Simulation approach stimulates students

Simulation approach stimulates students, says professor praised for her educational approach: University of Bradford Professor Maryann Hardy has been awarded a coveted National Teaching Fellowship for her inspirational approach to educational training.

Professor Hardy, who has worked at the university for 25 years, said she was “delighted and humbled” by the accolade, which seeks to showcase teaching excellence.

As Professor of Radiography & Imaging practice research in the Faculty of Health Studies, she trains students going into the health service (and other professions), has championed research-led teaching and is a passionate advocate of learning by doing.

She is one of just 54 academics to receive the award this year.

“It’s important for students to be engaged in their learning. We learn by doing, so it’s about purposeful learning rather than learning without application or context; it’s also about enabling students to become critical thinkers.

“Imaging is such an important process in the health service. Poor imaging can cause confusion, create appearances that are not really there or hide things that are. Our clinical simulation facilities and learning scenarios allow students to make mistakes, and crucially to learn from those, so that when they go out into the workplace, they have a deeper level of understanding and a confidence that will ultimately enable them to be highly skilled diagnostic radiographers able to better relate to the patient.”

She added: “I’m proud to have received this award. I’d like to think it can be used to inspire others, to know they can have a career both as a researcher and a teacher. Our job is to support educational training through learning and inspire change through research.

“A key part of that is relating to students, gaining their trust, so they have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to see how the application of that knowledge can positively impact people’s lives. Finally, it’s about showing them the skills they learn here are transferable, so they may train for a career in the NHS, but they are educated for life.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said: “Maryann is an inspirational teacher, with a passion for her subject and a desire to put students first. She is distinguished by her long-term commitment and tenacity in supporting the authentic and active learning of radiography students.

“As a former Dean of Health Studies, I have personal experience of Maryann’s significant impact in both her subject discipline and the higher education sector. Her leadership and innovative development of CTSim and her approach to research-engaged education epitomise our Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Strategy.

“Through her passion for student research, her ground-breaking development and use of technology, and her educational training excellence, she has widened access to learning and transformed the student learning experience both at Bradford and across the sector.”

In March, the University of Bradford secured a grant of over £500,000 to buy new equipment, including a CT scanner – it will be one of only a few universities in the country with a CT scanner.

About the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.

It is widely recognised in higher education within the UK as well as internationally as a mark of quality.

National Teaching Fellows must demonstrate evidence of:

• Individual excellence: of enhancing and transforming student outcomes and/or the teaching profession, demonstrating impact commensurate with the individual’s context and the opportunities afforded by it.
• Raising the profile of excellence: of supporting colleagues and influencing support for student learning and/or the teaching profession; demonstrating impact and engagement beyond the nominee’s immediate academic or professional role.
• Developing excellence: of the nominee’s commitment to and impact of ongoing professional development with regard to educational training and learning and/or learning support.

If you would like to gain some inspiration and find out more about past winners review the Directory of NTFs below.

The full list of 2022 NTFs and CATE winners is below:

2022 winners of the National Teaching Fellowship and 2022 winners of the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence. The 2022 awards ceremony will take place on 29 September in Liverpool.