Top for teaching again
Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:38:00 BST
Janet awarded National Teaching Fellowship
A NURSE who switched to the academic world, achieving success as a lecturer, researcher and administrator, is the latest in a UK-leading sequence of staff from the University of Huddersfield to win one of the profession’s most coveted awards, a National Teaching Fellowship.
Dr Janet Hargreaves (pictured right), who had a varied early career as a nurse in the NHS before moving into Higher Education, is the Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching in the University of Huddersfield, where she has become its ninth National Teaching Fellow over the past five years. This is a track record that has no equal in the sector.
After training as a nursery nurse and registered adult nurse in the 1970s, Janet Hargreaves went on to work in settings that included operating theatres. Then she began to teach student nurses and eventually moved into the university sector. She gained a sequence of new academic qualifications, culminating in a Doctorate in Education at the University of Huddersfield.
After roles at other universities in Yorkshire, she took up her Associate Dean post at Huddersfield in 2006, developing initiatives such as interdisciplinary learning and service-user engagement. Her teaching includes subjects such as health care ethics and she has laid stress on making the subject relevant and accessible. She is also active in research and takes a keen interest in the evolution of nursing – she is a founder member of the UK Association of the History of Nursing.
In addition to her roles at the University of Huddersfield, she has also held a number of key external posts, such as panellist for the Nursing and Midwifery Council Competence and Conduct Committee.
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme receives Government funding and is run by the Higher Education Academy. Its aim is to recognise and reward excellence in learning and teaching and the scheme is open to all higher education institutions in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Every year just 55 awards of £10,000 are made to recognise individual excellence. The money enables National Teaching Fellows to continue their professional development.
Professor Tim Thornton, who is the University's Pro Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning, said: " I’m delighted at the continuing recognition that Huddersfield has some of the most inspiring and innovative teachers in the country. Janet Hargreaves joins an already long and very distinguished roll of University colleagues who are the leaders nationally and internationally in their fields".
