Dr Chris Wilson is one of four academics to have been recognised at Loughborough University’s annual Teaching Awards to recognise and celebrate excellence in teaching.

The annual Teaching Awards from the Centre for Academic Practice are split into two categories: the Research Informed Teaching Awards (RITAs), and the Teaching Innovation Awards (TIAs).

The prestigious RITAs have been awarded to four academics at the University this year, recognising their sustained and outstanding contribution to the promotion of research-informed teaching that has a direct impact on the student learning experience at Loughborough University.

Dr Chris Wilson was recognised for creating inspiring economics classroom experiments to prompt students to participate in decision-making games in order to illustrate aspects of economic theory and allow students to engage with economic environments first-hand. In addition, Chris co-founded a community of practice, the SBE Teaching Forum, and analysed its impact.

Winners from other subject areas within the university are detailed below.

• Dr Lara Alcock (Mathematics Education Centre) was awarded for her work on active learning and engagement in lectures using methods derived from her research in mathematics education and the psychology of learning. Lara was also recognised for the creation of local teaching groups and internal learning and teaching events, as well as the promotion of discussing subject-specific teaching with peers of different levels of experience. Nationally, Lara speaks regularly on engaging lectures and has produced research-informed study guides for students. 
• Dr Ash Casey (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences) was recognised for his work within the PGCE in PE course, embedding cutting-edge research and practice whilst also using flipped learning and social media within teaching. Ash uses innovative resources and platforms to share research with students; for example separating students into jigsaw groups (a cooperative learning strategy) and asking them to consult resources like The Physical Education Practitioner Research Network (PEPRN) blog prior to in-class discussions. He has also established a Teaching and Pedagogy Group in the School and has disseminated practice internally, nationally and at an international level.
• Clare Hutton (School of Social Sciences and Humanities) has been commended for her work in curriculum design by fostering synergies between teaching and innovative research in the field of digital literary scholarship, particularly in the modules EAA200: How to Do Things with Digital Texts and EAB001: From FanFiction to YouTube: Navigating the Digital Literary Sphere. Students are challenged to consider the underpinning rationale and methodology of literary scholarship through the introduction and use of a range of software with teaching taking place in the ‘Literature Lab’. Clare was also recognised for developing students as researchers with the assessment components of a digital workbook and an active research focused presentation.

Professor Rachel Thomson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching commented: “I am delighted to be able to recognise colleagues who have won these awards for their innovation and excellence in teaching.

“Whilst the current situation means that we cannot gather in person to share the innovation and excellent practice that happens at Loughborough at the annual Learning and Teaching Conference as we would normally have done, it is important that we continue to recognise and celebrate success. We will ensure that we both congratulate the winners in person when appropriate to do so, and also to provide an opportunity to share the best practice from their projects.

“Congratulations to all of the winners, and particularly to Lara Alcock, Ash Casey, Clare Hutton and Chris Wilson for their research-informed teaching awards.”