Annual Learning and Teaching Awards 2007

Outstanding Teaching Award

Joint Winners: Manuel Palazuelos-Martinez, London School of Economics and Robert Hoffmann (pictured), University of Nottingham

Manuel was a teaching assistant at the LSE and has received the department teaching prize in economics for four consecutive years. He consistently gets excellent marks for all his teaching. The classes he teaches have previously had poor marks and he has helped to transform them not only with his own teaching but with his support for other teaching assistants on the same course. Robert is an Associate Professor in Industrial Economics and this award refers to his MBA modules. The MBA students tend to be a notoriously challenging group but Rob manages to consistently get the highest level of feedback of any member of staff in the school. He has managed to bring alive his teaching through his use of experimental economics. He has outstanding communication and meticulous organisational skills, and is very supportive of other members of staff in their teaching.

eLearning Award

Joint Winners: Paul Latreille (pictured on the right), Swansea University and Philip Wane (pictured on the left), Nottingham Trent University.

Paul was nominated for his excellent communication skills: students consistently describe his lectures and classes as easy to understand, enjoyable and inspiring. In particular, he applies contemporary teaching techniques in his classes (including videos, case studies, small group exercises, his blog and podcasts) and always makes himself available to students. Philip's modules reflect his interests in technological and social development, covering for example e-commerce (using eBay as a case study), the digital divide, the online music industry and computer mediated communication. He does this in keeping with the content of the module using a range of web-based multimedia and delivering virtual lectures for many sessions in the second term. Student feedback is consistently positive and enthusiastic.

Student-nominated Award

Winner: Duncan Watson, Swansea University
Commendations: Wyn Morgan (pictured right), University of Nottingham and Osman Ouattara, Swansea University

Duncan applies economic theory to topics that are not traditionally analysed in economics courses, such as drugs and crime. This makes his modules particularly popular with students. He uses personal stories, humour and technology to keep students engaged. His enthusiasm was highly praised. Wyn has been commended on several counts for his enthusiastic and inspired teaching and for building good relations with his students from their first year through to their third year. He has also been commended for the supporting and mentoring role he plays for other members of staff in the Department. Osman teaches mathematical and development economics. His teaching has been characterised by his students as articulate, funny and interesting and what's more, he has achieved the remarkable feat of making students enjoy their maths lessons.

At the DEE Conference dinner at Peterhouse College, Cambridge, a special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Sloman, Director of the Economics Network, recognising him as an "Outstanding Teacher and Ambassador of Economics". This was not one of the Economics Network's awards but was jointly sponsored by the Government Economic Service, the Scottish Economic Society and the Higher Education Academy.

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