Dr Lara Alcock one of the innovative academics at Loughborough recognised as part of the 2020 Teaching Awards

Lara Alcock

Dr Lara Alcock has been announced as one of the winners of the 2020 Teaching Awards, which recognise and celebrate excellence in teaching.

Loughborough's annual Teaching Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate, and promote excellence in learning and teaching. These awards provide either funding or an intern to support innovation to positively impact students’ academic experience and enhance Loughborough’s teaching quality.

The annual Teaching Awards are split into two categories: the Research Informed Teaching Awards (RITAs), and the Teaching Innovation Awards (TIAs). Dr Alcock was one of the four academics at the University this year to be recognised with a RITA for their sustained and outstanding contribution to the promotion of research-informed teaching that has a direct impact on the student learning experience.

Dr Alcock 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. She 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, Dr Alcock speaks regularly on engaging lectures and has produced research-informed study guides for students.

A full list of this year’s award winners and their projects can be found on the Centre for Academic Practice’s webpages.

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.”  

The School of Science congratulates Dr Alcock on her award.         

More information about the RiTA and TIA winners can be found online.