MAPS Faculty Teaching Awards 2016
30 June 2016
Each year the
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Faculty recognises excellence in
teaching by staff and teaching assistants at all levels within the
faculty through the Faculty Teaching Awards.
We are delighted to announce this year's winners:
- Teaching Staff: Chris Blackman (Chemistry)
- CPD: Luciano Rila (Mathematics)
- Support Staff: Charlotte Pearce (Natural Sciences)
- Postgraduate Teaching Assistant: Matthew Scroggs (Mathematics)
Many congratulations to them on delivering a first-class learning experience for our students.
Chris Blackman is a senior
lecturer within UCL Chemistry. He was instrumental in the re-structuring of the
second year inorganic chemistry module after identifying several areas where it
could be improved.
He says: "This meant implementing significant revisions right across the module, from refining lectures, altering the structure of the exam paper and the way coursework was assessed, to completely rewriting the lab component. A key aspect of these changes was a clear and open dialogue with the students on the aims and intended outcomes of these changes and, crucially, being open to revising ideas to better meet student need and improve student experience. I believe this dialogue was key, as reflected in student comments on the module, and is an element I will take forward into teaching in the future."
Rila is a Mathematics Education Coordinator at UCL Mathematics. He has
been particularly involved in developing the breadth of activity and
impact of Mathematics on the teaching community.
He says: "UCL has become as a hub for maths teachers where
they come to share ideas, learn more maths and explore the wealth of
knowledge that we have at our university. We all play different roles in
maths education so it is vital to have a platform where we can come
together and share our experiences. I'm privileged to have access to so
much expertise and, with the enthusiasm and support of the UCL
community, it is great to be able to invite maths teachers to UCL not
only to learn mathematics but also to explore mathematics in the context
of other areas."
Pearce is the Programme Manager for the Natural Sciences degree. Her
diligence and hard-work has earned her the respect and high regard of a
large cohort of Natural Sciences students.
The Natural Sciences
programme is an intra and inter-disciplinary programme working across
four faculties. Charlotte deals with all aspects of the management of
the programme, she is the first point of contact for students which
gives her role a strong pastoral element.
She says: "I am delighted to win this award. It is a pleasure to work with, and get to know the students on the programme and to work with the wide variety of staff that I come in contact with," she said.
Matthew Scroggs is a PhD student at UCL Mathematics. He also teaches Differential and Integral Calculus to undergraduate students. He has been particularly active in the teaching and teaching-related activity of the department.
He says: "I am thrilled to have won this award; I have been very lucky this year to have such nice students and am grateful for the opportunities that the Department of Maths has bestowed upon me. Also, it's very nice to have won an award without resorting to standing next to chocolate fountains."