The awards celebrate the impact of teaching in the UK higher education sector by recognising and celebrating teaching excellence on an individual, team and institutional basis.
The Professional Experience Implementation Group (PEIG) in Aston University’s School of Pharmacy won a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE), while Professor Goudarz Poursharif, founding director of Aston Professional and deputy dean for education of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Dr Robert Nash, reader in the School of Psychology, have been named as National Teaching Fellows (NTF).
Aston University was one of only ten universities in the UK to receive both CATE and NTF recognition in 2024.
A CATE recognises and rewards collaborative work that has had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning and highlights the key role of teamwork in UK higher education.
PEIG’s submission was led by Natalie Lewis, associate head of school (operations). The PEIG team members Michelle Elston, Gagandeep Degun, Debbie Kemp, Olivia Mina, Rebecca Teece (Boots the Chemist), Hayley Smith, Anna Durkin, Emma Smith, Ramandeep Sandhu (South Doc Services) and Ben Willets were named in the award as well as external partner Will Pamment from AI simulation software company SimConverse.
The team has expanded placements by 700 per cent for students across pharmacy disciplines. Placements are supported with simulations, medicines information training and campus-based student-led clinics.
The team introduced SimConverse AI simulation software to quality assure training for pharmacy placements, helping to overcome some of the barriers to NHS placement delivery. PEIG’s academics, technical team members, sector leads and SimConverse came together with community pharmacies, GP practices and NHS trusts to develop realistic simulations and training programmes.
Ms Lewis said: “The CATE award is testament to the collaboration, innovation and hard work of all those involved; within the PEIG team, the wider university and our partners.
“I am immensely proud of what we have been able to achieve and what this award represents.
“We look forwards to further sharing our approach with other institutions and welcoming new partners through the endorsement of this award.”
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in UK higher education.
Newly named NTF Professor Poursharif has embedded practice-based education for sustainable development into teaching programmes, and developed innovative degree apprenticeship and work-based learning programmes that bridge the gap between academia and industry.
He says: “Winning the NTF provides me with a unique opportunity to leverage my achievement for the benefit of Aston University, by continuing to enhance teaching and learning practices, sharing best practices in teaching and learning from the sector through the NTF network, and promoting Aston University’s reputation in learning and teaching excellence.”
Dr Robert Nash, meanwhile, researches human memory, cognition and social influence, with a particular interest in legal and educational psychology.
He has successfully combined his research expertise with his approach to learning, teaching and assessment.
His work in assessment and feedback literacy has proven extremely valuable for his students and influential at Aston University as a whole.
Aston University has previously been recognised for the quality of its teaching, including being awarded the prestigious ‘triple gold’, the highest possible rating, in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) ratings in September 2023.
