Advance HE awards 10,000th Senior Fellowship to Plymouth academic

An academic who has been teaching students about the various applications of mathematics for more than three decades has been welcomed by Advance HE as its 10,000th Senior Fellow. 

Dr John Eales has been Associate Head (Teaching and Learning) in the School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics at the University of Plymouth since 2011.

He is also Senior Quality Officer (Teaching Enhancement) in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, as well as continuing to teach modules on Medical Statistics on the mathematics degrees and Quantitative Methods on the Accounting and Finance programme.

Since joining the University in 1990, Dr Eales has taught thousands of students across five faculties from Foundation through to Masters level.

His new fellowship, applied for with support from the Teaching and Learning Support team, demonstrates his ongoing commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience.

This was evidenced through a sustained record of effectiveness in relation to teaching and learning, while the application also involved one of his teaching sessions being independently reviewed.

Dr Eales said:

“This process has given me the opportunity to reflect on my whole career, and to assess how I can improve my current and future teaching. The support I have received during the process has helped me to appreciate that I have made a positive difference to people and that is very gratifying. A lot of colleagues in my area might be put off applying for a fellowship, believing that they exist for those doing lots of trendy pedagogical activities, but in reality it is about being reflective and having a genuine commitment to giving students a quality experience”

Professor Julian Chaudhuri, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at the University, added:

“Advance HE’s fellowships recognise the professionalism, expertise and commitment of our lecturers. Around 100 Plymouth academics have been awarded senior fellowships over the years, and their experience in turn has huge benefits for our students. John has taught thousands of students over almost three decades at the University, and this accolade is just reward for his work across all subjects and levels of study.”

Alison Johns, CEO of Advance HE (previously the Higher Education Academy), said:

“Advance HE reaching the milestone of 10,000 Senior Fellows is a real testament to the hard work of applicants and their successful engagement across all five areas of activity outlined in the UK Professional Standards Framework. I’m delighted that John is our 10,000th Senior Fellow, the news is a fitting reflection of his impressive career.”