Inspiring teaching and support wins Dr Paul Duckmanton a top award

Senior Teaching Fellow in Chemistry, Dr Paul Duckmanton has been recognised for his contribution to student experience. He has won a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for his work on multidisciplinary modules and arranging student placements

University Vice-President (Education) Professor Alex Neill spoke at the ceremony: “Paul contributes to high quality teaching by enabling students to grow in confidence, realise their full potential and become confident thinkers.

“Paul’s teaching attracts students from a wide range of disciplines and stimulates thinking about contemporary issues, which enriches the student experience.”

Paul enjoyed working with colleagues in Philosophy to devise a course on the ethics of science. “We encouraged them to look afresh at science,” he explains. “Our Jekyll and Hyde module covered controversial issues such as fake lab results, homeopathy and research funding and we challenged them to consider the issues from different perspectives.”

He also advises students to set their sights high for placements: “One undergraduate wasn’t sure whether to study in Canada but she enjoyed her time at the University of British Columbia so much, she’s staying there for a PhD.”