Vice Chancellor’s Teaching/Research Awards Process

Graduation ceremonies take place in July and again in December annually

Aim

  • To recognise and celebrate staff (individually or in teams) whose teaching/research is of a particularly high standard, and/or innovative
  • To encourage the dissemination of good practice

(NB Teaching/research here refers not simply to classroom/lecture theatre/lab teaching, but could include supervision of workplace learning, fieldwork or research supervision)

 

Number of Awards

  • The University will make a teaching award/s per School, and a research award per Faculty
  • Each award will carry an honorarium of £1000, to be paid direct to the individual member of staff or team, or into a services rendered account, depending on the individual’s/team’s choice

 

Condition

  • The individual or team must be employed by the University

 

Objectives

  • To encourage innovation
  • To improve the learning environment for students through the development of high quality teaching practices or products
  • To foster student satisfaction with the learning environment
  • To support staff in their external efforts through internal recognition of exemplary practice
  • To encourage the development of research led teaching

 

Selection Criteria

Panellists will look for evidence from a range of sources (e.g. students, the Staff Student Liaison Committee, colleagues in Southampton or elsewhere, external examiners, Learning and Teaching Coordinators) that the teaching/research meets some or all of the following criteria:

  • Supports the main aims of the University L&T Strategy (e.g. linking teaching and research, promoting employability or inclusivity)
  • Makes a difference to student learning
  • Links research and teaching
  • Is appreciated by students
  • Is innovative
  • Could be used by others

Application Process

Each School’s pro forma is to be submitted by the sponsor to the Deputy Head of School by the beginning of March. Decisions will be made by the end of April.

 

Selection Panel

Within each School, a group of colleagues is to be convened chaired by the Deputy Head of School Education. The composition will vary from School to School. Likely members might be a Head of School, a Programme Director or equivalent, a School or Faculty Learning and Teaching Coordinator, a student rep, an Associate Dean and a lecturer from another School. The group will evaluate applicants against University-wide selection criteria (above). The evaluation panel will write a short statement explaining their choice of award winner.

The Chair of the panel (i.e. the Deputy Head of School) must send the name of the successful recipient(s) to the VC's Office by the first Friday in May.

 

Celebration

The individual or team selected will be presented with an award certificate at the appropriate graduation ceremony in July/December.  It is expected that the successful recipient(s) of the award will attend their School’s graduation ceremony and be seated with the rest of the School’s academic staff as part of the platform party.  NB 2/3 seats on platform have specifically been allocated for teaching/research awards by the Graduation Team. 

The recipients will wear appropriate academic robes and request this through their School’s Graduation Staff Participation Co-ordinator in the normal manner by the first Friday in  June/December.

At the end of the School’s graduation ceremony, the recipient(s) will receive their awards from the Vice-Chancellor/Presiding Officer in front of graduands, their families and friends.

NB If Schools have more than one ceremony, then the Deputy Head of School must inform the Graduation Team by first Friday in May/First Friday in October at which ceremony they wish the presentations to be made. 

Please email: Gradstaf@soton.ac.uk 

 

Publicity

The awards and award holders will be publicised on the University website, School visit days, and University open days etc.

 

Enquiries:

If you have any enquiries concerning arrangements for graduation, especially if you have any additional health requirements yourself (mobility, hearing, visual or dietary) please contact the Graduation Team: Gradstaf@soton.ac.uk