On Wednesday 4 June, staff members were awarded recognition for their outstanding commitment to education by students at The Student Choice Awards. Here, students shared their appreciation and celebrated staff at UCL who have gone above and beyond.
The Students’ Union UCL received a total of 1,120 nominations, comprising of 556 staff members, from 93 academic and professional services departments. Our latest report shares what students value most across across nine award categories, highlighting the exceptional learning experience at UCL. Read the report here.
Congratulations to everyone shortlisted. Check out the full list of winners below.
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.
Winner: Leanne Taylor
“Leanne listens attentively, acts on feedback, and continuously works to improve the student experience. Leanne has played a key role in ensuring that student voices are heard through surveys and initiatives, often taking on tasks that would have been difficult for students to achieve alone…Through her efforts, she fostered a collaborative environment between students and staff, making meetings and committees more effective and solutions-driven. Her support extended beyond formal discussions, as she continuously followed up and worked to turn conversations into tangible improvements."
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.
Winner: Lynne Chave
“She is unbelievably kind, always available to bounce ideas off or tackle a student issue, and goes far above and beyond what is expected. Whenever I have a problem, she is always my first point of contact, and I will likely not have to go any further as she will likely solve it… I could not ask for a better person to have forged a relationship within my program or a more thoughtful and responsive person to interact with daily. She often works behind the scenes, ensuring that others are the focus of the limelight. My nomination does not do justice to the immense work that Lynne does and for which she should be recognized.”
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.
Winner: Paola Oliveri
“Paola is an inspirational researcher, lecturer and mentor. Outside the lab, she engages with students about science, and inspires them to think. Inside the lab, she is not only doing amazing research herself, she fosters a wonderful collaborative and kind culture within the lab, and conveys what good practices in science are. She mentors students to be able to think critically and supports them to materialize their own ideas. She provides students with great opportunities for scientific communication, and inspires them to engage in discussion about a myriad of scientific discoveries. As a principal investigator, she pushes the boundaries of science, and encourages her students to take joy in doing high quality research, which is not merely about learning to do experiments. She inspires us that science is so much more, and we are so grateful for her support in all aspects of science and life, and for being there each time we wanted a chat.”
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.
Winner: Victoria Showunmi
“Dr Showunmi is not only a brilliant academic and fierce advocate; she is a lifeline. In a system where Black women are too often left unsupported, she has worked relentlessly to create space for us...not just at the table, but in the conversations, the decisions, and the structures that shape our experiences. As IOE’s Vice-Dean for EDI, she has done more than implement policy...she has changed the culture. She has challenged the silences. She has called out the gaps. And she has made it possible for students like me to breathe a little easier, speak a little louder, and believe that we matter here. There’s something profoundly healing about seeing someone who looks like you, who understands the weight you carry, standing tall in a position of power...and using that power to uplift others.”
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.
Winner: Catarina F Correia and Yasmin A Garcia-Sterling
“Dr. Catarina is an exceptional personal tutor who is eager to ensure that the students under her charge are well-supported. Right from the start, Dr. Catarina explained clearly the kind of support she can provide as a personal tutor. She also positioned herself as somebody approachable and helpful…Dr. Catarina's personal tutoring occurs in a safe environment and I feel like I can share my concerns with her.”
“What sets Yasmin apart is the strong foundation of trust and respect she builds with her students. She creates a safe and encouraging environment where we feel comfortable sharing concerns, asking questions, and seeking advice...always met with kindness and sincerity”
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.
Winner: Roganie Govender
“Roganie has helped me improve my academic writing as well as lay writing…Her feedback is always constructive, detailed and timely… Her feedback has helped me develop my communication and facilitation skills so that I am able to undertake these in the future with more confidence… The timeliness has been really important for giving me time to reflect on feedback when submitting further ethics application, which helps to avoid delays in gaining the necessary approvals.”
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.
Winner: Ryan S S Francis
“…students repeatedly praised his enthusiasm, ability to engage everyone, and his willingness to go above and beyond to support our learning. Despite teaching three different classes, Ryan excelled in all of them by creating an inclusive learning environment. One of the most impactful aspects of his teaching was his simple yet highly effective seating arrangement. He made sure every seminar was conducted in a round-circle format so no student was ever left out. This set the tone for open and collaborative discussions. Ryan structured each session with a carefully prepared list of discussion questions, allowing students to select topics they found most interesting.”
Outstanding Research Supervision
The award for Outstanding Research Supervision recognises staff who help postgraduate research students to succeed, balancing providing support and fostering independence.
Winner: Samuel Tang
“Sam has been an outstanding supervisor from the very beginning. He provides the perfect balance of support and independence, never prescriptive but always empowering, ensuring I develop my own academic voice while benefiting from his expertise. Sam embodies everything this award represents. He is an exceptional mentor, unwavering source of support, and truly inspiring academic leader. His impact on my career trajectory has been immeasurable…”
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.
Winner: Andy Markwick
"Andy’s lessons have always been highly engaging, and I’ve learned so much from him. He consistently empathises the importance of incorporating sustainability into education and demonstrates how we can integrate it into our lesson plans. The activities he suggested were incredibly helpful, and I will definitely be incorporating his ideas into my future lessons.”