Dr Ayomikun Idowu collecting his award

Dr Xiangming Tao with his award

The Education Awards

Dr Graziana De Pede (centre left) with Dr Luis Ponce Cuspinera (right), receiving their award

On Thursday 18 April, the Sussex Education Awards 2024 were held at The Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts, marking a momentous occasion where dedicated and innovative staff members were celebrated by their colleagues and students.

The Business School celebrated four academics winning awards across two categories. From the department of Management, Dr Ayomikun Idowu, Dr Graziana Di Pede and Dr Mirela Barbu won awards in the Inclusive Sussex and World Readiness categories, along with SPRU Lecturer, Dr Xiangming Tao.

Dr Mirela Barbu won the World Readiness award for her Business Analysis and Consulting module. With the help of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services (EFCS), she can provide real-world topics for her students. This unique partnership enriches the educational experience by allowing students to assume consulting roles on campus but also provides EFCS with valuable insights into on-campus services from the student’s perspective.

She commented:

“Over the past four years, our students have embarked on diverse projects such as the evaluation of on-campus catering services and the opening of a new supermarket, the improvement of sports facilities, the assessment of student awareness of sustainable transportation options and the analysis of student behaviour and attitudes towards energy consumption at the East Slope residencies.

“The Education Award received this year recognises the value of our fruitful collaboration. I am very grateful to Helen Power-Hosking and her team for their enthusiasm and continued support of our student's learning journey.”

Dr Graziana De Pede also won the World Readiness award for her Professional and Managerial Skills module, which she teaches with Dr Luis Ponce Cuspinera from the School of Engineering and Informatics.

Graziana said:

“This award is a great example of collaboration and interdisciplinarity. It shows that by working together and seeking productive relationships with key stakeholders such as careers consultants and industry experts, we can play a crucial role in preparing our students for the world of work. This is at the heart of what we do, and we wish them every success.”

This annual event was Co-hosted by Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Michael Luck, alongside the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Professor Kate O’Riordan.

Staff could be nominated for five award categories; ‘Teaching to Disrupt’, ‘World Readiness’, ‘Better World’, ‘Learning Together’, and ‘Inclusive Sussex’, designed to recognise educators who have exemplified outstanding contributions in various aspects of education.

Dr Xiangming Tao, won the Inclusive Sussex award for providing mentoring and thesis guidance to numerous international students, and for his academic curiosity and commitment to rigorous research methodologies, laying a robust foundation for those aspiring to pursue doctoral studies.

Dr Tao commented:

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Inclusive Sussex Award. I am sincerely grateful for the nominations from my exceptional students, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have such supportive mentors and colleagues in SPRU and the Business School, with whom I continuously learn and collaborate.

“Teaching is not just my profession; it is my passion, and I am committed to upholding these principles in all aspects of my work. This recognition is truly inspiring and fuels my determination to continue making a positive impact in our community.”

Dr Ayomikun Idowu won the Inclusive Sussex award for his innovative teaching methods, and recognition of his students' diverse learning needs, ensuring that all voices in his classroom are heard and valued, creating an engaging and encouraging learning environment.

Dr Idowu added:

“It is incredibly humbling to have been nominated in three categories and to win the Inclusive Sussex Award. This award is an acknowledgement of the collective effort and collaborative spirit that I strive to foster in my classrooms. So, I share this award wholeheartedly with my students who have made this journey truly remarkable.”

The Sussex Education Awards 2024 not only celebrate individual success but also the University's dedication to creating an inclusive learning environment. The event showcases the commitment of educators to innovation and excellence, affirming the strong reputation for academic leadership at Sussex.