Dr Christopher Kay and Jenny Ardley were recognised for the development of a new module for Loughborough’s Criminology programme titled ‘Rehabilitation and Recovery’.
The module provides students with the opportunity to supervise one of two ‘clients’ who are serving a community order. The clients were played by Loughborough University Drama alumni, who reported to students via video diary every week for five weeks during which time students were required to reflect on the content of the video and identify ways in which their client’s rehabilitation and recovery can be supported. The actors followed scripts written by Dr Kay, that were based on real-life case files.
The initiative pioneered the use of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and is considered to be one of the first attempts of integration with the subject.
The pair received the National Award for Excellence in Teaching Criminology and Criminal Justice yesterday (4 July), shortly after the British Society of Criminology Conference took place.
The award highlights and celebrates the best practice in teaching criminology across higher education institutions in the UK and is led by the BSC Learning and Teaching Network. It is the first time Loughborough University has been recognised for the accolade since its inception in 2011.
Dr Christopher Kay commented: "It is a real honour to have won this award. Previous winners have epitomised innovative approaches to teaching in this field, and it's a privilege to now see our work on that list. The aim was to provide our students with an interesting and thought-provoking module on rehabilitation and recovery, and I think we are doing that. For it to be nationally recognised in this way is the icing on the cake."
Jenny Ardley added: “We’re thrilled to receive this award - it’s a completely new module that Chris and I collaborated on. It was a complicated module to create, however Chris and I work really well together and we’re delighted with the outcome.”
Loughborough University is ranked third in the UK for Criminology (Guardian University Guide, 2022) and first for Student Experience in the subject in the latest Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2022).
The British Society of Criminology is a membership organisation that has run for more than 60 years and is devoted to furthering the knowledge of crime and the criminal justice systems in the United Kingdom. More information can be found on their dedicated website.