Winners of 2016 Distinguished Teaching Awards selected
This year’s winners of the Distinguished Teaching Awards teach subjects related to linguistics, economics, medical cell biology, and physics and astronomy. The Free Distinguished Teaching Award goes to David Black-Schaffer for his efforts integrating digital resources in his teaching.
The winners of the Distinguished Teaching Awards are selected by a committee consisting of two teachers and two students from four different nomination areas, from suggestions made by students and colleagues. This year, 59 people had been nominated.
‘The Distinguished Teaching Awards reward top-quality teaching achievements. The teachers who are awarded the prize represent both expertise in academic teaching and genuine dedication to the students’ learning, says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Anders Malmberg.
The awards are presented at the inauguration of professors in November. The prize sum is SEK 20,000.
Award-winners and jury citations
Theology, Humanities and Education:
Senior lecturer Sina Tezel at the Department of Linguistics and Philology has been awarded the 2016 Distinguished Teaching Award in Theology, Humanities and Education.
Sina Tezel’s engaging and varied teaching benefits the learning of all her students. She makes herself available and makes things seem possible even during intense periods of study. Sina caters to the individual needs of her students, gives constructive feedback and inspires with her direct and clear mentorship. As teacher and coordinator of the Bachelor Programme in Oriental Studies she is a dynamic force that has strongly contributed to a positive development of the course.
Law and Social Sciences:
Senior lecturer Per Engström at the Department of Economics has been awarded the 2016 Distinguished Teaching Award in Law and Social Sciences.
Per Engström is a teacher at all academic levels, from basic courses to PhD studies, and in a majority of the department’s courses. He has developed courses and created progression through the teaching. His activating teaching methods engage students and he has shown how technology can be used to develop learning. Per is a pedagogical, calm, open and organised teacher and pedagogic leader who has the ability to cooperate with students.
Medicine and Pharmacy:
Lecturer Per Holmfeldt at the Department of Medical Cell Biology has been awarded the 2016 Distinguished Teaching Award in Medicine and Pharmacy.
Per Holmfeldt is responsible for the teaching of physiology at the Nursing Programme and the Biomedical Laboratory Science Programme. He is a clear pedagogic leader and is continuously improving his teaching – especially the distance education for students in Visby. Per has, through dialogue with the students, created a competitive educational programme on a scientific foundation, which has led to markedly improved exam results. His varied and involving lectures are appreciated by the students.
Mathematics, Science and Technology:
Lecturer Johan Larsson at the Department of Physics and Astronomy has been awarded the 2016 Distinguished Teaching Award in Mathematics, Science and Technology.
Johan Larsson is an experienced teacher who constantly develops his teaching. His teaching presents clear goals, inspiring connections to everyday life, creative models and fascinating experiments. With a broad repertoire of teaching methods, Johan strives to meet all students at their level and promote their learning. He generously shares inspiration, knowledge of physics and pedagogical advice with students and colleagues.
The Free Distinguished Teaching Award:
Senior lecturer David Black-Schaffer at the Department of Information Technology has been awarded the 2016 Free Distinguished Teaching Award on the theme of ‘Integration of digital resources in teaching’.
David Black-Schaffer is a dedicated and enthusiastic force in integrating digital resources in teaching. Students actively work with, and are supported in their learning by, well-structured digital teaching materials. With great passion he uses and renews a ‘flipped classroom’ model, which he also has shared with students and teachers. This full-scale integration of digital resources stimulates learning and makes it fun to study.
Elin Bäckström