flexing and expanding, and see the material coming together as it should.’

__________________________________________________________________

OUTSTANDING STUDENT SUPPORT AWARDS 2012

Andrew has worked in the international student support team at Sheffield Hallam since January 2008, co-ordinating the arrival and integration of all the University’s international students. He has worked on developing various integration projects including the Local Friends project, Conversation Club and bringing together British and international students as part of their course.

Andrew has also worked for Common Purpose, Wakefield District Council and Business Link West Yorkshire, mainly in events planning and marketing. He graduated from Liverpool with a degree in politics.

His spare time is split almost equally between supporting Everton and entertaining his five-year-old daughter.

‘Andrew is a helpful and approachable person, he would do his best in solving any problem or question that I’ve encountered’

Lee Felvus

 

 

‘Lee is always supportive of students who need it. Whether it be by email, telephone or approaching him in social areas of uni, he has always been happy to help where he can.’

 

 

 

Laura McLaughlin

Laura has been a photography technician at Sheffield Hallam for four years, after moving from the same position at the University of Bolton. During her time at Hallam, Laura has bought a house, got married and had a baby. She says her job has been her one constant throughout these very exciting personal times.

Laura enjoys her 9 to 5, working with creative people and being challenged to help them see their projects develop from ideas to finished items. Being part of a team that works first hand with the students allows her the time to get to know them individually from various departments, not just photography.

‘Laura was the only reason I did as well as I did in my final project. She has helped all of the students throughout the course.’

Jo Pepper

Jo graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2000. The following year, she crossed the city and joined Sheffield Hallam, where she has since worked in a variety of student-facing roles and departments.

Since July 2008, Jo has found herself at home in the role of student support officer, based in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. Her job gives her a great sense of satisfaction as she provides students with the guidance and pastoral support they need during their time here.

Jo says the memory of how lost and vulnerable you can feel when you start university is what drives
her to ensure that she provides students with the best experience she can.

‘She is very supportive and exudes confidence and calm. She makes you feel like your problems are not the end of the world and shows you how to get through them.’

Claire grew up in Sheffield and started her first job as a clerical officer for community physiotherapy in June 1989, aged 17. She joined Sheffield Hallam in 1999, working in postgraduate student support for the business school and then for the Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences in 2005.

She says she has always found Sheffield Hallam a friendly place to work and enjoys working with and supporting students. Sheffield Hallam is a place she feels supported and appreciated.

Claire’s outside interests include playing computer games, going to the cinema, walking and listening to music. This is her second
award for outstanding student support.

‘Claire is great- if I have any questions related to the course administration, I can email her and she will reply within an hour and is so very helpful’