The President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching recognise outstanding contributions to DCU's teaching and learning environment.

All DCU staff members who are involved in teaching or teaching support in DCU may be nominated. Nominations may be made for individuals, groups or teams under one of the four following categories:

• Academic Support (anyone who makes a contribution to teaching - these may include, but are not limited to, technical officers, demonstrators, librarians, etc);
• New Lecturer/Tutor (any person with teaching experience of three years or less);
• Team Teaching Award (core staff teams that provide an exceptional, innovative or transformational contribution to the student experience in either an academic or teaching support category); 
• Academic (any person who has taught in DCU for more than three years). 

Speaking at the event, DCU President Professor Dáire Keogh said:

“The nominations we have received this year, from both colleagues and students, speak volumes about the excellence of DCU’s teaching staff and those who support them. They paint a picture of committed professionals who are passionate, hardworking, innovative, and student-focused. Indeed, these annual awards illustrate once again how DCU teaching staff are at the heart of the ‘transformative student experience’ that our University offers.”

The award recipients are listed below, along with a quote from their citations.

Teaching Support Category - Rob Lowney, Teaching Enhancement Unit

“This award vouches for the influence and impact which Rob has had not only on professional practice but on that of many Faculty colleagues, both junior and senior.”

Team Teaching Category - School of Psychology Teaching Team

“Although it is impossible to write everything that every specific member of the School of Psychology teaching team has done to provide a transformative learning experience, there is a shared feeling amongst students within the school that this excellent team has made learning more engaging and enjoyable by consistently going the extra mile.”

New Lecturers Category - Natalie O’Neill, School of Policy and Practice

“Natalie’s students are encouraged to think deeply about education, to challenge their conceptions of good teaching, to bridge the link between theory and practice and to explore new approaches to teaching.”

Distinctive Approach to Teaching Award - Éadaoin Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Fiontar agus Scoil na Gaeilge

“Éadaoin has been using video and gamification in her language classroom for many years and her students have access to a well-designed library of interactive digital resources, including polls, quizzes and videos, and other tools. This resulted in Éadaoin’s students being able to take an active part in learning from the first week of COVID lockdown and these resources have been developed in the years since COVID.”

Distinctive Approaches to Assessment and Feedback Award - Global Challenges Programme Team, (School of Electronic Engineering and School of Law and Government)

“The team has developed robust innovative teaching practices, employing cutting-edge teaching strategies, which includes co-teaching and co-assessment practices that prioritise a student-centred pedagogy, supported with active learning, critical thinking, and transversal skills.”

Overall Academic Category Winner - Julie Bertz, DCU Business School

“Julie’s support for learners is distinguished by a comprehensive, empathetic, and proactive strategy aimed at fostering academic success and personal growth among students.”