Provost’s Teaching Awards in Recognition of TCD Lecturers’ Commitment to Teaching and Learning

Posted on: 09 May 2007

The Provost’s Teaching Awards in Trinity College Dublin were presented by TCD Provost Dr John Hegarty  on May 8th last to three members of staff in recognition of their excellence and commitment to quality teaching and learning. 

The recipients included Dr. Eric Finch, School of Physics, whose sustained commitment to teaching and learning as well as his inspirational teaching among academic colleagues within and beyond the institution, merited a Lifetime Achievement Award.  Mr Mark Monahan, School of Nursing and Midwifery, received an Early Career Award in recognition of exceptional dedication to the development of experiential and reflective modes of learning in psychiatric nursing.  Dr David Tombs, Irish School of Ecumenics, was the third recipient for his outstanding contribution to the scholarly development of lifelong and self-directed learning in the area of reconciliation studies.

“The commitment to teaching and learning which these recipients have demonstrated  has benefited hundreds of students’ lives. With these Awards, the College wishes to  recognise the invaluable contribution of these members of academic staff  in their pursuit of teaching excellence in College and their promotion of  teaching as a scholarly activity,” stated the TCD Provost, Dr John Hegarty at the presentation ceremony.

The candidates were selected through a rigorous process involving their nomination by their students or peers in College, an assessment of their teaching philosophy, practice and scholarship, an evaluation of their teaching portfolios, and consideration of review reports from their academic peers.  This process was overseen by the Provost’s Teaching Award Review Panel, comprising the Director of Centre for Academic Practice and Student Learning (CAPSL), three representatives of the academic staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and an external examiner who has the difficult task of selecting the winners.

The scheme is sponsored by the Higher Education Authority and funded under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.