Dr Susan Way – Associate Professor in Midwifery at BU – has been awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship (NTF).
The NTF scheme celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.
“I was really excited and honoured to hear I’d been granted the Fellowship”, Susan said. “It’s such a competitive process with people from all over the UK applying, that I hadn’t expected it.”
“Looking ahead, the Fellowship will help me continue to influence midwifery education for the benefit of women and their babies through the high quality education students receive.
“Professor Debbie Holley was my mentor when I applied for a Fellowship and she was fantastic. In the future, I certainly want to share my experience and help mentor others to achieve this award, ensuring BU continues to be recognised for the high quality of teaching it delivers.”
Debbie Holley, Professor of Learning Innovation and the Head of the Centre of Excellence for Learning at BU - and a National Teaching Fellow herself - was delighted to hear about Susan’s achievement: “Not only does this this celebrate her fantastic contribution to supporting students and their learning within our own institution, but it also highlights that the impact and influence of her work is being recognised nationally and internationally.
“Our Fusion values of education, research and professional practice support our staff to achieve excellence at the highest level and Susan is a prime example of this.”
The award has been running since 2000 and there are now more than 815 National Teaching Fellows, with up to 55 individuals receiving the award each year. On gaining the award, fellows play an ongoing role in enhancing teaching and learning within their institution, the HE sector and further afield.
The National Teaching Fellowship tops off a whirlwind of a year for Susan, who was also awarded with a Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Fellowship over the summer. This was one of only eight Fellowships awarded, in recognition of her significant and sustained contribution to the profession through the education of students and continuing professional development of qualified staff.
Susan joins two other BU academics who have been awarded with National Teaching Fellowships in the past – Professor Debbie Holley and Professor Stephen Tee, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.
The Award will be presented to all the new National Teaching Fellows at a ceremony in Edinburgh this November.
