First Provost’s Teaching Awards Mark Academic Excellence

Posted on: 23 January 2002

A Trinity lecturer who developed his own unique style of teaching based on feedback received throughout his academic career is one of the first recipients of the Provost’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning. Notably, Dr. Martin Fellenz developed a peer-evaluation based protocol for assessing individual student contributions to group work, the Fellenz Peer Evaluation Protocol.

The other recipients of this new achievement scheme, which promotes teaching as a scholarly activity and rewards those who have made an outstanding contribution in the pursuit of teaching excellence, are Mr Alan Mullally, Department of Computer Science, and Prof. John Scott, Department of Biochemistry.

“These awards demonstrate that the winners’ passion, commitment and dedication to teaching and learning excellence has been confirmed, respected and appreciated by both students and colleagues. It is indeed a great accomplishment and I warmly congratulate them”, said Dr. John Hegarty, Provost at the presentation.

Up to three Provost’s Awards will be made annually, each to the value of over €5,000. The inaugural winners of the Provost’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning 2000/01 are:

Dr Martin Fellenz (Business Studies) – for his dedication to the ethos of student centred learning. His approach facilitates students to develop independent and critical thinking and encourages them to reflect on their own assumptions about, and approaches to, learning. Dr Fellenz was highly commended for his commitment to the establishment of a clear and defined link between learning outcomes, course content and modes of assessment.

Mr Alan Mullally (Computer Science) – for his personal and professional commitment to lifelong learning and continuous professional development in the field of Information Technology. He has dedicated himself to leading and developing Trinity’s contribution to continuous professional development and lifelong learning through the provision of self-financing evening degree programmes. A commitment to their total quality management forms the core of his approach to lifelong learning that links adult learning with research activity. He regularly evaluates the curriculum, based on the results of the professional needs of business and public services, and the views and requirements of professional bodies and organisations.

Professor John Scott (Biochemistry) – for being a true academic scholar, dedicated to research and teaching excellence. Prof. Scott’s remarkable commitment to teaching and learning in TCD is exemplified throughout his academic career by his enormous personal contribution to the Department of Biochemistry’s teaching provision. His long participation with the Medical School’s Curriculum Development Committee, in addition to his significant achievements in the pursuit of teaching excellence nationally and internationally, were highlighted as further evidence of his personal dedication and contribution to teaching quality.