Dr Alessandro Garcia

STAFF PRIZES 2006

AWARD WINNERS

COMMUNITY PRIZES

Margaret Eddowes, Library Assistant (Resources)

The prize was awarded in recognition of Margaret Eddowes’ outstanding contributions to the Scouting movement over a period of 28 years. She has demonstrated commitment and enthusiasm in pursuing the aims of Scouting: “to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.” In encouraging local young people to develop to their full potential, she has helped to make the Lancaster community a healthier place.

Miriam Murtin, Research Associate, Palatine (LICA)

This prize was awarded for Miriam Murtin’s key role in the instigation, planning and facilitation of events during Lancaster’s first Pride Week in December 2005. Lancaster Pride set out to: “raise awareness and celebrate diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people while fostering safety for these individuals, their families and communities.” Its success was due in no small part to her inspiration, leadership, generosity and tenacity.

COMMERCIALISATION PRIZES

Professor Kevin Jones and Dr Kirk Semple (Joint Winners) Environmental Science

This award recognises work on land, water and air contamination and soil remediation, using Research Council and CASE funding, to develop long-term links with industry and obtain substantial funding from that source. The panel were impressed by their shared ability and willingness to recognise and capitalise on the potential industrial applications of your research activities and the ways in which their work enhances the reputation of the university.

Dr Fiona Benson, Professor David Allsop and Dr Jenny Harding (Joint Winners) Biological Sciences

This award recognises the work leading to the licensing agreements with Sigma-Aldrich. The panel was impressed by the winners’ ability, willingness and tenacity to follow through a research-driven discovery with an external organisation. The members recognised the additional effort made to make this transition effective, and the benefits to the university’s reputation that it brings.

MEDIA & COMMUNICATION PRIZE

The prize has been awarded to Dr Stephen Pumfrey, History and Professor David Denver, Politics and International Relations.

Dr Stephen Pumfrey was nominated in recognition of his growing reputation as an interpreter of the history of science to the general public. His ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner has been recognised in contributions to BBC Radio 4's flagship programme, 'In Our Time'. He has become so well know for his work on William Gilbert that he is the expert to whom the media automatically turn.

Professor David Denver was nominated for an award for his role in raising the external profile of the University and department of Politics and International Relations through media work. He appears frequently on TV and radio including Newsnight and Radio 4 commenting on aspects of British politics, especially elections and has also written pieces for and been extensively quoted in, the national press. During the election campaign he contributed five substantial articles to the Herald, the best selling broadsheet in Scotland, and on election night was chief 'pundit' on BBC Scotland's TV election results programme.

TEACHING PRIZES

Dr Sally Bushell, English & Creative Writing

This award is for continuing excellence in teaching and course design and for Dr Bushell’s contribution to pedagogic discussion nationally. Her approach is student focused, giving opportunities for students to work both individually and collaboratively in researching, evaluating and developing resources and has transformed the way in which Romantics is taught within the Department. Dr Bushell has also published essays for the English Subject Centre on teaching living poetry and has been invited to give a master class on the teaching of poetry.

Dr Bela Chatterjee, Law School

The Sir Alistair Pilkington Award is awarded for Dr Chatterjee’s work on ‘Sexualties and the Law’. Dr Chatterjee radically redesigned this course in order to promote best practice in equality in learning. She uses a wide range of sympathetic and sensitive teaching strategies and approaches, as well as other novel innovations, such as modelling the course handbook on a web page design, role-playing and using fancy dress to create atmosphere! There is also a dedicated web space where students can openly and safely articulate their reflections on the law and sexuality. The course is being used as a basis for a UKCLE case study into e-learning.

Dr Willem Hollmann, Department of Linguistics

The Sir Alistair Pilkington Award for undergraduate teaching was awarded to Dr Hollman, who was nominated by two third year students for being an innovative and creative teacher. Dr Hollman has made potentially difficult linguistic subjects traditionally considered by students to be ‘hard’ and ‘abstract’ accessible and even enjoyable, showing how ‘theoretical’ areas of linguistics are very much connected to the real world by the use of television clips and web based examples. As one student commented, “I had never thought that a grammar lesson could be taught in such a lively way.” His influence is now such that his innovations are being adopted by other members of staff.

Professor Geraint Johnes, Department of Economics

Professor Johnes was nominated for possessing ‘star quality’ and for the inspiring impact he has on all students, from undergraduates to MBAs. Professor Johnes achieves a real sense of individual contact through novel use of movement when teaching large classes and receives consistently outstanding student feedback scores. He has made extensive use of the web for many years, including interactive javascripted multiple choice questions, a discussion forum and an experimental model of the UK macroeconomy and has collaborated with colleagues overseas to establish a project which allows students to participate in discussions on globalisation.

RESEARCH PRIZE

Dr Alessandro Garcia, Computing

The award recognises Dr Garcia’s pioneering research, establishing Lancaster as one of the internationally leading research institutions in empirical evaluation of aspect-oriented software development techniques through high quality research output and leadership in this field. It is particularly impressive that he has made such a large impact so early in his career. The profile of the University has been strongly enhanced due to this.

23 June 2006