Two UCL educators awarded prestigious National Teaching Fellowship

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) recognises, rewards and celebrates colleagues who have made outstanding impacts on education and student outcomes in higher education.  

We are delighted that two senior educators from UCL have received awards this year. Here, we share an overview of their work and the achievements that have led to these coveted teaching awards.  

Professor John Mitchell 

Professor of Communications Systems Engineering in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Sciences  

Professor John Mitchell has been recognised for his impressive track record as a radical – yet eminently practical – innovator in education for over two decades at UCL.  

Prof Mitchell’s far-sighted work on the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP) is recognised as a trailblazer in Engineering Education. Through his work at UCL, Prof Mitchell has transformed education in this subject so that it has become an exemplar of research-based education and authentic assessment.  

Prof Mitchell has also been a determined champion for better recognition and clearer career progression for teaching staff, and he has contributed much to the development of the UCL Education Awards. 

Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience) Professor Kathy Armour says: 

““A much-praised colleague, Prof Mitchell works through partnership by building bridges, welcoming collaboration and consulting widely and authentically. He does not seek the limelight; he simply finds out what needs to be done and sets about it.”  

Professor Tim Young 

Professor of Clinical Neurology at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences  

Professor Tim Young’s inspiring work at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology has changed education, especially for postgraduate students. Prof Young has taken the cutting-edge research of which we are so proud at UCL and linked it directly to medical education. He is an impressive example of what can be achieved through collaboration and education both within and beyond the university.

It is no surprise that Prof Young was influential at a national level in our response to COVID as well as – of course – being a volunteer. He was involved in disseminating important and timely knowledge to over 1,000 frontline medical practitioners, many of whom were still registered students at the time. 

Prof Young’s sustained dedication to education has recently been recognised both by his recent promotion to Professor (Teaching) and the award of Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academic (HEA), and now this NTF award too.  

Vice Provost (Education & Student Experience) Professor Kathy Armour says:  

““Professor Tim Young has seized the opportunity and shown time and again that he can make a truly profound difference to students and education, across his entire field.” 

How can you gain recognition for your achievements in education 

UCL Arena Fellowship  

Through the UCL Arena Fellowship, all staff who teach or support students’ learning, can gain Higher Education Academic (HEA) accreditation through AdvanceHE. Staff can gain Fellowship in one of four categories, dependent on experience:  

• Associate Fellowship  
• Fellowship  
• Senior Fellowship  
• Principal Fellowship  

Book an upcoming initial guidance session to find out more.  

UCL Provost Education Awards 

UCL’s annual Education Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of staff and students. Each year, staff and students are invited to nominate exceptional educators. Nominations for these awards are used as a starting basis for submissions to the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme.  

Look out for the 2024/25 timeline to nominate deserving colleagues!  

About the National Teaching Fellowship scheme 

The National Teaching Fellowship scheme celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education. Each year, institutions can nominate up to three individuals. The award has been running since 2000 and there are now over one thousand National Teaching Fellows, with a maximum of 55 individuals receiving the award each year.