05/07/07
Dr Gaynor Sadlo, head of occupational therapy at the university, has won a prestigious national teaching prize in recognition of her outstanding contribution to teaching and learning.
Dr Sadlo is one of 50 academic staff in England and Northern Ireland to be selected by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) as a 2007 National Teaching Fellow. Each new fellow has been awarded £10,000 to be used to support further developments to enhance learning and teaching.
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) recognises and rewards teachers and learning support staff in higher education for excellence in teaching.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Stuart Laing, described Dr Sadlo as; “a genuinely international star, a pioneer, a prophet, a magnificent practitioner and a serious scholar of problem-based learning”.
There is plenty of evidence from students, academic colleagues and health practitioners that Dr Sadlo is a very skilful and intuitive teacher. She specialises in designing every class around real-life situations, which are more captivating for students.
Her methods use very active student-centred small groups to promote life-long learning, essential today’s world. Indeed, she has contributed some very influential pieces to the pedagogic problem-based learning research literature.
Dr Sadlo and her colleagues prepare all learning materials in partnership
with practitioners and service users. She believes in the pleasures
of learning, but always in the service of social purpose.
Dr Sadlo said: “I see my role as stretching and challenging students
but in a very supportive way. I try to create an atmosphere of mixing fun
and empowerment, where all participants contribute and learn from each
other.”
The award winners were chosen from 223 nominations submitted by higher education institutions across England and Northern Ireland. Dr Sadlo is the fourth member of staff from the university to receive the coveted award.
Funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DELNI), the Fellows will receive their awards at a ceremony in London on 19 September 2007.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
