About the Award

About the Award

The Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award recognises outstanding learning and teaching practice in the biosciences. The scheme rewards lecturers who:

• Display individual excellence through the design and development of approaches to teaching that have proven successful in promoting bioscience student learning and achievement
• Undertake scholarly and professional developmental activities that actively influence and enhance the learning of their students
• Support colleagues and influence bioscience student learning beyond their own department and institution

The winner will receive the Ed Wood Memorial Prize: £1,000 to spend as they wish; one year’s subscription to an OUP journal of their choice; and one year’s free Membership at the appropriate grade (MSB or FSB) of the Society of Biology. The remaining finalists will each receive a £150 prize for their case study and one year’s free Membership/Fellowship to the Society of Biology.

The Ed Wood Memorial Prize is named in honour of Professor Edward J. Wood, who established and became the first Director of the Learning and Teaching Support Network for Bioscience, subsequently the UK Centre for Bioscience, who dedicated himself to the promotion of biochemistry and molecular biology education.

The Award supports the Society of Biology's aim to ‘support and recognise excellence in biology teaching’.  

Aims of the Award

The main aims of the Award are to:

• Provide national recognition and reward for excellence in teaching and supporting student learning in the biosciences for individuals in any of the UK home nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)
• Raise the status of teaching in the biosciences as a scholarly activity
• Support individuals in reflecting upon and enhancing their professional practice in support of student learning
• Develop case studies of effective student learning and disseminate these nationally to enhance bioscience student learning experiences across the UK

More information

Any questions about the scheme may be addressed for the attention of Rachel Lambert-Forsyth, Head of Education by email or by telephoning 020 7685 2557.