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University of Leeds Teaching Awards

About the awards

Our University of Leeds Teaching Awards scheme celebrates excellent practice in student education and recognises the importance of teaching and learning as a scholarly activity.

Research universities like the University of Leeds are unique in their ability to provide transformative learning experiences that are also research-led and therefore engage students in the collaborative work of understanding our world. Our staff who teach and support learning are at the heart of this endeavour, working in partnership with our students to provide an inspiring, challenging and supportive environment that enables them to achieve their ambitions. The University of Leeds Teaching Awards recognise individual and collaborative excellence in student education, and this year they provide a great opportunity to recognise the good work and innovation which is contributing to achieving our Curriculum Redefined ambitions. Identifying excellent work happening around us and taking the time to recognise and reward our colleagues is an important, collegial and fun way to build community. I look forward to seeing applications from colleagues across the institution.

Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education

Award winners (2021-2023)

Applications for the University of Leeds Teaching Awards 

Applications are now closed for the 2023 awards and the winners have now been announced. Application information for our 2024 awards will be made available on this page.

In the meantime, we have provided application information below from 2023, whilst much of this will stay the same there will be updated guidance for the 2024 awards.

Eligibility

Applications are open to all colleagues who satisfy the following criteria:

  • you are an employee of the University of Leeds (colleagues from either faculties or professional services can apply)
  • your role involves teaching or supporting the student learning experience
  • you must be able to demonstrate exceptional impact in student education
  • apply before the specified deadline

Our further guidance document and FAQs document provide more information about eligibility. In addition, you can find out more by watching the recording of the awards briefing session (Opens in Stream) from Thursday 9 February 2023, which includes the experience of Suzanne Young, winner in the Sustained Excellence category 2022.

You can also watch a recording of Alice Shepherd (Opens in Stream), winner in the Sustained Excellence category 2021, talking about her experience.  

Our Teaching Awards prize

If you are successful in winning one of our University of Leeds Teaching Awards, you will receive:

  • A grant which you can use to support your professional development and scholarship, e.g. to cover the cost of attending relevant conferences or events
  • A certificate
  • An invitation to a celebratory event hosted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Education).

In addition, as a winner in the Sustained Excellence and Sustained Collaborative Categories, you will have access to guidance and support provided for the National Teaching Fellow and Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence schemes.

Categories of Award  

There are four categories of awards:

  1. Early Career University of Leeds Teaching Award: for staff with up to five years' experience of teaching or supporting learning in higher education. A maximum of three awards will be made in this category, with each winner receiving £2000.
  2. Sustained Excellence University of Leeds Teaching Award:  for colleagues with more than five years’ experience. A maximum of three awards will be made in this category, with each winner receiving £2000.
  3. Early-Stage Collaborative Excellence University of Leeds Teaching Award: for teams of staff in newly established collaborations (up to 3 years). A maximum of two awards will be made in this category, with each team receiving £500 per contributor (up to a maximum of £4000).
  4. Sustained Collaborative Excellence University of Leeds Teaching Award: for teams of staff in more established collaborations (more than 3 years). A maximum of two awards will be made in this category, with each team receiving £500 per contributor (up to a maximum of £4000).

Applying for the University of Leeds Teaching Awards

Applications can be either via a written or recorded presentation route. Further guidance on both routes can be found below:

The following also applies, depending upon the category of award you are applying for:

  • Early Career and Sustained Excellence: your claim needs to address how you have enhanced student learning; supported colleagues and influenced support for student learning; and your commitment to maintaining the currency of your practice.
  • Early-Stage Collaborative Excellence: your collaborative excellence claim needs to address how you have enhanced student learning and your excellence in collaboration and team working.
  • Sustained Collaborative Excellence: your collaborative excellence claim needs to address how you have enhanced student learning; supported colleagues and influenced support for student learning; and your excellence in collaboration and team working.

Further Guidance and FAQs

For further information please see the following guidance documents and FAQs, the award criteria and marking information (this includes details of the weighting for each section of an application), and details on applying for a mentor.

Get support with your application from a mentor. A mentor could provide support and advice and help you to develop and showcase teaching excellence and to present your experiences in an effective application. If you are interested in being paired with a mentor please complete the request form above. This support is subject to the availability of our mentors.

*Please note these were documents for the 2023 awards, new updated guidance will be provided for the 2024 awards once applications are open.

You can find out more by watching the recording of the awards briefing session (Opens in Stream) from February 2023, which includes the experience of Suzanne Young, winner in the Sustained Excellence category 2022. You can also watch a recording of Alice Shepherd (Opens in Stream), winner in the Sustained Excellence category 2021, talking about her experience.

Application forms and submission

Application forms, guidance on the recorded presentation route and details of how to submit your written or recorded application can be found in the Further guidance for applicants document (Opens in Word)*

*Please note this document was used for the 2023 awards, new updated guidance will be provided for the 2024 awards once applications are open.

Selection of the Award Winners 

Applications are reviewed by the University Panel. The panel includes: Pro-deans for Student Education or their nominee, Student Union Education Officer, Professional Service representatives, chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor or their nominee.

If you are successful in one year, you can be nominated again, however, your application must be for a different category and based on distinctly different teaching and support activities.

Find out more

If you have any questions about our University of Leeds Teaching Awards, please email peopledev@leeds.ac.uk.