#AberSUCelebrates Lecturer of the Year

I was very much honoured to win the 'Lecturer of the Year' category last night at the #AberSUCelebrates awards.

That the award is entirely down to student nominations is what matters most, of course. I have no idea who nominated me - but thank you so much. If my teaching has made even a small positive difference to what you've learned during your time at Aberystwyth, I'm delighted.

Kate, me, and Dan enjoying the moment...

...and again!

I broadly remember saying three things in my (very brief!) acceptance speech. And I think they were along these lines:

1. To my students: teaching students who are intellectually engaged, who are willing to work hard, who are willing to think creatively and critically - well, it's made the whole thing a genuine pleasure. Thank you!
2. To my colleagues: this sort of award is never, really, an individual award. It almost always emerges from being part of a great team. So I'm incredibly grateful to be working alongside an array of such excellent people, and in a department that has such a good atmosphere. (To add a day-after thought here: this latter point is really important. The Department of English & Creative Writing at Aberystwyth is a hugely positive place to work - and much credit for fostering that atmosphere must go to our head of department, Dr Louise Marshall.)
3. About Aberystwyth: I hope the awards as a whole show that Aber is getting something right in terms of providing really strong teaching for our students. If we've helped deepen your intellectual life, strengthen your capacities for communication, broaden your skills to prepare you for the world beyond university...then that's wonderful. It's categorically what we're here to do. And we're committed to doing it better, year on year on year.

I think I also promised to speak for no more than thirty-five minutes...

Finally, kudos is unequivocally due to Emma Beenham, Academic Affairs Officer at Aber SU, for organising such a successful awards evening. It was all great fun!