An Oban-based marine scientist has become an award-winning teacher, thanks to her students at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
Kirsty Crocket, from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams), won the best assessment feedback award in this year’s UHI Teaching Awards.
The prize is awarded to the lecturer who receives the best recommendations from his or her students and Ms Crocket, who has only been teaching for two years, was praised for “setting a marker for other lecturers to follow”.
The Dunbeg scientist teaches a fourth year module in palaeoceanography as part of the university’s marine science degree and is Sams’ principal investigator in the sub-discipline.
Palaeoceanography is the study of past changes in ocean conditions, such as temperature and circulation, using mud, fossil shells and corals on the seabed to reconstruct climate change patterns.
Ms Crocket, who previously worked at the Imperial College, London, said: “This is my first position as a lecturer and I am really enjoying it.
“I teach a fourth year module, so by the time the students come to me they are really motivated to do well. This year we had an excellent cohort of students and their motivation made it easier to get the best out of them.
“It was absolutely brilliant to win the award and get that type of feedback but seeing the students so involved in the subject matter is the part of the job I enjoy most.”
In nominating Ms Crocket for the award, one student said: “Kirsty’s feedback across palaeoceanography and in polar seas where she taught and assessed work has been the best and most constructive feedback I have received throughout my entire degree.
“The constructive criticism and clear parameters for work are parallel to what is expected when writing for scientific journals and thus in our fourth year, where we are preparing for this transition to the science industry, the feedback has been essential. The level of detail and thorough analysis of our work on all levels (content, structure, grammar, presentation etc.) has been outstanding and really sets a marker for other lecturers to follow.”
Dr Iain Morrison, dean of students at the university, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone who was recognised in our teaching awards. The winners were chosen by the people who matter to us most – our students.
“Each winner, along with the many other nominees, should be proud of the positive impact they’ve had on the learners in our region. Students are at the heart of what we do and our wonderful lecturers and professional services staff are critically important in helping them achieve as much as they can.”