Dr Sarah Curran, Reader and Principal Lecturer in Podiatry at Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Cardiff School of Health Sciences, has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship by the Higher Education Academy. Dr Curran is the first podiatry lecturer in the country to win the prestigious award.
Dr Sarah Curran
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, funded by the Higher Education Funding Councils for England and Wales and the Department for the Economy (DfE) Northern Ireland, recognises and rewards excellent learning and teaching. Awards of £5,000 are made to recognise individual excellence and to support Fellows’ professional development.
Cardiff Met has had previous successes in receiving this prestigious award and Dr Curran joins a succession of seven members of staff who have previously been awarded the Fellowship.
Dr Curran was recognised for having a strong passion for curiosity and creativity in developing learning and teaching that is engaging, fun, memorable. Her innovations include creating 3D models and evolving a hands-on approach to learning and understanding of lower limb function.
On receiving her award, Dr Curran said “I am delighted on both a personal and professional level that I have achieved a National Teaching Fellowship, it is a first for our profession which is even more exciting. Coming from a small profession, I feel that the impact of this award recognises a learning and teaching ethos that lies at the heart of a progressive and innovative approach that we are adopting here at Cardiff Metropolitan University.”
Professor Marshall, Higher Executive Academy Chief Executive, said, “I am so pleased the HEA has the opportunity to run these awards, and to help to disseminate the best practice they reveal. Celebrating great teaching, whether by teams or individuals, is really important and highlights just some of the great work in the sector to improve the student experience.”
Vice-Chancellor Cara Aitchison said: “Congratulations to Sarah on achieving the first ever National Teaching Fellowship Award in the discipline of Podiatry. We pride ourselves on the calibre and variety of expertise of all our staff and Sarah’s award demonstrates this. She has always been innovative and inventive in her teaching practices, ensuring consistent engagement with our students through a refreshed, exciting curriculum. Our staff benefit from sharing expertise among other academics, both within the University and elsewhere, to ensure a fully rounded and relevant education for each and every student.”
