The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) recognises educators who have demonstrated sustained excellence and made outstanding contributions to enhancing the student learning experience.  This year, 55 educators from across the UK received National Teaching Fellowships, while 15 collaborative teams were recognised through Advanced HE’s Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) for their lasting impact on student success, innovation and educational practice. 

Professor Sandie Dann has been a lecturer at Loughborough University since 1997 and is now a Professor of Materials Chemistry and the Head of the Department of Chemistry in the School of Science. Alongside her teaching leadership, she has established an extensive network of research collaborators in the UK and internationally.

Her current research spans functional materials synthesis and characterisation, including zeolites, catalysts and hydrogen storage materials and she has a particular interest in understanding and developing functional materials derived from minerals. Sandie is currently Deputy Director of the £12.9M Engineering Hydrogen (EnerHy) CDT which will train 80 PhD students in partnership with industry over 8 years.  A Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA), Professor Dann is passionate advocate for public engagement and collaborative approaches to solving educational challenges. She believes that solutions are most effective when developed in partnership with those directly affected and is committed to supporting practitioner-led innovation in education. She is currently leading a Royal Society of Chemistry funded project with Imogen Heaton, working alongside In2Science and first-year undergraduate students to improve transitions into higher education and support the retention of students from under-represented backgrounds.

Speaking on her award, Sandie said:

“I was honoured to be recognised by Loughborough University by being nominated as a NTF candidate.  To be selected for this opportunity from so many committed and student-focused colleagues is truly a privilege for which I am very grateful.  I can’t believe that anyone would be more surprised than me to see the successful email pop into their mail box.  It is testament to the supportive staff-student community at Loughborough and what I have learnt from so many generous collaborators that is being recognised by this award.  A million thanks to them all.”

Dr Tina Byrom, Head of Enhanced Academic Practice at Loughborough, added:

“A huge congratulations to Sandie on being awarded a National Teaching Fellowship.  It is a highly competitive scheme, with only around 55 awards being made each year, so we're particularly delighted that her work in the academic integrity space and her leadership within Chemistry has been reflected and recognised by this award.”

To learn more about NTF and whether you could use your experience and evidence to support a future application, please contact Sarah Turner in the Enhanced Academic Practice team.