King’s Education Awards

This award recognises the contribution of an individual (or team) over time which has led to a sustained positive impact on the learning and teaching community, or overall student experience at King's. Below is the supporting statement that led the Student Panel to choose Nicky as the 2023 winner of this category: 'Through the course of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Nicky proved to be an invaluable member of the King’s Residencies Team by going above and beyond for the during both isolation and as we emerged into a post Covid-19 environment. The sustained impact of Nicky’s excellence can be measured not only by the duration of her support, but the fact students themselves felt inspired to become Residential Welfare Volunteers after interacting with Nicky, having a sustained impact on the College: ‘She gives so much of herself, from a place of compassion and excellence; she is generous with her time, offering unconditional support to those who need it. She has understood me in my most difficult times
surgeries, exams, caretaking responsibilities towards my mom… I feel privileged and grateful to have Nicky as a role model, as a leader and member of my King's family.’ - extract from the Student's nomination.'

This award recognises the contribution of a pioneering individual (or team) who has taken on new, innovative approaches to designing effective learning environments, delivering creative and inspirational teaching. Below is the supporting statement that led the Student Panel to choose Kenneth as the 2023 winner of this category: 'Dr Chu is a proven innovator as a teacher. He is creative in his approach to lesson planning, ensuring that lessons on removable prosthodontics are hands-on and engaging no matter what the student’s learning style or neurodiversity may be. The outcome is that students ‘always look forward to sessions with Dr Chu’ He is also innovative in his approach to making the course content accessible by using a variety of different media, such as original video demonstrations, practical in person classes and various digital assets to ensure that students of all skill profiles can participate in and understand the highly technical sessions. Caring for each student, he takes an individualised approach, supporting students on a 1:1 basis where required to personalise their development and ensure he is equalling the playing field in the learning environment for all.'

This award recognises an individual (or team) who shows commitment and dedication to widening participation by creating a diverse and inclusive environment, through curriculum content and design, teaching practice, and/or supporting students and colleagues. Below is the supporting statement that led the Student Panel to choose Jonathan as the 2023 winner of this category: 'Dr Turner is committed to inclusive practice, as evidenced by his role as Disability Lead, leading on faculty widening participation and EDI initiatives, such as on-campus visit days and our pre-16 programme. He also facilitates several KERF projects with an inclusivity strand. As part of his teaching practice, he ‘always emails students ahead of time to let them know what to expect and exactly how to prepare’. This is particularly helpful for neurodivergent students and those who feel anxious attending sessions, allowing them to plan and prepare strategies accordingly. Teaching on a time intensive and challenging course, Dr Turner is ‘exceptionally organised’, helping those students who are time poor to plan their schedules further in advance. This particularly impacts student parents and those with caring responsibilities. Students describe Dr Turner as having a ‘real passion’ for ensuring ‘everyone understands not only the foundational concepts, but higher levels of understanding in his subject too’.

This award recognises an individual (or team) who consistently applies feedback practices that are integral to supporting student development and learning. Below is the supporting statement that led the Student Panel to choose Marija as the 2023 winner of this category: 'With a massive 17 nominations, Marija has an overwhelming number of comments on her devotion to give the best feedback to students. She "always gave detailed and constructive feedback for our dissertation drafts to help us to learn and improve throughout". Not only does Marija Petrinovic provide excellent feedback, it is clear that they take "feedback into account to make learning more engaging and interactive". It is mentioned how Marija has included innovative ways by "providing an anonymous feedback hub" to assure that they "consistently alters teaching methods and styles to fit the preference of the students". One student commented that "This makes it feel as though studying is a two-way interaction between student and school, rather than a one-way service." The most important theme that comes across from the comments is that students are comfortable to provide this feedback on their studies.

This award recognises an individual (or team) who frequently goes the extra mile to support students in and outside of the classroom. Below is the supporting statement that led the Student Panel to choose Fangyuan as the 2023 winner of this category: Fangyuan received a remarkable 26 nominations, and there was a clear theme in terms of the care and support that she gives to her students. As a GTA, Fangyuan is a rising star in terms of her teaching, and shows real empathy and commitment to her students both within and outside the classroom. "In addition to the classroom, she is also very supportive. During office hour, she helps me with any questions I have about the course or my future development." "She is such a caring and thoughtful person who always supports you." "She’s been very patient and supportive during teaching. I can tell that she put lots of effort into preparing for the lesson materials." "Fangyuan is also active in helping after class. She treats her students as friends and pays attention to every student."

This award recognises individuals who purposefully include students in co-curricular opportunities and who support students in engaging in ways to connect their academic experience to broader initiatives such as service, internships, employability skills, or through involvement in improving the wider teaching and learning community at King’s. This category has two winners because there was a tie in the Student Judging panel’s votes; they will each receive an award for this category. Below is the supporting statement that led the Student Panel to choose Chris as one of two 2023 winners of this category: Nominations for Chris demonstrate their dedication to expanding opportunities for the student community at King’s. This year’s nominations highlight the following successes: They revived the History society; They arranged for guest speakers from a variety of museums and historical institutions across the country; As a non-binary academic, they have increased representation for this community which has been ‘deeply touching and meaningful’ to those in the History department. Some of the words repeatedly used to describe Chris were 'supportive, engaging, and a shining example of academic and social engagement with students'. ‘They have fostered a real sense of what it means to be a historian’. ‘They honestly make the history department the most wonderful, accepting and open-minded environment’

This award recognises individuals who purposefully include students in co-curricular opportunities and who support students in engaging in ways to connect their academic experience to broader initiatives such as service, internships, employability skills, or through involvement in improving the wider teaching and learning community at King’s. This category has two winners because there was a tie in the Student Judging panel’s votes; they will each receive an award for this category. Below is the supporting statement that led the Student Panel to choose Stephan as one of two 2023 winners of this category: Stephan has almost single-handedly organised and delivered a trip to an international summit in Riyadh, for hundreds of International Relations and War Studies students, in December 2022. The trip gave students the unique opportunity to interact with diplomats and government leaders first-hand – giving them an almost unforgettable and in some ways, life changing experience. He should therefore be thoroughly commended and recognised for the incredible work it took to organise this, and for the remarkable, unique opportunity he provided for his students.

This award recognises the contribution of an individual (or team) over time which has led to a sustained positive impact on the learning and teaching community, or overall student experience at King's.

This award recognises the contribution of a pioneering individual (or team) who has taken on new, innovative approaches to designing effective learning environments, delivering creative and inspirational teaching.

This award recognises an individual (or team) who shows commitment and dedication to widening participation by creating a diverse and inclusive environment, through curriculum content and design, teaching practice, and/or supporting students and colleagues.

This award recognises an individual (or team) who consistently applies feedback practices that are integral to supporting student development and learning.

This award recognises an individual (or team) who frequently goes the extra mile to support students in and outside of the classroom.

This award recognises an individual (or team) who purposefully include students in co-curricular opportunities and who support students in engaging in ways to connect their academic experience to broader initiatives such as service, internships, employability skills, or through involvement in improving the curriculum.