Learning & Teaching Awards Winners 2025
Congratulations to those recognised at the recent UUSU Learning & Teaching Awards! It was a fantastic evening at the Ebrington Hotel, Derry~Londonderry celebrating our outstanding staff and academic reps supporting the student journey at UU.
Winner Ian Thatcher (Arts and Humanities) - Inspirational Award: Transformative Educational Approach
A special thanks to Emily Roberts (VP Education & President Elect) and Lee Doran (Department Rep & VP Magee Elect) who hosted the evening. What makes these awards stand out is they are completely student-led, organised, and managed through UUSU. Nominations come from students, with staff only eligible to submit in the Academic Rep category.
We received over 570 nominations this year showing the impact of hundreds of individual staff members, teams and reps. The judging and shortlisting panel was made up of student reps from across Faculties and the Doctoral College. Thanks to all the students and staff who made nominations and to our student shortlisting panel.
Dream Team Award - Staff Team of the Year
Interactive Media Team
Igniting Student Ambition
Darren Berkland (Communication and Media)
Emily Roberts, VP Education presenting Darren Berkland with Igniting Student Ambition Award
Educator of the Year (Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences)
Denise MacDermott (Applied Social & Policy Sciences)
L-R: Anne Gallagher, Denise MacDermott and Caoimhe Cudden
Educator of the Year (Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment)
Philip Vance (Computing, Engineering & Intelligent Systems)
Philip Vance is presented award by Favour Okpohs (VP Belfast)
Educator of the Year (Faculty of Life and Health Sciences)
Felicity Hasson (Nursing and Paramedic Science) Marian McLaughlin (Psychology)
L-R Rebecca Crothers, Maria Betts, Felicity Hasson, Marian McLaughlin
Educator of the Year (Ulster University Business School)
Helen McKenna (Business Engagement Unit)
Rosie McKenna (right) collects award on behalf of Helen McKenna from Reece Armstrong (VP Magee)
Rising Star Award: Early Career Excellence
Ryan Adams (Sport and Exercise Science)>
Ryan is presented award by Lee Dornan (VP Magee Elect)
PhD Supervisor of the Year
Helene McNulty (Biomedical Sciences)
Alison Gallagher, Head of the Doctoral College collecting the award on Helene’s Behalf with Helene’s Nominator Umair Shabbir
Hidden Hero Award: Non-Teaching Excellence
Magdalena Lederer (Commercial Services)
Champion for Change
Muhammad Usman Hadi (Engineering)
Prof Colin Turner accepts the award on Muhammad Usman Hadi’s behalf from Catherine Mailey (VP Equality & Belonging Elect)
Student Academic Rep of the Year
Sophie Stevens (Law)
Inspirational Award: Transformative Educational Approaches
Ian Thatcher (Arts and Humanities)
UUSU Special Recognition Award
Cost of Living, Cost of Learning Conference
L-R Emily Roberts (VP Education) presents Patricia Burns & Aisling Meehan with the UUSU Special Recognition Award
UUSU Special Recognition Award
Student Partnerships & Collaboration on Sustainability – Marc Duffy
Emily Roberts (VP Education) presents Marc Duffy with the UUSU Special Recognition Award
UUSU Special Recognition Award
Mandy Mulholland (UUSU Interim Head of Membership) receives a special thank you for organising the LTAs over the last 10 years!