Dr. Georgina Blakeley, formerly Director of Teaching and Deputy Head of School at the Open University (OU) in the United Kingdom, received the 2019 European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities on September 13 in Budapest, during the opening ceremony of CEU’s 29th academic year.
"I view my role as a teacher quite broadly, so it does not stop at the doors of the classroom. It is a role that encompasses both formal and informal learning, it is about sharing ideas and learning from other colleagues and students. And it is also about mentoring and leading colleagues," Dr. Blakeley told us in an interview.
She said that she personally enjoys teaching most the students who are starting out in their studies. "I think that should be the gold standard of our teaching because that is where you can make the most difference," she explained.
"The European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities is really important for two reasons. First and foremost because teaching is still very much a poor cousin to research, so it is really important that teaching in its own right is recognized and rewarded," Dr. Blakeley said.
"Secondly, I think, in the times that we are living, it is really important that the award recognizes the social sciences and humanities because in an era of populism the value of the social sciences and humanities is under question by many governments around the world."
The award, initiated by Central European University’s Provost and Pro-Rector Liviu Matei, is administered by the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning, aims to promote excellence in teaching across the European Higher Education Area. It is accompanied by the €5,000 Diener Prize, made possible through the generosity of Steven and Linda Diener in memory of Ilona Diener. For further information on the award and past winners, visit here.
