Professor Matthew Almond awarded National Teaching Fellowship

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Congratulations to Matthew Almond, Professor of Chemistry Education, who has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship. Professor Almond is one of 55 recipients of this year's award, which is presented by the Higher Education Academy to celebrate individuals who make an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning and the student experience.

Professor Matthew Almond is recognised as an outstanding higher-education practitioner. He has worked with students across a wide range of academic disciplines to enhance the student learning experience. Matthew's teaching ethos is focused around the students as ‘partners' and combining ‘old and ‘new'. His approach was instrumental in the introduction of technology-enhanced learning at the University of Reading.

Professor Almond said: "I am delighted to receive this recognition which reflects the impact of my work in teaching Chemistry at Reading for almost 30 years. The support I received from students for my nomination was overwhelming. One of my guiding principles which underpins all that I do is the concept of ‘Students as Partners' which I'm proud to have embraced long before the idea gained wide acceptance across the sector. This involves working alongside students, developing not only their subject-specific knowledge but also transferable skills and research expertise."

Matthew has won several awards for his teaching excellence. In 20I0 and 2013 he won the Reading University Students' Union student-led teaching award for best lecturer in the Faculty of Life Sciences. His Reading career has seen him take on a large number of important professional roles including Head of Department of Chemistry, School Director of Teaching and Learning within the School of Chemistry, Food Sciences and Pharmacy. Matthew is now Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science.

Professor Gavin Brooks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, said: "I am delighted that the Higher Education Academy has recognised Matthew Almond's contribution to the teaching and learning community. This award is well deserved. Matthew has dedicated much of his career to promoting and enhancing teaching excellence.

"Matthew's work has led to national and international recognition. He is an external examiner at three institutions and carries important roles with a number of professional bodies such as Royal Society of Chemistry, Higher Education Academy and Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. He has taught at several overseas universities, including Auckland, New Zealand and NUIST, Nanjing, China. These appointments demonstrate his commitment to using his experience to lead and mentor others and to ensure that good practice is disseminated as widely as possible."

This year the successful National Teaching Fellows were chosen from over 180 nominations submitted by higher education institutions across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Each will receive an award of £10,000 which will be used to support their professional development in teaching and learning or aspects of pedagogy.

Successful nominees were nominated by their institutions and submissions had to show evidence of three criteria: individual excellence, raising the profile of excellence and developing excellence.