Staff honoured by students in annual teaching awards

The teaching successes of staff at the Dick Vet have been recognised at the Students’ Association annual prizes.

Dr Neil Anderson, Programme Director of two postgraduate programmes, has been awarded the ‘Innovation in Digital Teaching Award’ in the Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) Teaching Awards 2022.

This student-led award relates to the online MSc One Health and MVetSci Conservation Medicine programmes.

A further team at the Dick Vet was shortlisted for the same award.

Also recognised in this year’s prizes was Dr Glen Cousquer, who was shortlisted for the award ‘Outstanding Commitment to Social Justice and Sustainability’.

Digital approach

Dr Anderson and his colleagues use a variety of technologies, including videos, podcasts, discussion boards and various software platforms to deliver course content to students across the world.

In accepting the award on behalf of the teaching team, Dr Anderson highlighted their dedication and commitment to deliver engaging learning materials for their students. He also praised the team at the Digital Education Unit at the Vet School, with who he works to develop interactive teaching materials.

 

 I feel very honoured to be chosen as the winner of this award and I would like to thank all the students who nominated me. I don’t normally win awards so the fact that it was a student led award makes it even more meaningful.

Dr Neil Anderson

Dr Anderson added: “Throughout my teaching, I have always sought to utilise innovation and technology to maximise accessibility whilst also providing the best possible student experience and a vibrant online student community. Using appropriate technology and a wide variety of learning materials, we aim to provide a highly engaging and interactive experience whilst also supporting easy access for all our students.”

Shortlisted team

A separate team at the School was also shortlisted in the teaching category, for their work in converting a practical orthopaedics surgery rotation into an engaging digital course.

The group of nine clinicians helped find ways to ensure that final year students could complete their clinical rotations – a crucial part of the undergraduate programme - when Covid-19 restrictions limited access to the Hospital for Small Animals. Their model included large and small group remote teaching, self-directed learning, video content and some face-to-face training, and allowed students to manage a single virtual orthopaedics case from initial consultation, through to surgery and postoperative care.

“Speaking on behalf of the entire small animal surgery team, we are extraordinarily proud to be shortlisted for this award. We appreciate how difficult the past two years have been for our students, including those postgraduate students who contributed to the development and delivery of this teaching while maintaining their own studies.

We are particularly humbled by the comments from our students, which reflect their appreciation of the consideration and effort went into developing and delivering the course by the team.

John Ryan and Professor Dylan Clements

Student support

Dr Glen Cousquer, Programme Co-ordinator for the MSc Conservation Medicine and MSc One Health programmes, was recognised for the second time running, for his focus on social Justice and sustainability.

Dr Cousquer encourages students to be critical in academic practice and embeds themes of sustainability and social justice in his teaching. He is committed to highlighting learning outside of the curriculum, particularly in the fields of conservation, protection of the environment and mental health.

My research and teaching practice is rooted in awareness-based systems change. I try to practise generosity and compassion in my thinking, speaking and acting and am grateful to my students for recognising my commitment and dedication.

Dr Glen Cousquer

Online education

The importance of online education has increased over the past couple of years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Programmes previously taught on campus had to quickly move to remote teaching using online platforms.

In addition to the undergraduate taught BVM&S programme, the School currently offers 13 postgraduate programmes, 12 of which are delivered online. As a result, staff are adept at developing accessible materials suitable for students from all over the world, In return, the School benefits from an international community of students.

In addition to the above winners and shortlisted nominees, a further 24 staff from the School were nominated for a variety of award categories including ‘Best Tutor, ‘Outstanding Course’, ‘Best Support Staff’ and ‘Best Teacher’.

Annual awards

The annual student led teaching awards, now in their 13th year, give students an opportunity to thank staff and celebrate the best of teaching and support at the University.

The awards recognise the pivotal role that staff play in the student experience, from lecturers and tutors, to supervisors, personal tutors and professional services staff.

Our goal with the Teaching Awards is to celebrate the very best of teaching and support at the University, but it is also important to us that the Awards reflect the diversity of community, and provide a space where staff who may not have access to more formal recognition can be rewarded for their work.

Tara Gold

This year, the EUSA awards team received more than 2,680 nominations from students. The winners were announced on Wednesday 25 May.

 

About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies  

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost fourteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.  

The School comprises:  

The Roslin Institute  

The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security  

The Roslin Innovation Centre  

The Hospital for Small Animals  

Equine Veterinary Services  

Farm Animal Services  

Easter Bush Pathology  

The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education  

We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge.