Newsroom University of Manchester

University teaching stars celebrate double win in national awards

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:05:07 +0100

The University of Manchester’s teaching staff are celebrating two prestigious national award wins, the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) and an appointment to the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme.

For the second year in a row, the University of Manchester has been awarded the CATE by Advance HE - with this year’s accolade going to The University of Manchester Library Student Team (UMLST). Developed and led by , Head of Teaching and Learning Development for the University of Manchester Library and the University’s Academic Lead for Student Success, UMLST is a driving force behind student-led teaching and learning activity in the Library.

This year’s CATE award makes Jennie, also a National Teaching Fellow, the University’s first ever recipient of both accolades. Student members of the team have also been recognised for their own individual achievements with Fellow and Senior Fellow accreditation from Advance HE.

Under the UMLST model, current students work collaboratively with University staff over extended periods of time to enhance Library services, create inclusive learning resources such as the award-winning My Learning Essentials academic skills programme, and foster a welcoming, supportive environment for students. Student members take the lead on initiatives that give their peers a powerful voice and represent the diversity of the communities found at 91ֱ��, taking part in local outreach sessions and workshops at national conferences. UMLST members also participate in consultations and contribute to shaping University-wide policies and practices, and their influence is felt across the whole institution, driving positive change and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

UMLST student member Durian (Divya) Malhotra said: “Every day is always so exciting, and with a wonderful team to support you every step of the way, you’re never alone. Being an ST has made me feel like my voice as a student has made a truly important impact at the University.”

The University is also celebrating the announcement of a new National Teaching Fellow among its ranks this year. , Senior Language Tutor in the , is passionate about promoting research-informed approaches to language teaching and fostering the development of learning communities. Across the UK, Europe and China, she is recognised for her expertise in multimodal interactive learning pedagogy, language for specific purposes and intercultural communication.

Minjie was previously a professor of Applied Linguistics at the Harbin Institute of Technology in China. She was also a guest professor at Shanghai Jiaotong University and Zhejiang University. After pursuing her PhD in Multimedia Language Learning in the UK under a full scholarship fund, she started teaching Chinese at Nottingham University before joining the team at 91ֱ��.

With her extensive knowledge and experience, Minjie has made an outstanding impact at the University. Her focus on ‘real-life’ language learning promotes connections between native speakers and non-native speakers, helping to build intercultural understanding through friendships.

91ֱ�� is one of a few British universities with a significant and popular offering in Chinese Studies that caters for all levels– in no small part down to Minjie’s high standards and strong professional networks. She is incredibly active in outreach activities too, bringing the joy of language learning to schools, colleges and the local community.

Alison Johns, Advance HE Chief Executive, said: “We know that higher education has the power to transform lives but this doesn’t happen by default. Outstanding teaching is the result of knowledge, commitment, passion, energy and creativity. All of these 2024 winners demonstrate these attributes and put them into practice with excellent results.

“It is vital for student success that we invest in higher education teaching and promote the value of excellence. Congratulations to each and every one of you for this prestigious prize.”

The 2024 Awards Ceremony will be held at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh on Thursday 3^rd October.

The University of Manchester Library achieves Archive Service Accreditation

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 14:05:49 +0100

The University of Manchester Library has been awarded Archive Service Accreditation.

Accredited Archive Services ensure the long-term collection, preservation and accessibility of our archive heritage. Accreditation is the UK quality standard which recognises good performance in all areas of archive service delivery. Achieving accredited status demonstrates that The University of Manchester Library has met clearly defined national standards relating to management and resourcing, the care of its unique collections and what the service offers to its entire range of users.

The University of Manchester Library holds one of the largest and most diverse collections of archives in the UK, spanning many centuries and covering a vast range of subjects. The archives are managed by a team of professional archivists and other specialists within the Library’s Curatorial Practices Directorate.

The Accreditation Panel said it “welcomed this application from a highly effective service which has done impressive work in its strategic positioning, with staff skills and in provision for its collections in all formats. They considered the service highly accreditable, and congratulated the team on the strength of their work.”

Highlights of the archives include:

The archives of Hester Thrale-Piozzi, friend of Samuel Johnson and the centre of a brilliant literary circle, and of Mary Hamilton, Georgian royal governess, diarist and bluestocking.
Papers of the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, including literary manuscripts and correspondence with Charles Dickens and Charlotte and Patrick Brontë, and the papers of other 19^th-century literary figures such as George Gissing and John Ruskin.
A host of modern literary archives, including the vast paper and digital archives of Carcanet Press, renowned poetry publisher.
An increasing number of popular culture and counter-culture archives including those of Jeff Nuttall and Dave Cunliffe.
The most important collections in the world relating to the history of Methodism, including the connexional archives of the Methodist Church in Britain and the largest collection of papers of John and Charles Wesley, as well as the world's largest archive relating to the Plymouth Brethren.
Major scientific and medical archives, including the papers of John Dalton, James Joule, Sir Harry Platt and Nobel laureate Sir Konstantin (Kostya) Novoselov, as well as archives relating to 91ֱ��’s pioneering role in the development of computing and the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank.
Industrial archives relating to the Lancashire cotton industry including those of Rylands & Sons.
The vast archive of the (91ֱ��) Guardian newspaper, a key resource for international affairs in the late 19^th century and first half of the 20^th century.

Library staff member highly commended at University awards

Tue, 07 May 2019 10:21:40 +0100

The Library’s Data Specialist, Phil Reed, was highly commended at the University’s Volunteer of the Year Awards as staff, students and alumni came together to recognise extraordinary volunteering contributions across a diverse range of projects.

Phil was shortlisted through his work with the in the Upper Calder Valley, who introduce local residents to the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle through outreach programmes, cookery demonstrations, events, recipe swaps and more.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice Chancellor, gave out the Awards in a ceremony which took place in Whitworth Hall. A range of causes were supported including adults with disabilities, the homeless and international development. The overall winners in each category received the University Medal for Social Responsibility, part of the suite of established President's Distinguished Achievement Awards.

Find out more about the .

Library Student Team recognised by prestigious University awards

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 10:51:34 +0100

The Library Student Team has been highly commended by the Distinguished Achievement Awards judging panel, chaired by the Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Hackett, in the Large Team Category.

Library Learning Development Assistant Kit Lawrence leads a team of 19 students, who work part-time in the Library around their studies and represent all facets of the University’s student body. They develop training resources and deliver sessions for My Learning Essentials and the Library’s Widening Participation activity; lead on project work; create online content and more; all to support the staff and students at The University of Manchester.

In a record year for the numbers of nominations received, and where the quality was the highest it has ever been, this really is a great achievement. Patrick wrote to the team to offer his congratulations and also to send each member a gift voucher as a token of appreciation.

Teaching excellence at the Library

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 09:00:00 +0100

The Library’s Learning Development Manager Jennie Blake has been recognised for her outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession by being named as a National Teaching Fellow.

is the country’s most prestigious awards for teaching and learning excellence. They are given out annually by – a national body whose purpose is to advance the professional practice of higher education to improve outcomes for the benefit of students, staff and society.

Taking one of just two awards given to the University this year, Jennie is responsible for creating the University’s award-winning . This is a skills support programme that is internationally recognised as an example of best practice. Featuring online resources, workshops and training for students it covers a wide range of subjects relevant to learning at 91ֱ��, from revising and assignments to self-awareness and wellbeing.The programme is also widely used outside of the University with people accessing it all over the world. This has even included people accessing pages via links posted on the Whitehouse.gov domain.

Jan Wilkinson, who recently retired as University Librarian and Director of The John Rylands Library, said:

Two recognised for contributions to teaching excellence at 91ֱ��

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 12:42:00 +0100

Two members of staff at The University of Manchester have been recognised for their outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession by being named as National Teaching Fellows.

The awards have been given to Jennie Blake, Learning Development Manager at the University Library, and Professor Caroline Bowsher, Professor of Biology and Deputy Associate Dean for Pedagogical Development in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH).

The National Teaching Fellowships Scheme is the country’s most prestigious awards for teaching and learning excellence. They are given out annually by Advance HE – a national body whose purpose is to advance the professional practice of higher education to improve outcomes for the benefit of students, staff and society.

Jennie Blake is responsible for creating the University’s award-winning ‘’. This is a skills support programme that is internationally recognised as an example of best practice. Featuring online resources, workshops and training for students it covers a wide range of subjects relevant to learning at 91ֱ��, from revising and assignments to self-awareness and wellbeing.

The programme is also widely used outside of the University with people accessing it all over the world. This has even included people accessing pages via links posted on the Whitehouse.gov domain.

Professor Clive Agnew, Vice-President of Teaching, Learning and Students at The University of Manchester said: “Jennie has brought phenomenal energy and positivity to a programme of work that is actively disrupting traditional thinking about teaching approaches in our schools.”

As Dean for Pedagogical Development in FBMH, Professor Bowsher recenlty introduced an inclusive Teaching and Learning Development Framework to the University. It provides flexible opportunities for individuals, including staff on or off campus, that support career progression. The Framework also links that progression to internal and external priorities, such as promotion and TEF criteria.

The Framework has had an immediate impact in supporting participants skill development and sharing best practice across the University. It has also identified more experienced participants as either ‘mentors’ or ‘experts’ who can work with fellow staff members.

Professor Bowsher is also leading a University wide project developing a ‘Smarter Curriculum’ which includes approaches to make Teaching, Learning and assessment more effective to help maximize student engagement and success.

On receiving her award she said: “I am very pleased and extremely honoured to be recognised through the award of a National Teaching Fellowship.”

The two new Fellowships bring the total awarded to 91ֱ�� since 2013 to eight:

2017: Professor Judy Williams and Dr Colin Lumsden
2015: Marcia Ody
2014: Dr Jill Barber and Professor Wendy McCracken
2013: Professor Philip Keeley

Blackboard Catalyst Award 2017

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 23:00:00 +0100

The University of Manchester Library’s contribution to Widening Participation (WP) through its My Learning Essentials (MLE) resources has been recognised with a Catalyst Award for Community Engagement, awarded by Blackboard Inc.

This award for the Library’s WP service in partnership with the University’s Widening Participation and Outreach Team showcases the use of MLE’s eLearning and blended learning approaches to improve quality, scale and reach in three programmes of WP activity with successful outcomes: 91ֱ�� Access Programme (MAP), 91ֱ�� Distance Access Scheme (MDAS) and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Blackboard is an education technology company which the University of Manchester uses for its teaching, learning and student engagement. The annual Catalyst Awards recognise innovation and excellence in the Blackboard global community of practice.

The Community Engagement Award recognises those institutions who are dedicated to improving student achievement by fostering a connection between school districts, institutions, educators, students, and their communities.

Katy Woolfenden, Head of Teaching, Learning and Students at The University of Manchester Library, said:

Stephanie Lee, Head of Widening Participation and Outreach at The University of Manchester, said:

The University of Manchester Library was one of three institutions in the UK to win an award which was presented at , Blackboard’s annual user conference, in New Orleans on 26 July.

Katy Woolfenden added: