Dr Ellie Davison Awarded National Biochemical Society Teaching Excellence Award

In 2017, Dr Ellie Davison was the founding Director of Teaching and Learning for the Science Foundation Year and has advocated its principles of widening access to science in Lincoln ever since. She has now been nationally recognised for her outstanding efforts with this year’s Biochemical Society Teaching Excellence Award for sustained and continued impact, inspiring students and colleagues to excel.

Dr Ellie Davison, Associate Professor in Foundation Studies at the University of Lincoln, UK said: “I’m thrilled to receive the Biochemical Society Teaching Excellence Award and to be able to champion our magnificent foundation science students who, often against a backdrop of personal challenges or circumstances, enrich our institutions with their determination to succeed.”

Providing a year ‘zero’, the Science Foundation Year (SFY) equips students who have faced barriers to learning, been away from education or have non-traditional qualifications with the knowledge to excel in their chosen subject. Despite over half of the entrants not having A-level qualifications, SFY alumni outperform those who begin in year 1, and the cohort has grown from 30 students in its first year to now nearly 300.

Brayden Albery, SFY alumnus said: “It’s unbelievable to think that when I joined the College of Science as a mature student on the foundation year that I’d dropped out of college, I didn’t like school and I wasn’t sure what to expect or what I would achieve.

“My foundation year set me up to excel. I’ve been astounded by the personal and educational gains I’ve made: I’ve published a paper; I’m a teaching intern and a researcher now; I’m on track to gain a distinction in my master’s; and I’m aiming to start my PhD next year. I feel like through making the most of all the extra opportunities that Lincoln offers I’ve come further than I ever thought was possible.

“I hope that my achievements thus far are just the first steps towards gaining my highest future career aspirations of a professorship and a higher doctorate. I will be a scientist!”

Ellie’s teaching of the modules has been extensively praised by students and staff alike, regularly achieving 100% satisfaction across the board in module evaluations, including for the quality of teaching, academic support and organisation.

Jaslynn Kaur, a second year Pharmacy student who also took the SFY, said: “Ellie is a phenomenal teacher and person. Biology had never made sense to me, however, seeing how she broke down the steps that led to this journey, I was left in awe of the human body. That is the effect Ellie’s teaching has on people.

“I absolutely loved her teaching, there was always so much passion she showcased and as a student you were just so excited to be in the room and learn. To this day, I appreciate the sparks she gave me, which inspire me to learn more”.

University of Lincoln Provost, Professor Liz Mossop, said: “Ellie consistently works above her current role and she demonstrates excellent leadership skills way beyond my expectations. She is a leading light in our institution and a role model for values and behaviours.”

The SFY offers integrated entry routes onto a wide range of degree-level programmes in the College of Science in the areas of Chemistry, Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Physics, Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Science.

For more information, visit: SFYSFYUB | Courses | University of Lincoln