SENRGy staff short-listed for Student Led Teaching Awards

Two SENRGy lecturers were recently short-listed for Bangor University’s Student Led Teaching Awards. The awards, voted for by Bangor University students, were developed by the Bangor University Students’ Union, who successfully gained funding from the National Union of Students and the Higher Education Academy.

Over 300 different nominations were submitted by students on behalf of 180 different members of staff representing all of the University’s Academic Schools. The nomination process was completed online through the Students’ Union’s website.

Following the nomination process, SENRGy’s Dr Julia Jones and Dr Prysor Williams were both short-listed and were present at the awards dinner, where they received certificates recognizing their achievement. Julia’s nomination came in the International Student category, with the nomination recognizing her “outstanding support to international Masters & PhD students” and her work in “organizing grants, bursaries and scholarships for international students”. Julia, described as “inspiring” in her nomination, is the Course Director for SENRGy’s BSc Applied Terrestrial & Marine Ecology and BSc Environmental Conservation degrees. In receiving the nomination Julia commented that she “was delighted to be shortlisted for these fantastic new awards. I found the whole evening to be uplifting and inspiring. It was wonderful hearing stories of great teaching and support from across the university, and realising how much the students appreciate it”.

Prysor, Course Director for SENRGy’s BSc Environmental Science, BSc Environmental Management and BSc Agriculture, Conservation and Environment degrees, was short-listed for the Green Award. This award “recognises promotion of, and contribution to, sustainability”. As noted in his nomination: "just ask Dr Prysor about his decomposing sheep contraption at Henfaes and you'll know that this is the man for the Green Award! Prysor has a fun and dynamic teaching style engaging all students in his classroom and on field trips and is always happy to help". Prysor commented that “it was fantastic to be nominated and to attend the event, which had obviously been made possible through the hard work of Bangor University students”.

Indications suggest that the NUS/HEA will continue to support the event beyond this year, with the Students’ Union already making plans to run the awards again next year. The expectation is that this project will grow and grow.

Publication date: 1 June 2012