The Student Choice Awards gives students the opportunity to give back by showing their appreciation for outstanding staff members who have made a difference to their time at UCL. Each year, while we celebrate our winners, we also report on the most valued practices in all nine award categories, highlighting the exceptional learning experience at UCL. Themes arising from the research celebrate staff for their excellent support, supervision, and teaching practices.
Across the 9 award categories, these were some of the most valued practices that were highly cited:
- Student-centred teaching.
- Building inclusive learning environments.
- Being responsive, generous, and approachable in demeanour.
- Proactive approaches to student need.
- Commitment to actioning student feedback.
- Demonstrating an authentic dedication to student wellbeing.
- Bringing real-world research into the curriculum.
- Providing high quality, individualised, holistic, student-centred support.
Best Practice per Category
Active Student Partnership
The award for Active Student Partnership recognises staff who are committed to listening to and working with students and their representatives to improve and change education in their module, programme, or department. This category received 105 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Are supportive and responsive approaches to student needs.
- Foster an inclusive and student-centred environment.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
Amazing Support Staff
The award for Amazing Support Staff thanks staff who are not in teaching roles but still make a huge difference to students’ learning at UCL by going the extra mile. This category received 175 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Are approachable and helpful demeanour.
- Lead with empathy and understanding.
- Are proactive and dedicated.
Brilliant Research-Based Education
The award for Brilliant Research-Based Education is for staff who educate students about the latest, cutting-edge knowledge, or who enable taught students to create knowledge by conducting their own research. This category received 57 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Integrate of cutting-edge research.
- Encourage independent research.
- Provide accessible support and guidance.
Diverse & Inclusive Education
The award for Diverse & Inclusive Education highlights staff members who work to ensure their curriculum or research recognises marginalised scholars and shines a light on diverse perspectives. This category received 38 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Incorporates diverse perspectives.
- Are committed to supportive learning environments
- Engage in active advocacy.
Excellent Personal Tutoring
The Excellent Personal Tutoring award recognises members of staff who are always there to provide students with pastoral support and academic guidance. This category received 150 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Are empathetic and understanding in their approaches to student needs
- Provide timely, considered, and individualised feedback
- Who build up confidence in their students.
Exceptional Feedback
The award for Exceptional Feedback is aimed at staff who provide constructive and useful feedback on students’ assessment and learning., helping students to progress and succeed. This category received 77 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Provide high quality, detailed, and constructive feedback
- Deliver timely feedback and responsive support
- Give supportive, encouraging, and constructive criticism
Inspiring Teaching Delivery
The award for Inspiring Teaching Delivery recognises staff members who deliver exceptional teaching using innovative and engaging methods to hold students’ interest and help them learn regardless of the circumstances. This category received 400 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Provide engaging and enthusiastic teaching.
- Are committed to innovative and creative pedagogy.
- Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment
Outstanding Research Supervision
The award for Outstanding Research Supervision recognises staff who help postgraduate research students to succeed, balancing providing support and fostering independence. This category received 110 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Are dedicated to supportive and encouraging mentorship.
- Engage deeply with student work.
- Foster independence in their students.
Sustainable Education
The award for Sustainable Education recognises staff who are leading the way in embedding sustainability into the curriculum and shaping our future climate leaders. This category received 8 nominations.
Nominations favoured staff who:
- Integrate real-world examples into teaching.
- Are engaging and informative.
- Demonstrate personal commitment to advocacy.
Given Students' Union UCL's deep understanding of the most valued practices as identified by students, we are well-positioned to collaborate with the university in sharing best practices and enhancing the overall student experience.
Please see the full report below.