Teaching innovation Awards 2023 logo

Learnsci Teaching Innocvation Awards 2023

The 2023 results have been announced!

Applications open November 2024

Phil and ed with their trophy in 2021
the 4 winning academics from glasgow who won in 2021
Helen and Joan holding their trophy from 2021
Dan and baven with their trophy from 2021

Our community celebrates and shares outstanding teaching practices. The LearnSci Teaching Innovation Awards support innovation that positively impacts on teaching quality and enhances student learning.

Winners & Finalists

Hear from our previous applicants

John Murray Interview
John Murray
University of Galway
Rebecca Flanagan Interview
Rebecca Flanagan
University of Wolverhampton
Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos interview
Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos
Maynooth University

How it works

Applicants are asked to demonstrate how they have led innovation in teaching and learning in their institution. Winners will be chosen by an expert scientific educational panel.

Meet the judges

Possible ways you may have innovated teaching and learning

  • Solving a problem by improving tools and methods
  • Improving teaching materials and practices
  • Developing new digital learning resources

We are looking for an emphasis in one or more of the areas below

These areas are not categories as such, we are not looking to choose a winner from each. Rather they are areas where we are interested to see how you are teaching innovatively - and your practice may even bridge two of these areas.

For our current partners

  • Employability and skills

    Use of LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets to support skill development of students, aiding employability prospects.

    The Chemistry department at Maynooth University established a badging initiative that increased student awareness of their skills and competency for employment through skills passports. Skill development opportunities identified for badging were explicitly sign-posted in lab manuals, and LabSims and Smart Worksheets were included as pre and post-lab assignments. Skills and award criteria were considered at module and not individual experiment level so activities which increased in complexity across the module were badged upon completion of more than one experiment. This project was announced as a 2022 winner.

    Show example
  • Creative innovation

    Creative innovation using LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets in teaching.

    In their winning 2022 entry, Becky Flanagan from the University of Wolverhampton showcased the collaborative Smart Worksheet development to support Crime Scene Investigation practical learning. This novel Smart Worksheet was the first to incorporate a 360 degree interactive element of a realistic crime scene students can use remotely. Becky's expertise and extensive experience in crime scene managment was crucially important when developing this transformative tool.

    Show example
  • Department-wide impact

    Innovation in teaching and learning across a whole department, using LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets.

    The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, at Glasgow Caledonian University, rolled out LabSims and Smart Worksheet resources to the whole department across undergraduate and masters level teaching. Dr. Catherine Wright and her colleagues' 2021 entry demonstrated how this was achieved, and the positive impact it had on student confidence.

    Show example
  • Evidence of impact

    High quality analysis of the impact of an implemented teaching and learning practice using LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets.

    The results of a 2 year study into the impact of use of LabSims at the University of Sydney and University of Leicester was shared in a 2021 entry. Thematic analysis of student responses within questionnaires and interviews was carried out. Results showed the ease of utilising the resources, students' correct visualisation of real-world equipment and techniques, and the lowering of in-class anxiety. This outstanding research by Dr. Stephen George-Williams, Dr. Richard Blackburn and colleagues resulted in publication in the Journal of Chemical Education.

    Show example
  • Progress

    Impressive development of a previous Teaching Innovation Awards applicant project.

    At the Royal Holloway University of London, the progression from initial implementation to deep integration of digital tools into courses was demonstrated in Teaching Innovation Award applications in 2020 and 2021. Dr. Jenny Murdoch showcased how their partnership with LearnSci and the usage of LabSims and Smart Worksheets, within the Department of Biological Sciences, has developed since 2018, resulting in improvements in student satisfaction, staff marking loads, and NSS scores.

    Show example

All other applicants

  • Wider innovation in science education

    Innovative use of digital tools to aid science teaching at university or post-16 level. Not including LearnSci resources.

    In their winning 2021 entry, the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory at the University of Birmingham showcased their lab-casting model. Whilst originally developed to provide a lab experience during a time of online learning, it has since enhanced student experience of in-person labs. Edd Kyi and colleagues demonstrated its multi-departmental applications, including accessible demonstrations and live technician to student feedback between fume cupboards.

    Show example

Get inspired

We are looking for an emphasis in one or more of the areas below. These are not categories as such; we are not looking to choose a winner from each. Rather they are areas where we are interested to see how you are teaching innovatively - and your practice may even bridge two of these areas.

Wider innovation in science education

Open to non partners

Innovative use of digital tools to aid science teaching at university or post-16 level. Not including LearnSci resources.

Progress

Open to previous awards applicants

Impressive development of a previous Teaching Innovation Awards applicant project.

Creative innovation

Open to current partners

Creative innovation using LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets in teaching.

Evidence of impact

Open to current partners

High quality analysis of the impact of an implemented teaching and learning practice using LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets.

Department-wide impact

Open to current partners

Innovation in teaching and learning across a whole department, using LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets.

Employability and skills

Open to current partners

Use of LabSims and/or Smart Worksheets to support skill development of students, aiding employability prospects.

What you'll get

Be featured within our community

Details of each innovation project made by applicants will be showcased on the LearnSci website to enable sharing of good practice within our community.

Cash prize for educational purposes

Winners will receive a £200 cash prize to be used for an educational purpose of their choice.

Opportunity to present

Winners get the opportunity to present at the renowned Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference which will be held at the University of Bristol in Summer 2024.

Handcrafted trophy

Winners also receive a handcrafted trophy by the Bristol-based glass blowing experts, Bristol Blue Glass.

Awards trust mark accredited logo

Accredited awards

The Teaching Innovation Awards are an accredited award scheme and hold The Independent Standards Council Trust Mark.

Register your interest

If you would like to be contacted about
application timeframes and details of future Teaching Innovation Awards, please submit your details here.

We’ll let you know all the details as soon as they are released.

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Stay up to date

If you would like to be contacted about the outcomes of this year, and details of future Teaching Innovation Awards, please submit your details here.

We’ll let you know all the details as soon as they are released.

Thank you! Your submission has been received and we'll be in touch.
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By submitting this form you agree to our terms and privacy policy. You can, of course, unsubscribe or request deletion of personal data at any time by contacting us.

The judging panel

Prof. Frances Heaney

Prof. Frances Heaney

Professor of Chemistry and Deputy Head of Department at Maynooth University and Secretary (joint) of the Chemistry Education Research Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Prof. Michael Davies-Coleman

Prof. Michael Davies-Coleman

Extraordinary Professor of the University of the Western Cape and Emeritus Professor of Rhodes University, Department of Chemistry

Prof. Dino Spagnoli

Prof. Dino Spagnoli

Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, School of Molecular Sciences

Prof. Nicola King

Prof. Nicola King

Associate-Pro Vice Chancellor for Education in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the University of Exeter

Prof. Dudley Shallcross

Prof. Dudley Shallcross

Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of Bristol and Former President of the Education Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Dr. Dee Scadden

Dr. Dee Scadden

Director of Teaching and Digital Learning, Dept of Biochemistry, and Director of Technology-enabled Learning, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

Are the awards accredited?
When will the winners be announced?
How are the winners decided?
Do I have to submit my application in a specific award area?
Can group applications be submitted?
How long should my application be?
Do I have to use LearnSci resources in my teaching to enter?
When can I apply?

Terms and conditions

Entries and eligibility:

  • Details provided must be a true and accurate representation of actions taken in real life.
  • The applicant(s) of the following award areas must currently work with LearnSci and be able to demonstrate how they have innovated teaching and learning using LearnSci resources: Employability and Skills, Department-Wide Impact, Evidence of impact, and Creative Innovation.
  • The applicant(s) of the Progress award area must have applied for previous Teaching Innovation Awards, and be able to demonstrate how they have continued to innovate teaching.
  • The applicant(s) of the Wider Innovation in Science Education award area must be associated with a university or post-16 educational institution that uses digital tools to innovate teaching and learning in the sciences.

Judging:

  • The decision of the judges is final. The judges reserve the right to re-classify or reject any entry that does not comply with the requirements.
  • Judges are requested to declare an interest and remove themselves from the process if they are asked to judge an entry that poses a conflict of interest.

Confidentiality:

  • LearnSci is committed to your privacy.
  • All entries will be stored securely and access to these by the judges will be strictly monitored.
  • Winner details (name, institution, project overview) will be announced on our website and social media pages.
  • LearnSci will not provide your personal information to any other organisation for the purpose of direct marketing and will take reasonable precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information.

Dissemination:

  • By submitting, the applicant(s) agree(s) to allow LearnSci to use their name and the overall details of their project to promote and disseminate best practices in the community.
  • Access to resources mentioned within entries will not be shared publicly.