Brunel University students have presented Student-Led Teaching Awards to staff who stand out for the excellent teaching and support they offer.
The Awards, presented as part of the University’s annual Learning and Teaching Symposium on 1 May, included a Lifetime Achievement accolade for Paul Turnock, Director of the University’s undergraduate Product Design courses, in recognition of his inspirational, industry-led teaching.
Known to his students as ‘PT’, Turnock received 50 nominations from students who praised his “infectious” passion for design and his “character, dedication, knowledge and expertise”. “For me, PT was the reason I chose Brunel over other universities,” one nomination read. “Nowhere else had anyone anywhere near as passionate about the subject and who could convey that passion to everyone listening to him.” Another student commented: “He pushes us to achieve our best and to keep Brunel as one of the top Design universities in the country.”
Students also recognised the value of the annual Made in Brunel design and engineering graduate showcase, created by Turnock, in introducing them to real life client projects and increasing exposure and networking opportunities for the next generation of designers and engineers. Made in Brunel is led by a team of final year engineering and design students and culminates in a four-day show held in central London in June each year, in which students exhibit their final year project work and have the opportunity to engage industry representatives.
Now in their second year, the Student-Led Teaching Awards reward staff who excel in categories including ‘Innovative Teaching’, ‘Supervisor of the Year’, ‘Outstanding Admin and Support’ and ‘Student Teacher of the Year’. 532 student nominations were received across the 10 categories, and winners included Professor of Contemporary Thought Will Self in the ‘Exceptional Module’ category for his unique undergraduate Psychogeography module, which explores the psychological and political relationship between the built and the natural environment.
The Student-Led Teaching Awards is a national scheme founded by the National Union of Students (NUS) and Higher Education Academy (HEA). This year’s awards were sponsored by Endsleigh.