Manchester experts recognised by Advance HE for their teaching excellence
03 Aug 2023
Optometry team awarded our University’s first ever Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) by Advance HE, alongside two academics who have received National Teaching Fellowships in recognition of their own outstanding contributions to teaching
Dr Catherine Porter and her Manchester Royal Eye Hospital colleagues Professor Robert Harper, Mr Patrick Gunn and Professor Cecilia Fenerty have been recognised for their collaborative work, which has had a demonstrable impact on the teaching and learning of Post Graduate Optometry students at our University. Together they run a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma, accredited by the College of Optometrists.
"The University of Manchester and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital have a long and well-established history of collaborative working," said Dr Porter. "We have always been passionate about post graduate education of eye health professionals, to improve patient care and outcomes for all in the Greater Manchester area. Manchester was the first trust in the country to introduce a glaucoma referral refinement scheme, and we are delighted our teaching collaboration has been recognised by Advance HE with Manchester’s first CATE award."
Dr Jen O’Brien and Dr Jennifer Silverthorne are among the new fellows named in the Advance HE National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, which recognises individuals who have made a tremendous impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.
Dr O’Brien is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, as well as the University’s Academic Lead for Sustainability Teaching and Learning. She is an Inaugural Fellow of the Manchester Institute of Teaching and Learning and leads the Informed and Inspired Challenge for Sustainable Futures. She also leads the Creating a Sustainable World course, which is run through the University College for Interdisciplinary Learning (UCIL).
"It is an honour to have my work recognised," said Dr O’Brien. "I owe so much to an incredible team of staff, students and colleagues from communities near and far. Collectively we are doing amazing things in our troubled world - there is a lot more to be done!"
Dr Jennifer Silverthorne is a Reader in Clinical Pharmacy in the Division of Pharmacy and Optometry who leads a team of clinical academics, senior NHS pharmacists and placement tutors providing clinical education. Her commitment to inclusive practice in the classroom, programme design and assessment has changed the University’s approach to Pharmacy teaching and influenced the practice of colleagues. Her reach into the sector through work with professional, statutory and regulatory bodies has transformed Pharmacy education to deliver a highly skilled, reflective and progressive workforce fit for the future.
"To have been one of the university’s National Teaching Fellow nominees this year has been a honour and such a great experience," said Dr Silverthorne. "To have actually then gone on to become a National Teaching Fellow is just wonderful, and is a testament to all the incredibly talented colleagues and students that I’m privileged to work with."
"I’d like to congratulate Catherine, her team, Jen and Jennifer for their well-deserved awards,” said Professor April McMahon, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students. "Being acknowledged in this way is a huge achievement, and it recognises their dedication to teaching, and to our colleagues and students.
"I’d also like to thank them for their overall outstanding contribution to the teaching and learning provision at our University. I am sure they will continue to drive forward even more positive change in the future."
An independent panel of senior higher education leaders, representing the four UK nations, assures the quality of the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme and Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence and recommends winners.
"Every year as we select the NTFS and CATE winners, we are in awe of these extraordinary and gifted people who are teaching with such professionalism, passion and commitment in higher education - this year was no different,” said Professor Becky Huxley-Binns, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Hull, and Chair, UK Teaching Excellence Awards Advisory Panel 2023.
"These awards are incredibly important in recognising and celebrating these people and in sharing 'what works' so that colleagues can build on their expertise too and students can enjoy the benefits of great practice in teaching and learning."
More information:
Picture:
Left: Dr Catherine Porter and her Manchester Royal Eye Hospital colleagues Professor Robert Harper, Mr Patrick Gunn and Professor Cecilia Fenerty
Top right: Dr Jen O’Brien
Bottom right: Dr Jennifer Silverthorne