News | 8 August 2024
Two academic staff members at Cardiff Metropolitan University have been recognised for demonstrating excellence in learning and teaching.
Dr Fiona Carroll and Dr Esyin Chew
Dr Fiona Carroll, Reader in Human Computer Interaction and Dr Esyin Chew, Reader in Robotics and Educational Technologies, have been notified of their successful recognition as National Teaching Fellows by Advance HE.
Advance HE is a member-led charity of and for the Higher Education (HE) sector and receives nominations for the award of National Teaching Fellow from universities across the UK each year. Both Fiona and Esyin, members of teaching staff within the Cardiff School of Technologies (CST), one of five academic schools within the University, submitted their claim for National Teaching Fellowship in March.
Supported by colleagues from the Quality Enhancement Directorate (QED) and the School’s administration teams, Dr Carroll and Dr Chew were able to provide demonstrable evidence of their excellence in learning and teaching. Measured against the criteria of impact, value and reach, successful National Teaching Fellows are recognised for their work in enhancing the student experience of learning and teaching, developing excellence in others, and for committing to ongoing professional development of their own.
Dr Carroll, an expert in Human-Computer Interaction has a proven track record of both teaching and research excellence spanning over twenty years in the sector. Dr Carroll was commended by Advance HE for her commitment to developing students’ sense of belonging through her design-thinking pedagogical approaches, but was also celebrated for her ongoing support of women in STEM. Speaking about the award of NTF, Fiona commented, “Receiving the 2024 National Teaching Fellowship is an incredible honour that highlights my dedication to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and research-informed teaching in higher education. I am extremely grateful to Mike Castle and Laura West-Burnham (QED), Professor Jon Platts, Dean of CST, and the entire CST team for their relentless support, which has been instrumental in this achievement.
“Thank you to Cardiff Met for enabling my vision and contributing to our shared success in continually enhancing the educational experience for our students.”
Dr Esyin Chew, an expert in robotics and educational technologies, was also recognised for her mentorship of students and other staff members, particularly women in STEM fields. The award of NTF follows other recent success for Dr Chew, who won the ‘Outstanding Supervisor of the Year’ award for her excellence in doctoral supervision. Dr Chew was also recently nominated for the Times Higher Education Awards in the category of Most Innovative Teacher of the Year.
Speaking about her recognition as NTF, Dr Chew said: “I am incredibly humbled to receive this award. My heart-felt thanks must go to my two daughters, who have taught me what life is all about. Thanks to my fellow colleagues, coaches, and students who have supported my work. I am also grateful to Cardiff Met’s senior women leaders and the Quality Enhancement Directorate who valued my hard work and supported the NTF application.”
This year’s National Teaching Fellowship success arrives shortly after Cardiff Metropolitan University finished in the top 4 Universities in Wales for National Student Satisfaction, reaching an overall satisfaction rate of 81 per cent, an 8 per cent rise on the previous survey result.
President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Rachael Langford said: “I am absolutely delighted for our Cardiff School of Technologies colleagues, Fiona and Esyin, whose deep-rooted commitment to student success and pedagogical innovation is rightly rewarded in these prestigious, life-long NTF awards.
“At Cardiff Metropolitan University, we seek to put student success at the heart of everything we do, and the National Teaching Fellowship awards to Fiona and Esyin provide national recognition for their work to bring this aspiration to life through teaching and learning practice.”
