Professor Candice Satchwell has been announced as a National Teaching Fellow
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) academic is celebrating after receiving a prestigious award for excellence in higher education teaching.
Professor Candice Satchwell, a Reader in Education and Literacies, has been announced as one of 55 higher education staff to have been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
She was nominated by UCLan and submissions had to show evidence of three criteria: individual excellence, raising the profile of excellence, and developing excellence.
Candice, who joined the University in 2012, said: “I am really delighted. To be honest, I was very surprised to be invited to apply for a National Teaching Fellowship, and even more surprised when I got it!
“I have been teaching in further education and higher education for very many years, and it has been lovely to receive such positive comments from students and colleagues, past and present.”
"I am really delighted. To be honest, I was very surprised to be invited to apply for a National Teaching Fellowship, and even more surprised when I got it!"
Candice, who lives in Lancaster, was an English Lecturer in further education before studying for a PhD in literacy education. She then worked in two concurrent part-time jobs: as lecturer and programme leader for an English degree in a college; and as senior researcher at Lancaster University, working on a series of research projects relating to education and literacy. Candice is Principal Investigator on Stories to Connect, a large Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project, working with children and young people in community groups to tell stories about their lives.
A former student of Candice’s, who is now a teacher, said: “I feel very fortunate to have had such a knowledgeable, grounded and compassionate teacher and mentor as Candice. I am definitely a success story of widening participation. Because of her unassuming nature, Candice would gladly attribute the successes I have enjoyed to my own hard work and determination. But without any doubt, the approach to teaching and learning that I ‘grew up’ in, with Candice as my mentor and guide, has laid the foundations of nearly every aspect of my pedagogy as it stands to this day. And for that I am extremely grateful, not in the least because it works. It really works.”
The impact of Candice’s work was praised by the HEA. It said: “Her teaching has had an impact on numerous students’ lives, many of them coming into Higher Education through unconventional routes. By facilitating the building of students’ confidence and knowledge bases, she has helped the development of students’ and colleagues’ careers in sometimes unexpected ways.
"Candice’s current research and associated teaching is adding to knowledge of participatory research with community groups and university students and staff and the possibilities of disseminating research stories through new digital means of communication."
“Candice’s current research and associated teaching is adding to knowledge of participatory research with community groups and university students and staff, and the possibilities of disseminating research stories through new digital means of communication.”
There are now more than 750 National Teaching Fellows.
Professor Stephanie Marshall, HEA Chief Executive, said: “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. All the awards provide compelling case studies of best practice which we can share around the sector. It’s also an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our own work, individually and as teams – what are we getting right, what can we learn, what could we do better? I would like to congratulate all the new National Teaching Fellows. I’m sure the whole higher education sector will join me in agreeing that we are very proud of your achievements.”