BNU lecturer scoops top teaching award
Senior lecturer David Rawcliffe at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has picked up the title of Educator of the Year at a glittering ceremony for the Student Nursing Times Awards 2021.
Healthcare professionals, academics and students gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London (4 November) to celebrate excellence in education across all specialties of nursing.
David, senior lecturer for BNU’s Mental Health nursing courses, demonstrated ‘exceptional teaching’ and ‘helping student nurses achieve their potential’ to judges. David was also praised by his colleagues for his consistent commitment to supporting students develop their skills by identifying their individual strengths.
David Rawcliffe said: “I was surprised and honoured to win Educator of the Year, and am delighted to have been described by the judges as a positive psychologist who encourages students to realise what a difference they can make. I’m also very proud of my BNU students, past and present, for their commitment and achievements.”
BNU was named a finalist across five other categories this year:
- Nursing Associate Trainee of the Year – Sally Williams (Nursing Associate Apprenticeship)
- Student Nurse of the Year: Adult – Alan Armstrong (Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship)
- Student Nurse of the Year: Children – Edel Roche (BSc Nursing)
- Student Nurse of the Year: Mental Health – Jacob Goh (PGDip Nursing)
- Teaching Innovation of the Year – Taryn Tavener-Smith (Lecturer) and Nicole McAllister (Lecturer) (Online Innovation for Teaching Medical Terminology)
Professor Gavin Brooks, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of BNU, said: “At BNU we take great pride in transforming our students’ lives through high quality teaching and skills-based learning. I am very proud that David’s tireless efforts for his students have been recognised amongst tough competition in these national awards. We also were delighted to see three of our BNU students shortlisted for an award, which is testament to how each has responded so admirably to the many challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Editor of Nursing Times, Steve Ford, added: “Given the ongoing difficulties facing the education sector due to the pandemic, I was really impressed by the strength of entries that we received for the awards this year.
“The many higher education institutions and placement providers represented on the shortlist demonstrate the constant evolution and development in the way the next generation of nurses are educated, equipping them to deal with the challenges they will face and to provide the best care possible.”
