Myerscough lecturer wins UCLan teaching award

A Myerscough College lecturer has been named 'Best Module Tutor' at the University of Central Lancashire's 2012 Teaching Awards, held at UCLan's Student Union Atrium Cafe on Thursday 19th April. Dr Andrew Owen is a Sportsturf Agronomy Lecturer at Myerscough College and the only UCLan partner institute staff member to receive an award.

Dr Andrew Owen is a leading expert in the field of Sportsturf Agronomy, which looks at the science and management practices for the establishment and maintenance of natural grass surfaces used for sport. Following 3 years working as a Scientific Officer at the Sports Turf Research Institute in West Yorkshire, Dr Owen joined Myerscough College as a lecturer in 2005.

The UCLan teaching awards are voted for entirely by students to celebrate the best in teaching, support staff and tutors at UCLan and their partner institutions. After the painstaking task of shortlisting the 550 student nominations (a record number since the awards began in 2009), successful lecturers and tutors were placed into one of eight categories

Sportsturf Student at Myerscough College

"It's such fantastic news that Dr Owen has won the award. His teaching style is brilliant. He has no 'typical lectures' and it the passion Andy conveys in his lectures which is just so infectious and we cannot help but get excited about the subject. Many tutors will tell you that their door is 'always open', but with Dr Owen this really is the case. He is willing to spend so much time with all his students to help us out with any queries, and it's the manner in which he carries this out, he just can't do enough for you."

Dr Andrew Owen:

"I feel very proud to have been nominated to have won the award as it's decided entirely by the students. As the only staff member from a UCLan partner institution I feel especially proud. As a lecturer you can never be complacent, and I continually try to improve every session I deliver, but the key for me if to try and make each session different, to try and provide that balance which keeps all students motivated, interested, involved and learning. It is extremely rewarding to have that effort I put in recognised by my students, and this will further motivate me to keep refreshing my sessions, developing new materials and helping each student reach their potential."

Becca Vafeas, UCLan Students Union Education Officer

"UCLan Students Union wants to recognise those tutors who have put in the extra efforts for students, whether its offering help and guidance when students are struggling, giving outstanding feedback, making lectures an enjoyable learning experience or supporting students through personal struggles, the UCLan teaching awards are the students chance to say thank you and reward staff for everything they do for the students."

1. The UCLan 2012 teaching Awards categories:

• Best Module Tutor
• Most Supportive Tutor
• Best Teaching Award
• Best Course Team
• Best University Support Service
• Outstanding Feedback
• Outstanding Personal Tutor
• Most Passionate Lecturer