UK Winner of Outstanding Teaching Award for Economics
Professor Steve Cook from Swansea University’s School of Business and Economics has been named winner of the 2011 Outstanding Teaching Award for Economics in the UK. Professor Cook topped the list following an unprecedented number of nominations for this national award from the Economics Network of the Higher Education Academy.
Professor Cook was nominated for the award following his introduction of a new Applied Econometrics module for final year undergraduates at Swansea University. Professor Cook had been awarded funding from the Higher Education Academy for this innovative project which harnessed developments in computational power to develop a highly interactive module enhancing the student learning experience.
“I am honoured to receive such a prestigious award” said Professor Cook. “Student experience is of enormous importance at Swansea and I am extremely proud of the unprecedented national recognition that Economics has achieved in recent years. This award is a further reflection of the enthusiasm and hard work of our staff.’’
Professor Cook will receive his award at the Economics Network’s national conference to be held at the London School of Economics from 5-7 September.
Dr. Paul L. Latreille, Reader in Economics, and Director of the Swansea Academy of Learning and Teaching (SALT), highlighted that Professor Cook’s award is well deserved: “Steve is not only an excellent teacher but also an outstanding researcher - qualities that are both evidenced in the transformation he has effected in the teaching of undergraduate econometrics here at Swansea. His approach is engaging for the students, pedagogically sound, and has delivered genuine improvements in performance.”
Professor Alan Speight, Swansea’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Academic Quality and Student Experience praised Professor Cook’s commitment to excellent teaching practice: “Steve is to be commended for his efforts in developing a module which demonstrates the practical relevance of a difficult, and sometimes inaccessible subject, which has led to the creation of a range of subject-specific and transferable skills, and has increased student engagement.”
Professor Cook is not alone among Swansea economists in delivering teaching excellence: the Economics Department been recognised 10 times at a national level since 2003- more than any other Economics department in the UK, and firmly establishing its reputation at the forefront of teaching quality.
Find out more about Economics at Swansea University at www.swan.ac.uk/sbe/economics/
Visit the School of Business and Economics at www.swansea.ac.uk/business/
