Deaf studies pioneer wins major award

Principal Lecturer rewarded for her outstanding leadership  

Lynne Barnes, Principal Lecturer and Divisional Coordinator within UCLan’s Department of Education and Social Science, has been awarded a 2008 HE Academy National Teaching Fellowship.

The award is in recognition of Lynne’s pioneering work and outstanding leadership in the initiation and successful development of Deaf Studies nationally and internationally.

Fifty fellowships were awarded this year, recognising excellence in teaching and learning. Each winner will receive an award of £10,000 which may be used for their personal and/or professional development in teaching and learning/aspects of pedagogy. The new Fellows come from universities throughout England and Northern Ireland.

Since joining UCLan in 1993 Lynne has overseen the development of groundbreaking degree courses in Deaf Studies and British Sign Language (BSL), including postgraduate qualifications in BSL/English Interpreting, which have increased the number and quality of sign language interpreters in the UK.

She has been instrumental in making higher education more accessible to deaf students and the innovative ‘Year Zero for Deaf Students’ provided the first discrete access course of its kind for deaf students – an important bridge between the demands of further and higher education for this under-represented group.

Commenting on the award Lynne said: “I am delighted to receive this award, not only for myself but on behalf of my colleagues at the University.  It is particularly heartening since Deaf Studies is a relatively new academic discipline within higher education. I feel this prestigious award recognises how teaching and learning of Deaf Studies can be innovative and have significant impact beyond the walls of the classroom. By improving access and support in higher education, deaf people have greater opportunities for equal participation in society at large.” 

Professor Shirley Pearce, Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University and Chair of the Advisory Panel for the Individual Awards, said:  “These Fellows represent a diversity of disciplines and specialisms from a wide range of institutions.  Their achievements in promoting excellence in teaching and learning are hugely impressive and of great benefit to students and staff across higher education.”

The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony and dinner in London on 24 September.

For more information: www.heacademy.ac.uk/ntfsindividual

03 July 2008