This year’s Distinguished Teaching Award winners chosen

The 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award winners at Uppsala University teach subjects related to art history, informatics and media, pharmaceutical biosciences and information technology. The free Distinguished Teaching Award was presented to Senior Lecturer Orsi Husz at the Department of Economic History for her work on the doctoral education environment for doctoral students.

Students and colleagues nominate the Distinguished Teaching Award winners. The Vice-Chancellor chooses the final winners based on suggestions from a drafting committee consisting of eight teachers and eight students. This year 104 teachers were nominated. A record.

 Talented and dedicated teachers actively involved in developing teaching and course selection are the basic prerequisite for education of the highest quality. Being able to reward a selection of Uppsala University’s most capable teachers is a true joy, says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Anders Malmberg, Chair of the Drafting Committee.

The award is conferred in conjunction with the inauguration of professors in November. The amount of the award is SEK 20,000.

Prize-winners and explanatory statements:

Theology, humanities and educational sciences:
Senior Lecturer Johan Eriksson at the Department of Art History was granted the 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award in the field of theology, humanities and educational sciences.

Eriksson has specialised in his field and is a talented teacher. Students testify to how his knowledge and commitment inspire them. Eriksson’s contributions in the field of distance education deserve special mention. With a passion for learning, he motivates his students and gets them to pursue studies to an extent you rarely see in distance learning courses. His contributions regarding online essay supervision are also commendable.

Law and Social Sciences:
Senior Lecturer Ylva Ekström at the Department of Informatics and Media received the 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award in the field of law and the social sciences.

Ekström is working with her colleagues to support teachers and is a bridge-builder between individuals, subjects and departments. As educational director of studies, she is skilled in building support for ideas and implementing them. In her teaching, Ekström is well planned and clear, which facilitates active participation of students. This is apparent in both new methods and research on educational issues.

Medicine and pharmacy:
Senior Lecturer Jörgen Bengtsson at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences was presented with the 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award in the field of medicine and pharmacy.

Bengtsson is constantly improving his teaching. He enjoys trying new educational approaches such as the flipped classroom to motivate students and make more efficient use of teaching time. Bengtsson participates in educational conferences to disseminate his experience and inspire colleagues. On Medicine and Pharmacy’s pedagogic council, he promotes collaboration among colleagues and creates interfaces through workshops on issues related to subject didactics.

Mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering and technology:
Professor Björn Victor at the Department of Information Technology was granted the 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award in the field of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering and technology.

Victor is a committed and engaging teacher who inspires colleagues and creates interfaces among students and teachers. With sterling teaching experience and openness to others, he develops courses with student-centred learning. As an educational leader, Victor revitalises teaching and provides support and advice on everything from the development of new educational programmes to the educational training of colleagues.

Free award:
Senior Lecturer Orsi Husz at the Department of Economic History received the 2018 Distinguished Teaching Award under the theme “Teaching contributions and educational development in doctoral education”.

Husz has developed the course structure and content for doctoral students in economic history. She creates collaboration and a doctoral education environment that contributes to the integration of doctoral students in the broader Uppsala environment. Husz strengthens doctoral students’ international experience and network of contacts, and she has worked on behalf of the subject’s Swedish National Research School. She also encourages doctoral students to acquire and develop their pedagogical skills.

Linda Koffmar