Dr Katharine Burn recognised for sustained commitment to education at Teaching Excellence Awards

A central figure in the Department of Education since 1999, Dr Burn has led and taught across the PGCE, MSc in Learning and Teaching, and MSc in Teacher Education, combining extensive teaching and supervision with academic leadership.

Dr Burn’s excellence lies in her ability to hold theory and practice together through deeply research informed teaching. As Course Director of the PGCE, she led the programme successfully through reaccreditation and multiple Ofsted inspections, maintaining intellectual rigour, a strong commitment to social justice, and consistently outstanding student outcomes. Student feedback during her tenure shows exceptionally high levels of preparedness for professional practice, and colleagues highlighted her meticulous course design, reflective teaching practice, and exemplary leadership during periods of significant external scrutiny.

Dr Burn also has a wide impact through her sustained mentorship of teachers and researchers and her national and international contribution to history and teacher education through scholarly publications and editorial work, and professional engagement.

Dr Burn said: “Excellence in teacher education is rooted in genuine, principled school/university partnerships. I’m delighted by the recognition that this award confers on my commitment to ‘practical theorising’: a constant striving to find productive ways of integrating theory and practice for our students, enabling them to interrogate each from the perspective of the other.”

The Teaching Excellence Awards recognises individuals’ exceptional contribution and dedication to teaching at all career-stages and is awarded under one of three categories: Individual/Team Awards for Academic Staff, Individual Awards for Academic Staff (Early Career Strand), and Achievement Award for Sustained Commitment to Education.

To find out more about the scheme, visit this page.