- Aston School of Pharmacy’s Professional Experience Implementation Group (PEIG) won a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE)
- Dr Robert Nash from the School of Psychology and Professor Goudarz Poursharif from Aston Professional have been named as National Teaching Fellows (NTF)
- Aston University was one of only 10 universities in the UK to receive both CATE and NTF recognition from Advance HE in 2024.
Aston University has been awarded three 2024 teaching excellence awards by higher education charity Advance HE.
The awards celebrate the impact of teaching in the UK higher education sector by recognising and celebrating teaching excellence on an individual, team and institutional basis.
The Professional Experience Implementation Group (PEIG) in Aston University’s School of Pharmacy won a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE), while Professor Goudarz Poursharif, founding director of Aston Professional and deputy dean for education of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Dr Robert Nash, reader in the School of Psychology, have been named as National Teaching Fellows (NTF).
Aston University was one of only 10 universities in the UK to receive both CATE and NTF recognition in 2024.
A CATE recognises and rewards collaborative work that has had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning and highlights the key role of teamwork in UK higher education.
PEIG’s submission was led by Natalie Lewis, associate head of school (operations). The PEIG team members Michelle Elston, Gagandeep Degun, Debbie Kemp, Olivia Mina, Rebecca Teece (Boots the Chemist), Hayley Smith, Anna Durkin, Emma Smith, Ramandeep Sandhu (South Doc Services) and Ben Willets were named in the award as well as external partner Will Pamment from AI simulation software company SimConverse.
The team has expanded placements by 700% for students across pharmacy disciplines. Placements are supported with simulations, medicines information training and campus-based student-led clinics.
The team introduced SimConverse AI simulation software to quality assure training for pharmacy placements, helping to overcome some of the barriers to NHS placement delivery. PEIG’s academics, technical team members, sector leads and SimConverse came together with community pharmacies, GP practices and NHS trusts to develop realistic simulations and training programmes.
Ms Lewis said:
“The CATE award is testament to the collaboration, innovation and hard work of all those involved; within the PEIG team, the wider university and our partners. I am immensely proud of what we have been able to achieve and what this award represents. We look forwards to further sharing our approach with other institutions and welcoming new partners through the endorsement of this award.”
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in UK higher education.
Newly named NTF Professor Poursharif has embedded practice-based education for sustainable development into teaching programmes, and developed innovative degree apprenticeship and work-based learning programmes that bridge the gap between academia and industry.
He says:
“Winning the NTF provides me with a unique opportunity to leverage my achievement for the benefit of Aston University, by continuing to enhance teaching and learning practices, sharing best practices in teaching and learning from the sector through the NTF network, and promoting Aston University’s reputation in learning and teaching excellence.”
Dr Robert Nash, meanwhile, researches human memory, cognition and social influence, with a particular interest in legal and educational psychology. He has successfully combined his research expertise with his approach to learning, teaching and assessment. His work in assessment and feedback literacy has proven extremely valuable for his students and influential at Aston University as a whole.
Professor Osama Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Aston University, said:
“I am very pleased that the outstanding impact of the work of our teaching staff has been recognised by Advance HE. I extend my sincere congratulations to the PEIG team, Goudarz and Robert. In the Aston University 2030 strategy, we set out our plans to ensure that our students are ready for work and life and excellence in teaching and learning is vital to achieve this.”
Aston University has previously been recognised for the quality of its teaching, including being awarded the prestigious ‘triple gold’, the highest possible rating, in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) ratings in September 2023.
Alison Johns, Advance HE Chief Executive, said:
“We know that higher education has the power to transform lives but this doesn’t happen by default. Outstanding teaching is the result of knowledge, commitment, passion, energy and creativity. All of these 2024 winners demonstrate these attributes and put them into practice with excellent results.
“It is vital for student success that we invest in higher education teaching and promote the value of excellence.
“Congratulations to each and every one of you for this prestigious prize.”
- Notes to editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming the Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
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