Prestigious prize for Teesside Professor

A University of Teesside Professor has been awarded a prestigious international prize previously won by some of the biggest names in the computing world.

Alan Clements, 59, from Middlesbrough, is a Professor in the University’s School of Computing. He has won the 2007 Taylor L Booth Education Award, the highest international award in computer science education. Professor Clements is the first European to win the Award, which has tended to go to Japanese and American winners over the past 17 years.

Among the illustrious list of previous winners is Harold Abelson, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in the US, who is widely regarded as one of the great pioneers of computer science. Professor Clements won the award for running an international computing competition, his texts on computing and work on curriculum development.

The award comes from the internationally-renowned IEEE Computer Society and consists of a bronze medal and a $5,000 honorarium. He will be presented with the award in Las Vegas on Wednesday 14 May.

Professor Clements said: 'I am delighted to have won this award. I would never have won without the support and resources of both the University and the School of Computing. They have allowed me to develop my talents in computer science education. If the University hadn't given me the opportunity to do this, I wouldn't be where I am today.'

The awards are given for people attaining an outstanding record in computer science and engineering education. Criteria include:

• achieving recognition as a teacher of renown
• leading, inspiring or providing significant education content during the creation of a curriculum in the field
• inspiring others to a career in computer science and engineering education.

Professor Clements' citation reads: 'For outstanding contributions to education in the field of computer architecture, as demonstrated by teaching, education publications, and dedication to nurturing the future leaders of the computing professions.'

Professor Clements has also achieved other honours. In 2002, he received the Undergraduate Teacher of the Year Award in the US and he has also been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship, in recognition of the quality of his lecturing.

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