Teaching Excellence in Sociology
We place great emphasis on excellence in learning and teaching, and we have been recognised for our contribution in this area. Our staff are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy, and members of our team have received prestigious Teaching Excellence Awards for their work.
Fellows of the Higher Education Academy
Our team members are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). This scheme recognises excellence in professional development, and serves as an internationally-recognised badge for our success.
You can find out more about the HEA by visiting the Higher Education Academy website.
Teaching excellence awards
Canterbury Christ Church University’s Teaching Excellence Awards recognise excellence in learning and teaching, and are only awarded to members of staff who have enhanced and transformed the student learning experience both within their Faculty, and the wider institution.
These prestigious awards are only conferred upon four members of staff each year, and we are proud that two members of the Sociology team have been awarded prizes in recent years.
In 2011 Senior Lecturer Peter Watts received his prize for his range of initiatives to support students making the transition to undergraduate study. This includes termly ‘Personal Development Planning’ tutorials in which Peter helps students reflect on their work, set personal goals and begin to develop as autonomous learners.
Meanwhile, in 2014 Principal Lecturer Sarah Cant received her Teaching Excellence Award for her work developing humane education and employability. This included developing modules that emphasis the applied aspects of Sociology, providing students with opportunities to ‘produce’ rather than consume knowledge, and become active, responsible citizens.
National recognition
As further evidence of our commitment to learning and teaching, in 2011 we were awarded the National Award for Excellence in Teaching Sociology. We received this award on behalf of the British Sociological Association (BSA) and the Subject Network for Learning and Teaching Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (C-SAP).
This award recognised our work in innovative learning, teaching and assessment initiative, and the way we have responded to students’ changing expectations to facilitate greater academic, social and cultural integration among Sociology students.