The Excellence in Teaching Awards reflect UCC’s commitment to teaching excellence and recognise staff who have contributed significantly to students learning through their teaching.These awards have been in place at UCC since 2004 and they honour the efforts of outstanding individuals or teams that contribute to excellence and innovation in learning and teaching across the university and enhance student learning.
Everyone at CUBS were thrilled to have three brillaint award winners on the night, the management and marketing team of Dr. Dave Alton, Dr. Conor Drummond, Dr. Sean Tanner, and Dr. Helen McGrath, Co-director of the MSc Business Analytics Dr. Stephen McCarthy and Co-Program Director of the BSc in International Business with Languages Dr Marie Ryan.
Dr. Dave Alton, Dr. Conor Drummond, Dr. Sean Tanner, recieving their award from UCC President John O'Halloran, Not in picture Dr. Helen McGrath
Pic Credit John Allen Photography
Dr. Dave Alton, Dr. Conor Drummond, Dr. Sean Tanner, and Dr. Helen McGrath
Dr. Dave Alton, Dr. Conor Drummond, Dr. Sean Tanner, and Dr. Helen McGrath were honored with the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, specifically for their work in rolling out a new induction progamme for the MSc Marketing, focused around experiential learning. This recognition is a testament to their collective dedication to reimagining and enhancing postgraduate business education, particularly within the MSc Marketing programme.
Serving as Programme Co-Directors, Dr. Conor Drummond and Dr. Helen McGrath were pivotal in redesigning the curriculum. One notable initiative was the two-week orientation series, which included experiential learning activities such as live case studies with a real-world Chief Marketing Officer, PR simulations conducted with a professional based on real business crises, onboarding marketing challenges to help induct students from diverse cultural backgrounds get to know Cork City and UCC better and spontaneous case competitions. The programme induction was based around mimicking real-life scenarios and immersion through working closely with industry professionals from the programmes’ offset which had a profound impact on student resilience and team dynamics.
In the words of Dr. Conor Drummond, "We are honored to receive this award, reflecting our commitment to providing students with a rich and engaging learning environment. Our focus on experiential learning and industry collaboration sets the tone and standard for the entire program, preparing students for the challenges and expectations they will encounter in their professional lives."
This President's Award underscores the team's exceptional efforts in pushing the boundaries of traditional teaching methods. It highlights their commitment to fostering a transformative educational experience for MSc Marketing students at UCC centred around both the curricular and positive classroom dynamics, ensuring they graduate with not only theoretical knowledge but also the resilience and practical skills needed in the ever changing dynamic world of business.
Dr. Stephen McCarthy recieving his award from UCC President John O'Halloran
Dr Stephen McCarthy
Dr. Stephen McCarthy received the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching for his work in delivering a blended approach to student inquiry through face-to-face dialogue and digital learning tools. This was carried out as part of his role as a lecturer in information systems and co-director of the MSc Business Analytics programme at Cork University Business School.
Stephen’s approach involves a combination of participatory techniques and digital tools, such as Mentimeter, Miro, and Google Jamboard, to engage students in active discussion around different topics in the lecture hall. His teaching philosophy follows the principles of active learning where teaching activities are learner-centric and require active student involvement in actions such as inquiry, discussions, role-play, group work, and reflection.
One example of his approach involves the use of complex case studies that encourage students to argue their own opinions and develop contrary arguments around the success of different IS projects. These exercises aim to enhance the employability of students by ensuring that teaching is informed by the needs of the IT sector.
As stated by Stephen: “I’m very humbled by this recognition which serves as a great motivation to continue my strive for excellence in teaching and research going forward. I believe empowerment is an important part of learning and I encourage students to trust their abilities to succeed. Participation exercises provide students with the freedom to learn in collaboration with their peers and develop skills that prepare them for success in their future careers"
Dr Marie Ryan recieving her award from UCC President John O'Halloran.
Dr Marie Ryan
Dr. Marie Ryan is a Lecturer in Economics and Director of BComm International. Her career is marked by significant international collaborations and leadership roles, particularly in the Middle East, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing intercultural learning and knowledge exchange. Dr. Ryan's teaching philosophy, a tapestry of lifelong learning, inclusivity, integrity, and UDL-driven innovation, is deeply influenced by educational stalwarts like Shulman, Gardner, and Meyer, Rose, & Gordon. Her approach is characterised by three core pillars: promoting lifelong learning through situational and meaningful economic education, fostering inclusivity and innovation through UDL, and upholding academic integrity.
Her teaching is not just about imparting economic theories but about nurturing critical thinking and applying economic concepts to real-life scenarios. By integrating diverse educational principles and innovative teaching strategies, she has crafted a unique approach that resonates with students from varied backgrounds. Dr. Ryan's commitment to student-centric pedagogy, co-creation in assessments, and diverse learning methodologies exemplifies her dedication to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
Dr. Marie Ryan said on winning the award "This award is not just a recognition of my work but a testament to the power of education that transcends traditional boundaries. It reflects my belief in an education system where learning is a collaborative, inclusive, and evolving journey. My goal has always been to empower students to become not just learners of economics but critical thinkers and lifelong learners who can apply these concepts in real-world contexts. This award reinforces my commitment to creating an educational environment where every student, irrespective of their background, can thrive and excel."