Law Teacher of the Year 2020 announced after judging moves online

Oxford University Press (OUP) is pleased to announce that Emma Flint of the University of Birmingham has been named Law Teacher of the Year 2020.

Accepting the award during an online awards ceremony held on 8 April, Emma paid generous tribute to all the candidates: “You are all an amazing bunch of law teachers, and I certainly have a desire to collaborate with you and share more ideas. This has been a tough year for everyone, and winning this award genuinely means such a lot. Thank you”.

Law Teacher of the Year is an annual award coordinated by OUP and is presented to a leading university-level teacher of Law in the UK. The 2020 judging panel consisted of Lydia Bleasdale, Associate Professor, University of Leeds; Nick Clapham, Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Surrey; Dawn Watkins, Professor, University of Leicester; and Marianne Lightowler, Head of Marketing, Oxford University Press. At all times the candidates are judged against on whether they display an approach to teaching that engages, motivates, and inspires students; demonstrate commitment to the development and support of their students as individuals; and involve their students in research or other academic activities to enhance the learning experience.

The judging process for the 2020 Law Teacher of the Year award was both a lengthy and unique one, with all judging taking place online and the award delayed until later in the year than usual. Each of the five candidates were interviewed online as well as being observed in both synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions by members of the judging panel. Students, colleagues, and Heads of Department were also interviewed as part of the process.

Marianne Lightowler, the OUP judge, said: “Choosing a winner in such a strong line-up was no easy task. The candidates all displayed exceptional teaching, regardless of the format, and each received endless praise from their students and peers”.

The other finalists were:

• Neal Geach, University of Hertfordshire
• Rebecca Maina, Solent University
• Maria Moscati, University of Sussex
• Francine Ryan, The Open University

Due to the disruption to this year’s process because of the pandemic, there will not be a 2021 award but OUP will open entries for the 2022 award in October.

Details of all the previous finalists and winners of the Law Teacher of the Year Award can be found online at www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/lawteacher