Trio named National Teaching Fellowship nominees

Three colleagues have been put forward for a top teaching accolade, recognising their efforts to enhance teaching and learning here at Reading.

Dr Allán Laville, Dr Rhi Smith and Professor Cindy Becker have all been selected to represent the University as nominees in the 2023 National Teaching Fellowship Scheme.

Up to 55 National Teaching Fellowships are awarded each year by Advance HE. The scheme celebrates and rewards outstanding individual impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession.

Those recognised through the scheme go on to play an important role in supporting the enhancement of learning and teaching within their own institutions, the higher education sector and further afield.

The University celebrated success in the scheme earlier this year, with Amanda Millmore (Associate Professor at the School of Law) and Professor Norbert Morawetz (Professor in Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation at Henley Business School) both awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in August.

Professor Peter Miskell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education & Student Experience) said: “At Reading we have a proud record of encouraging and supporting successful National Teaching Fellowship applications, reflecting the extraordinary commitment and creativity of our colleagues.

“This year we have another exceptionally strong set of cases, and I very much hope that Rhi, Cindy and Al will receive the national recognition that their efforts so richly deserve.”

The winners of the 2023 National Teaching Fellowship Scheme will be announced in August.

Allán Laville, Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, said: “I am delighted to be selected as one of the University's nominees for the 2023 National Teaching Fellowship. As a second time applicant, I am really looking forward to developing my application further and receiving excellent mentorship from colleagues.

“I would like to thank the panel for their support and encouragement regarding the value, reach and impact of my Diversity and Inclusion work within Teaching and Learning.”

Rhi Smith, Director of Academic Learning and Engagement in University Museums and Special Collections Services, said: “I'm so pleased to be selected. Museums and collections are spaces for innovative, authentic learning and it's wonderful that the University of Reading embraces that.

“National Teaching Fellowship applications are individual but as always this is only made possible by working with an incredible team.”

Cindy Becker, Professor of Pedagogy in English Literature, said: “I am delighted to be one of this year's nominees for the National Teaching Fellowship and look forward to the opportunity to reflect on my teaching in this way.”