Department success in Teaching Excellence Awards
The annual Teaching Excellence Awards recognise the exceptional contributions to education by colleagues across the Social Sciences Division at the University of Oxford.
As the lead tutor for the PGCE Secondary English programme, Dr Dingwall has crafted a curriculum that bridges theoretical concepts with practical classroom experiences. Her approach is underpinned by compassion, kindness, and understanding, ensuring that each student receives tailored support that best suits their individual needs. Dr Dingwall’s commitment to student well-being is evident in her proactive measures to adapt to students facing personal, professional or health challenges. This personalised approach not only fosters a conducive learning environment but also empowers students to thrive academically and personally.
Dr Dingwall’s dedication to teaching excellence extends beyond the PGCE programme. Her supervision of MSc and DPhil students is characterised by a deep commitment to their academic success and personal growth. Dr Dingwall’s innovative teaching methods, such as integrating research with professional practice and facilitating reflective learning sessions, have consistently resulted in strong student achievement. Her ability to inspire and motivate students is reflected in the numerous heartfelt testimonials from those she has taught and mentored.
Dr Dingwall said: “I am honoured to receive this award. Teaching begins with understanding, support and kindness, I was a product of that kind of tuition here and I thank my colleagues for that. It is a joy and privileged to work with diligent, curious and intelligent students who I learn from, thank you to each of them who have shaped my teaching.”
Dr Hamilton has made significant contributions to the MSc in Applied Linguistics for Second Language Acquisition through her innovative redesign of the statistics module. Her approach focuses on practical applications of statistics in applied linguistics, promoting a rigorous yet accessible understanding of statistical analysis.
By incorporating relevant linguistics-based examples she has created a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that enhances student engagement and understanding. Her thoughtful consideration of students’ needs and her ability to make complex concepts more approachable to students from linguistics backgrounds has been highly praised by both students and colleagues.
Dr Hamilton’s commitment to student support extends beyond the classroom. She has introduced weekly drop-in sessions to assist students with their statistical analyses, fostering a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Her innovative teaching methods, such as using real applied linguistics research scenarios and incorporating “data speed-dating” sessions, have significantly improved students’ confidence and motivation.
Feedback from students highlights her engaging teaching style and the positive impact of her efforts on their learning outcomes.
Dr Hamilton said: “I’ve always thought that ‘teaching excellence’ means meeting my students where they are on their learning journey and being a companion navigator for a while. It’s an honour to be part of that process, and to see them soar off to exciting new destinations with their new skills and understanding.”
Dr Shi’s pedagogical approach integrates theories with practical activities, encouraging a learning environment that enhances student engagement and prepares them for future scholarly and professional endeavours. An important component that enhances the real-world applicability of the lectures is the thoughtful integration of guest speakers from diverse professional and academic backgrounds, who offer students a broad range of perspectives and insights.
Additionally, Dr Shi introduced an exploratory project that tests how generative AI models can support interdisciplinary exchange between students, providing them with unique opportunities to engage practically and intellectually with emerging technologies.
Central to her teaching is also her commitment to inclusivity, which is evident in her efforts to improve inclusion strategies at the university. Her work as an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Associate has made valuable contributions to the student community, highlighting the consequences of privileging academic knowledge over students’ lived experience. Her teaching content, which includes critical discussions on power, epistemic authority, and agency, aims to empower students to navigate and shape society with confidence and critical reflexivity.
Dr Shi said: “I’m honoured to receive this recognition for teaching. My deepest thanks go to the students whose curiosity and critical thinking make teaching a genuinely collaborative and intellectually rich experience. I’m also grateful to my colleagues and the wider community at the Department of Education for creating an environment where innovative, inclusive, and reflexive approaches to education are not only supported but actively encouraged. This award reflects the shared commitment across the department to centre dialogue, diverse forms of knowledge, and thoughtful experimentation in our teaching practices.”
Professor Timothy Power, Head of the Social Sciences Division, said: ‘The Teaching Excellence Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding work of our colleagues and their dedication to innovation in education. It is wonderful to see such a variety of activity across our departments, and in particular to recognise exceptional teaching across a range of career stages. Many congratulations to this year’s winners.’
