National Teaching Fellowship success

The 2012 National Teaching Fellows see Leeds become the most successful institution since the scheme's launch 12 years ago. Neil Morris (Faculty of Biological Sciences) has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of his contribution to learning and teaching within the University. His success brings our total number of awards to 17 – that’s more than any other higher education institution in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The Higher Education Academy (HEA) grants the Fellowships, which are the most prestigious awards for excellence in higher education teaching and support for learning, with successful nominees being judged on individual excellence, raising the profile of excellence and developing excellence. Morris’ current research interests are in educational technology and blending learning and at present he chairs the University of Leeds blended learning and technology innovation group. Former director of the Undergraduate School in Biological Sciences, he has led implementations of the virtual learning environment, student voting handsets, lecture audio recordings and generic video feedback within the faculty. Most recently, he published a study investigating the potential usefulness of tablet devices for enhancing undergraduate students’ learning opportunities.