Recipients announced for DCU President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching for 2025
The ceremony for this year’s DCU President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching, designed to celebrate the innovative and student-focused staff at the heart of the university’s transformative student experience, took place in The Helix on DCU’s Glasnevin campus today (Thursday, 1 May).
DCU President Professor Daire Keogh spoke about the importance of recognising DCU’s teaching staff and those who support them:
“As the academic year draws to a close, this awards ceremony is a timely opportunity to celebrate the exceptional contribution of our teaching staff, and those who support them, to University life. The nominations provide a snapshot of the high level of commitment of DCU staff to teaching excellence through innovation and collaboration. The large number of commendations received from students also indicates how much they notice and appreciate the dedication and passion of our teaching staff.”
In the Teaching Support category, Technical Support Officer Henry Langton was awarded for his contributions to digital learning initiatives, hybrid teaching solutions, and educational technology advancements, and for teaching colleagues how to advance their teaching practice with technology, ultimately contributing to a transformative learning experience for DCU students.
The Team Award was awarded to the DCU Futures Team (Susan Hegarty, Brett Stoutt, Rachel Kavanagh, Nathalie Groszewski, Ciaran Dunne and Teresa O’Connor), recognising the rollout of 10 new undergraduate degrees in DCU and their work adopting and supporting innovative pedagogical methods that can best equip DCU students for an uncertain world.
In the New Lecturer category, Christina Hannify was awarded for her innovative, evidence-based, and student-centered teaching, and for ensuring that her students leave not just with theoretical knowledge, but with the confidence and skills to enhance their own teaching practice
The Doctoral Supervision Award went to Janine Bosak, Professor in Organisational Psychology at DCU Business School. She was recognised for her mentorship and support, particularly for those facing additional challenges, including students with disabilities and for creating an inclusive and nurturing space where all students feel a sense of belonging, have their diverse needs recognized and can achieve their highest potential.
The Award for Distinctive Approaches to Teaching recognised Kate Sheridan, Associate Professor on the BSc in Athletic Therapy and Training in DCU’s School of Health & Human Performance. Kate’s groundbreaking curricula design ensures that students are equipped to be at the forefront of patient-centred care in the current challenging and evolving healthcare environment.
The Digital Business and Innovation Team received the Distinctive Approaches to Assessment & Feedback Award. The team have designed a variety of assessment types including podcasts, e-portfolios, Loop reflect, digital artefacts, hackathons, pitches, autonomous learning pathways and choices across assignments. In the words of a student on the programme: “From the spread of modules to the mode of delivery and student support, DBI is a gamechanger in education. The experience has been invaluable.”
Finally, Dr Paula Lehane, Assistant Professor in the School of Inclusive and Special Education, received the Overall President’s Award for Teaching Excellence for 2025. The words of one student nominator summed up her invaluable contribution: “Paula is consistently enthusiastic, and is very thoughtful in all aspects of her teaching. She never fails to show the highest level understanding to her students, and gives her utmost effort in helping her students reach their maximum potential. I think she is a truly inspirational example to look up to as a future educator like myself.”