Faculty of Humanities celebrates exceptional colleagues at annual Outstanding Staff Awards
30 Oct 2026
More than 300 student nominations recognised colleagues making a difference across teaching, learning and student experience at this year’s Humanities Outstanding Staff Awards.
Colleagues from across Humanities came together on Wednesday 21 October to celebrate the 2025/26 Outstanding Staff Awards for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience, recognising the staff and teams making a positive difference to students across the Faculty.
Students submitted 334 nominations across eight award categories, an increase of around 200% on last year. Eight winners and 47 highly commended nominees were recognised following consideration by a Faculty panel. A new Outstanding Inclusive Teaching and Learning Award was also introduced this year following feedback.
Opening the celebration at Whitworth Art Gallery’s Grand Hall, Alvin Birdi, Vice-Dean for Teaching, Learning and Students, highlighted the importance of recognising the contribution colleagues make to students’ experiences: “It is important to hold events that champion excellence in teaching, learning and student experience, where we celebrate the positives and celebrate our brilliant colleagues.”
Alvin also reflected on the importance of student voice, with this year’s nominations giving students the opportunity to recognise colleagues who had helped, supported or inspired them.
Celebrating the impact of our colleagues
The awards highlighted the many different ways colleagues support students, from inclusive teaching and academic advice to dissertation supervision, employability and wider student support.
Miriam Firth, Senior Lecturer in Education, Leadership and Management (SEED), received two awards: Outstanding Teaching and Employability and Outstanding Postgraduate Taught Dissertation Supervisor. Students praised the practical career skills developed through her teaching, alongside the constructive and detailed guidance she provided as a dissertation supervisor.
The new Outstanding Inclusive Teaching Award was presented to Claire Fox, Senior Lecturer in Criminology (SoSS). Students highlighted the inclusive learning environment she created, alongside accessible resources, personalised support and teaching approaches that encouraged participation and a sense of belonging.
Jake Gandy, Lecturer in Global Economic History (SALC), received the Outstanding Undergraduate Dissertation Supervisor Award. One student described the impact of his supervision by saying: “Jake has changed the trajectory of my academic career and in some ways, my life.”
Students also praised his encouragement of independent research, critical thinking and confidence in developing their own approaches to their work.
Ben Springett, Academic Advisor (SoSS), received the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award, with students recognising his proactive and compassionate academic and pastoral support, particularly when helping students navigate difficult personal, health and wellbeing circumstances.
The Outstanding Programme of the Year Award went to the MSc Nature Restoration, Recovery and Rewilding (SEED), led by Programme Directors Ian Thornhill and Anna Gilchrist. Students praised the programme’s interdisciplinary approach, real-world learning opportunities and personalised support.
Liam Collins, TLSE Coordinator, Student Support and Wellbeing (SEED), received the Outstanding Student Experience Support Award. Students recognised the clarity, compassion and practical guidance he provided during challenging circumstances, helping them navigate University processes and continue their studies.
The final award for Outstanding Teaching was presented to Fiamma Terenghi, Lecturer in Criminology (SoSS). Students praised her clear and engaging teaching, accessible explanations of complex theories, well-organised learning materials and constructive assessment guidance and feedback.
Closing the celebration, President and Vice-Chancellor Duncan Ivison reflected on the significance of colleagues receiving recognition from the students they teach and support: “It’s a really terrific recognition of amazing things that we do day in, day out.”
He also recognised the quality of teaching taking place across Humanities, describing it as “a real testament to work going on in this Faculty”, before offering his congratulations to those recognised through the awards.
Well done to all of this year’s winners and highly commended colleagues, and thank you to the students who took the time to recognise the staff and teams who have made a difference to their University experience.
View the full list of 2025/26 winners and highly commended nominees on the Humanities Teaching Academy SharePoint site.