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1 June 2015 |
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Direct view
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Professor
Paul Kelly, Pro-Director for Teaching and Learning talks about how this
year's Teaching Promotion Awards reflect a broadening sense of what
teaching at LSE means.
Teaching at LSE has evolved in recent years, not only in response to
external drivers such as higher education policy but also to reflect
internal changes like the New Academic Career Structure and the new shape
academic year. A major factor in this evolution has been a review of the way
in which teachers are rewarded and promoted, and a new emphasis on how
teaching staff contribute to education at LSE in general.
This means that, alongside the conventional criteria for promotion –
excellent face to face teaching, strong departmental endorsement and
students’ experience of highly valued learning
– consideration is now given
to expertise in a range of areas: course design, feedback to students,
academic leadership, support for colleagues’ teaching and contributions to
their departments’ overarching educational offer to students.
The following winners all demonstrated significant achievements in these
areas, in many ways going far beyond the requirements of the job to deliver
an outstanding education to their students. I thank them warmly for their
contributions to teaching and to LSE, and am delighted to announce them as
winners in the inaugural LSE Teaching Promotion Awards. |
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LSE
Teaching Promotion Awards: promotion to Professor
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Ulf Axelson, Finance
Rewarded for the development of the MSc
Finance and Private Equity programme and in particular for spearheading
a theoretically informed but applied approach to teaching Finance. This
includes the integration of a case based approach with guest-speaker
practitioners who share their experience of real-world learning with
students.
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Simon Dietz, Geography and Environment
Rewarded for an excellent teaching record across the School, including
playing a central role in the early development of LSE100, as lecturer,
adviser and advocate, and making a significant contribution to the
department’s portfolio through the development of master’s courses in
environmental assessment and climate change.
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Amol Sasane, Mathematics
Rewarded for exemplary contributions to courses that are compulsory,
challenging and highly technical, including effective student feedback
and the design of original resources that have been inherited and highly
valued by junior faculty in the department, as well as for services to
the
Undergraduate Studies Sub-Committee
and the departmental teaching committee.
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Patrick Wallis, Economic History
Rewarded for an excellent teaching record at all levels
– undergraduate,
graduate and doctoral – and in particular for the design of core
methodological taught courses that provide a basis on which other
departmental courses are built, as well as for serving as inaugural
chair of the departmental teaching committee.
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LSE Teaching Promotion Awards: Major Review, with promotion to
Associate Professor
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Olivier Accominotti, Economic History
Rewarded for a genuine research-led
approach to teaching that enables students to see themselves as real
economic historians, encouraged to analyse primary source data to
address research problems, contribute to group work and plenary
discussion tasks, and capable of participating in discussions as
erudite, critical and curious scholars.
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Roham Alvandi, International History
Rewarded for inventive and high quality teaching across the
department, including the development of a PhD research seminar series,
described as having reinvigorated a core element in the life of the
department’s research students, the use of gobbets (short primary source
texts and recordings) as a teaching technique, and the provision of research
opportunities for undergraduates. |
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60
second interview
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with ... Tom Maksymiw, this year's LSESU Education Officer
The LSESU Teaching Excellence Awards were relaunched last year with great success. How did they go this year?
The relaunch last year was a massive success and really set the foundations for this year - so thanks to Rosie (last year's Education Officer)! This year we had 1,362 individual nominations
– more than ever before and four hundred more than last year. The reception event itself was well attended and we had The Critique of Pure Rhythm, the Philosophy department band, play at the end. For the first time, we also showed a video with students explaining why they nominated individual teachers, which I think the nominees appreciated. The atmosphere at the ceremony was great and I felt we managed to celebrate the best of LSE teaching.
What do you think students particularly value in their LSE teachers?
I think aside from the key stuff, like delivering feedback on time, allowing for class discussions and conveying passion for their subject, something that came across really clearly from the nominations was that students appreciate being treated as intellectual equals. That is, students like to be active participants in their learning and like to feel that their ideas are appreciated by their teachers. That sort of engagement from the teacher's side is something that you notice as a student and helps you to grow in confidence as you learn.
What's been the best part of being LSESU Education Officer this year?
I really enjoyed putting on social events with the aim of breaking down perceived barriers between staff and students. I organised football tournaments, dodgeball
tournaments, pub quizzes and more to get staff and students to interact outside of the classroom. It was fun to create those sorts of events and it seemed to have a positive effect
– putting on these activities was a completely different dimension of the job when compared to the usual reading of committee papers that I tend to do day to day.
If you were in charge of throwing a fancy dress party for the whole of LSE, what theme would you choose and why?
Famous people from Leicester (where I'm from)? Could go as the Attenboroughs, Gary Lineker, Gok Wan, David Ike...I'd probably end up going as someone from Kasabian though. That's a bit rubbish isn't it? |
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LSE Student Led Teaching Excellence Awards 2015
Students comment on the teachers who have made a difference to their
time at LSE
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Award for Inspirational
Teaching
For being charismatic, driving students to learn
more, challenging their perceptions and encouraging them to apply their
knowledge to the wider world
Winner: Dr Leonardo Baccini, International Relations
"In short, my experience in Dr Baccini's
lectures and seminars has made my academic experience worthwhile at LSE.
I literally can't imagine my experience here without his teaching."
"Truly one of the best professors at LSE,
and one of the best I've had the privilege of learning from in my
academic career."
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Highly commended: Dr Connson Locke, Management
"Connson teaches Leadership with passion
and charisma and connects theory to practice in an innovative way that
students can relate to. Her enthusiasm, the coherent structure she
brings to the class and her motivating spirit make the class highly
enjoyable and engaging with a lot to take away. Her presentation style
is the best I have seen at LSE."
"She embodies everything LSE stands for
and in my opinion is the best lecturer I have had the pleasure of
studying under, be that UG or PG."
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Highly commended: Dr Catherine Hua Xiang, Language Centre
"Catherine is the most amazing language
teacher I have ever been taught by. She is so dedicated to helping us
enrich our knowledge of probably the hardest foreign language - Mandarin
Chinese."
"Catherine is perhaps one of the most
patient teachers I have met, and she is willing to repeat concepts and
words as much as is needed. Her teaching style is also very flexible in
the sense that she listens to students' wishes and adapts her teaching
accordingly."
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Highly commended: Dr James Abdey, Statistics
"Dr Abdey consistently equips his
students with the tools they need to become effective statisticians. He
holds numerous review/help sessions a week and his contact hours are
unrivalled by other departments. He is a wonderful teacher and is always
there for his students."
"Absolutely no other academic can match
the charisma, passion or intellect of Dr James Abdey. His innovative and
'out of the box' teaching style makes learning statistics fun and
pleasurable."
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Award for Sharing Subject
Knowledge
For demonstrating a broad knowledge and variety in
their teaching, to facilitate engaging debate and dialogue and taking
the time to ensure students understand
Winner: Dr James Strong, International Relations
"He is a wonderful instructor, as made clear by his ability to convey
complex topics in ways that are interesting, relevant and exciting. Most
importantly, he is able to connect with his students
– and they deeply
respect him for it."
"Dr Strong has enabled me to participate more actively in seminar
discussions
– a big deal for me as I have always had issues with public
speaking."
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Highly commended: Jordana Ramalho, Geography
"It is very rare to find a teaching assistant who is engaged with the
class, dedicated to teaching and as passionate about the subject as
Jordana. She truly makes me want to get up at 9am on a Friday morning to
discuss gender issues."
"Her maturity allows her to include all members of the class (even those
who are extremely shy!) and she creates a safe learning environment for
everyone by supporting our ideas and encouraging us to further develop
those ideas."
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Dr Francesco Caselli, Economics
"He has frequently sent out
emails on Financial Times articles, complimented with his own perspective
to read, which adds value by bringing the theory to life and increasing
commercial awareness simultaneously."
"It is very apparent that he is incredibly
knowledgeable in the subject area as he goes through the course material
in a detailed manner, including his own analogies that are often
interesting and funny."
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Award for Excellent Welfare
and Pastoral Support
For really caring about their students personal
welfare,
being a constant point of
support and being able to signpost students to appropriate support
services.
Winner: Dr Matt Wilde, Anthropology
"I
cannot thank the nominee enough for making LSE such a welcoming
environment, and also for being so receptive and accommodating to the
needs of his students."
"Matt understands all the pressures that come with being a student at
LSE; he has provided me with information and support on a number of
issues, from making friends to financial difficulties."
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Highly commended: Dr Arjan Gjonca, Social Policy "He has been
more than understanding with problems that have impacted on my work, and is
flexible on when he could see me if I cannot make a seminar or office
hours."
"He has given me advice based on personal experience and also advice on
how to best manage my time and studies."
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Highly commended: Dr James Morrison, International Relations
"He is interested in the welfare of
students and we feel very comfortable in confiding in him. For example,
for thanksgiving he invited students to have an 'American' style dinner
with his family at his home."
"James goes above and beyond other
lecturers, engaging the whole class so that students can build
meaningful friendships with each other."
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Award for Research Support
and Guidance
For being personally invested in their students'
education, recognising their value as an academic equal and providing
fantastic guidance.
Winner: Dr Tanya Harmer, International History
"Dr Harmer is by far the most welcoming
and attentive professor I have had at LSE in terms of providing
opportunities to discuss my work further with her."
"She has the virtue of making everybody
feel important and that every contribution is useful and worth listening
to. She is an example and an inspiration for me as a future teacher."
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Highly commended: Dr Suki Ali, Sociology
"Suki provided invaluable support and feedback regarding my sociological
project. She helped me work through my research question and was always
available to talk and work through any problems or issues I had with the
course."
"She was the first academic to pilot our society, the LSESU Sociology
Society 'lunch with academics' series and went on to inspire us about
her background and academic life."
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Highly commended: Dr Alan Mace, Geography and Environment
"As a supervisor, he is extremely helpful in providing guidance. His
recommendation are thought through and his suggestions for literature
are highly valuable. As a supervisor, he gives me the feeling of
security in approaching a challenging issue."
"A lot of this is possible because of the ease with which he interacts
with us as master's students, treating us in many ways as colleagues,
with our own merits and ideas to bring into thinking about cities."
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Award for Innovative Teaching
For going beyond the traditional model of teaching,
providing exciting perspectives and cutting edge research and enhancing
their students' learning with technology
Winner: Dr Janet Foster, Sociology
"She uses multiple resources while incorporating the key traditional and
contemporary literature such as art, documentaries and films"
"She arranged for students to shadow local police officers, which not
only took quite a bit of effort on her part, but also proved to be
extremely rewarding."
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Highly commended: Dr Matthew Hall, Accounting
"Brought the concept 'flipped lecturing' to AC310. Classes were two
hours, instead of the usual one hour, which allowed for a wider range of
discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the module and would
recommend the concept of flipped lecturing to be rolled out more widely
across the School."
"One time during the class there was a live online discussion forum
happening on the topic we were covering, so we were able to take part in
the online discussion with some industry experts. It really helps to
make the course more interesting and we can apply our knowledge into
real life situations."
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Highly commended: Dr Gustav Meibauer, International Relations
“He makes great use of multimedia to give what I previously thought was
quite a dry discipline some flair.”
“The mix of student presentations, class debates, simulation games and
informative readings of the class material extends beyond course parameters,
making for a vibrant learning environment.”
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Award for Excellent Feedback
and Communication
For being approachable, responsive, providing
excellent feedback and being willing to use innovative communication to
help students develop and understand
Winner: Rosa Runhardt, Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
“Her formative essay marking is tough but consistent and principled –
I never went frustrated or unchallenged when writing an essay for the
course. She even ran a coursework surgery session to get our summative
work on track.”
“She recommends that some papers be adapted for publication and makes
suggestions as to how the paper could be worked on to make it of Journal
standard.”
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Highly commended: Dr Martin Hearson, International Relations
“Martin has taken over all four classes of the course after some issues
with the lecturer. He immediately took the new students in hand, opening
long office hours, sending extra emails to explain our assessed essay and
talking to everyone about the project.”
“The nominee has been the best class teacher I have had in my three years
at LSE. He has gone above and beyond, providing handouts and case studies
every week in order to improve my understanding of the subject”
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Highly commended: Meredith Whitten, Geography and Environment
“Meredith is by far the best teacher I've had during my time at LSE with
regard to feedback. She painstakingly reviews essays and gave back
almost a full A4 page in feedback for mine. She then spent over an hour
discussing my essay with me giving me pointers on how to improve both
the content of my essay and my technique, explaining what she (and other
markers) would be looking for whilst both breaking down the mark scheme
and how she marks. This feedback has not only helped me with the module
that she teaches, but helped in other assessed work in other courses.”
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Award for Professional
Mentoring and Personal Development
For adding value beyond the traditional academic
reach, helping students to develop professionally and to add value to
their skill set
Winner: Robert Charnock, Accounting
“Outside of class he has been more than a teacher but also a mentor
and friend - giving personal advice from his experiences and going out
of his way to help me discover my true passions in life and where to
take my skills to explore career paths”
“He helped me devise a plan to network with people in an industry I
am interested in working in and he often checked on how I was doing. He
goes above and beyond.”
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Highly commended: Neil Lee, Geography and Environment
“He gives thorough advice for academic and professional projects very
easily. He deploys a great bunch of tips to maintain a good and balanced
atmosphere among the students and mingle our skills so that we improve
altogether.”
“Neil has been overwhelmingly supportive throughout my years at LSE. He
was able to provide feedback for my Masters personal statement. He also
offers extremely valuable insight on courses and career paths to help me
determine mine.”
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Highly commended:
Abby Innes, European Institute
“She has always been helpful to keep moving to the next possible academic
level such as giving honest reasons when she thought a dissertation topic
needed to be changed. Each time I had a conversation with her, even if it
was just for 5 minutes, I felt that she added value to my experience at LSE
and that I was able to keep going in the Master programme.”
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Award for Exceptional
Contribution to Teaching
For being consistently exceptional in all areas of
teaching, being nominated repeatedly in recent years and for being
valued by a vast number and range of students at LSE
Winner: Dr Shakuntala Banaji, Media and Communications
and
Winner of the 2015 European Award for Excellence in Teaching
“She is an incredible inspiring person and always offers us critical
and reflexive thoughts. At the same time, she is the most enthusiastic
teacher I have ever met in my life and she fully dedicate herself to
teaching.”
“What makes her exceptionally charismatic (magnetic really) and
effective as a teacher is that despite her proven depth of knowledge of
her topics and efficiency in getting students to engage, she is
down-to-earth and approachable at all times”
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Awards on film
A short film with students talking about their nominations for
the LSESU Student Led Teaching Excellence Awards can be watched
here.
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LSE Class Teacher Awards
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Class Teacher Awards are nominated by academic departments in
recognition of the special contribution made by graduate teaching
assistants, teaching fellows and guest teachers to their work.
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Accounting: Rodney Brown, Nadine De-Gannes
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Anthropology: Clara Miranda Sheild-Johansson, Anna Tuckett,
Martyn Wemyss
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Economic History: Flora Macher, Brian Varian
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Economics: Clare Balboni, Svetlana Chekmasova, Alexia Delfino,
Thomas Drechsel, Jason Garred, Reka Juhasz, William Matcham, Stephan
Maurer, Ana McDowall, Clement Minaudier, Niclas Moneke, Frank Pisch,
Federico Rossi, Francesco Sannino, Luke Taylor
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Finance: James Clark, Alex Clymo, Alex Koriath, Paula Lopes,
Luana Zaccaria
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Gender Institute: Jacob Breslow, Emma Spruce
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Geography and Environment: Alice Evans, Ashley Gorst, Ganga
Shreedhar
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Government: Erifylli Bertsou, Moritz Schmoll, Maria Werdine-Norris,
Gregor Wolkenstein
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International Development: Hazel Gray, Anna Macdonald, Silvia
Masiero
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International History: Sarah Ashraf, Sajjansing Gohel, Cornelius
Heere, Andrea Mason, Stuart Minson, Lauren Young
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Language Centre: Natasha Bershadski, Roser Martinez-Sanchez
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Law: Cressida Auckland, Anthony Jones, Manuel Penades-Fons, Simon
Witney
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LSE100: Mark Hill, Natasha Marhia, Chris Parkes, Daniel Strieff
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Mathematics: Elisabeth Grieger, Matthew Jenssen, Philip Johnson,
Tony Whelan, Georgios Zouros
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Management: Ahmad Abu-Khazneh, Rebecca Campbell, Enrico Rossi
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Media and Communications: Sally Broughton-Micova
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Methodology: Kevin Corti, Jack Cunliffe
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Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method: Simon Beard, Alexandru
Marcoci, James Nguyen, Nicolas Wuethrich
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Social Policy: Diana Quirmbach, Bert Provan, Liz Bailey
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Social Psychology: Satkeen Azizzadeh, Apurv Chauhan, Imara
Rolston
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Sociology: Manmit Bhambra, Richard Seymour, Paul Thornbury
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Statistics: Anastasia Kakou, Milt Mavrakakis, Jose Pina-Sanchez
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LSE Teaching Awards Reception 2015
All of this year’s teaching awards were presented at an evening
reception on 5 May, co-hosted by LSE’s Teaching and Learning Centre and
the LSESU, and held in The Venue, Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, with
music provided by The Critique of Pure Rhythm. The reception followed a
successful Teaching Symposium which addressed the idea of an LSE
education. Read Simeon Underwood’s
opening address, reproduced on
the teaching blog, and the
#anLSEeducation feed, which is still welcoming contributions.
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