University of Surrey celebrates success at the National Teaching Fellowship Awards

At the ceremony on Thursday 24 March, National Teaching Fellowship Awards were presented to:

• Professor Emma Mayhew, Associate Dean (Education) and Professor of Pedagogy in Politics and International Relations
• Professor Christine Rivers, Director of Learning and Teaching and Co-Director of the Centre for Management Education 
• Dr Chris Trace, Head of Digital Learning within the Surrey Institute of Education.

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme recognises and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.

Professor Osama Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education and Professor in Practice said: “I am delighted that Chris, Emma, and Christine’s hard work and dedication to their students has been recognised in this way. All of them have embraced and pioneered innovative techniques to help students with their learning.  I am proud to have them all with us here at Surrey.”

Alison Johns, Advance HE CEO, said: “All of the winners should be extremely proud of their achievement of what are prestigious, national teaching awards. Their work epitomises the outstanding commitment to teaching in the UK higher education sector, which this year has been more demanding than ever before. Well done to each and every one of them.”

Professor Emma Mayhew said:

“I’m honoured to be one of the newest members of such a wonderful and inspiring group of colleagues, recognised for their outstanding impact on teaching and learning. I’ll always be very grateful to colleagues who I have worked alongside, and who have supported me on this journey. I hope, in turn, to continue to support others to achieve recognition for their own practice.”

Professor Christine Rivers said:

“It is an absolute privilege to have received the prestigious NTF award and to see so many great individuals celebrating their achievement at the event. We as educators have a profound impact on our students, future leaders and colleagues in both academic and professional departments and being recognised for our efforts and contributions is important.

“Moreover, though this impact would not be possible without support and collaboration and so while NTF is an individual award I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone at Surrey and beyond who has been part of my journey so far. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given at Surrey to develop and grow and it is an absolute joy to be a valued member of the Surrey community and to be able to give the same support to the next generation of outstanding educators.”

Dr Chris Trace said:

“I’m thrilled to be able to pick up this award in person after delays to the ceremony. I was awarded this before my move into Digital Learning and is the culmination of years of teamwork in teaching and learning in the School of Veterinary Medicine. I have certainly stood on the shoulders of giants and learnt from so many fabulous mentors in my career so far; I hope to be able to emulate this and help others achieve their goals.”

The presentation ceremony had been delayed for two years by the pandemic. Both Professor Mayhew and Dr Trace were recognised in the NTF Awards 2020; Professor Rivers was recognised in the NTF Awards 2021.

Note to Editors

Academic profiles:

1. Professor Mayhew is the Associate Dean (Education) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science. In her career she has co-led major institutional digital transformation and change programmes, numerous initiatives surrounding assessment and feedback, student support, the development of academic communities, and staff-student partnerships Professor Mayhew has also delivered programmes focused on leadership in HE and early career development across the sector. 
2. Professor Rivers is Co-Director of the Centre for Management Education at Surrey Business School and accredited Executive Coach and Consultant in Management Education. She is Director for Learning and Teaching at Surrey Business School working with colleagues to ensure the delivery of an outstanding student experience. Professor Rivers’ projects are based on her research expertise around staff development and blended learning design, in particular usability in virtual learning environments.
3. Dr Trace uses his combined passions for veterinary medicine, technology and education to enhance the experience of students at Surrey. He has helped facilitate the rollout of lecture capture, digitised assessment, and played a central role in developing a new digital strategy for a student audience. He has also worked with students and championed their needs as the Chair of the Student Staff Liaison Committee, resulting in modular and programme enhancements, as well as greater flexibility in the use of space within the school for student use.
   
    

Professor Mayhew, Professor Rivers and Doctor Trace are available for interview upon request. Please contact the University of Surrey Media Team via email: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk