Friday 06 08 2021
A University of the West of Scotland Professor has secured a prestigious national award celebrating teaching excellence.
The National Teaching Fellowship has been awarded to UWS academic Professor Jean Rankin for her contribution to midwifery education, for which the University is the largest Centre of Excellence in Scotland.
The award celebrates learning and teaching which has made a significant impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.
As an institution committed to delivering sector-leading, high-quality learning and teaching, and as one of Scotland’s leading providers of nursing and midwifery education, it is fantastic to see the institution and the work of Professor Rankin highlighted in this way. The National Teaching Fellowship is a highly prestigious accolade celebrating teaching excellence and is something I am proud to have championed throughout both the UK and Scottish HE sectors.
Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS
Professor Rankin has been recognised for her work in reducing the theory practice gap in midwifery education, through the use of meaningful learning, teaching and assessments and strengthening partnerships with clinical colleagues and users of maternity care.
She also played a key role in putting forward proposals to develop accredited standards for the education of breastfeeding and has authored six international textbooks for student midwives.
Commenting on the National Teaching Fellow award, she said: “I am delighted and honoured to be the recipient of an Advance HE Teaching Fellowship Award to acknowledge my contribution to learning and teaching in midwifery and higher education. This award has been made possible due to the opportunities and support offered to me during my 25 years as an academic, where UWS has remained at the forefront in the development and implementation of contemporary higher education.”
Dr Chris O'Donnell, Head of the Centre for Learning Transformation and Enhancement at UWS, said: “I'm delighted Professor Rankin has been awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship. Professor Rankin has an international reputation for innovation in the learning and teaching of maternal and family health. She is a practise-orientated educator who has been recognised for her outstanding individual teaching, mentoring and international impact of her leadership in midwifery education. This award is testament to her hard work and commitment she’s made to UWS learning and teaching.”
Julie Edgar, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences at UWS, said: “I am pleased that Jean’s passion and commitment to midwifery education over her career is being celebrated with this award. Jean is an experienced academic in all aspects of midwifery, pregnancy, childbirth and family care, but has also played an integral role in UWS being recognised as a Centre of Excellence for midwifery education in Scotland. On behalf of the School of Health and Life Sciences, I’d like to extend my congratulations to Professor Rankin for this fantastic achievement.”