Nearly 200 people filled the Wills Memorial Building Great Hall last week, where they heard dozens of touching extracts from some of the 1,069 nominations, most of which were made by students.
One student said their tutor made them feel “valued, heard and understood” and another praised their lecturer’s “passionate and enthusiastic teaching”.
Melanie Pottle Iddon, PhD Candidate researching Confidentiality in Genetic Medicine and Graduate Teacher Level 2, was the winner in the category ‘Inspiring and Innovative Teaching Award – PGRs who teach’.
Melanie said: “I love teaching medical law so being nominated for an award was amazing. Being shortlisted and then winning the award felt rather overwhelming to be honest. An event that celebrates teaching and student support is wonderful, and it was lovely to meet so many people from across the University.”
Find out more about Melanie’s nomination and comments from students.
The Law School’s Katherine Wade, Liam Davis, Emma Hitchings, Gemma Short and Peter Dunne were shortlisted for the 'Inspiring and Innovative Team’ Teaching Award. The team has done remarkable work as the 'Family Law 2: Child Law' team.
Find out more about the team’s nomination and comments from students.
Professor Tansy Jessop, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, thanked staff and highlighted that students were increasingly co-creating the University curriculum.
And that co-creation was on show at the Awards, with the event a collaboration between the Bristol Institute for Learning and Teaching (BILT) and Bristol SU.
Students announced many of the award winners and there were performances from the salsa, pantomime and music societies. The University’s knitting society created colourful, woollen flowers for the tables.
The masters of ceremonies were Bristol SU’s Undergraduate Education Officer Nicole Antoine and Union Affairs Officer Adam Michael. Nicole praised staff for their “impact on the university community”.
Thanking all Bristol staff, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Prof Judith Squires said that the Bristol Teaching Awards “just go from strength to strength”, adding:
“Every year we’re able to celebrate such talent amongst our organisation and there are always innovations – we’ve never had knitted flowers, salsa and pantomime before!
“A huge congratulations. It is wonderful to be recognised by your colleagues and your students as you go above and beyond to do something that is exceptional. Everyone has done amazingly just to be nominated.”
As well as teachers, the 19 awards celebrated personal tutors, research supervisors, support teams and more.
Winners received a framed certificate and seeds from a wildflower meadow planted in their honour in Royal Fort Gardens.