A quartet of awards for Teesside academics

A Teesside University academic has received prestigious recognition for his services to higher education.

Dr Mark Simpson, Dean of the School of Social Sciences & Law, has been awarded a Principal Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy (HEA) – becoming only the second academic from Teesside University to receive the accolade.

The Principal Fellowship is the highest fellowship bestowed by the HEA and is awarded to a select number of academics who have excelled in the strategic leadership of teaching and learning.

Dr Simpson, who graduated from Teesside University with a degree in politics before completing his doctorate in 2003, said: 'It is a great honour to receive the Principal Fellowship and something I am immensely proud of.

'During my time at Teesside University, the School of Social Sciences & Law has established itself as a pioneer in the field, offering unique services such as Teesside Law Clinic and the ground-breaking Teesside Centre for Realist Criminology.

'This Fellowship is a reflection of the standards we have set and reinforces the high quality experience students can expect to receive here.'

There are three levels of Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy – Fellowship, Senior and Principal.

As well as Dr Simpson’s success, a trio of lecturers who all worked together before moving into academia have each received honours for their work.

Senior Lecturers in Medical Imaging Peter Walker-Birch, Robert Dash and Mark Widdowfield have been awarded Fellowships from the HEA.

The three colleagues first met at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead where Robert was the superintendent radiographer in main X-ray. They now work together to share their knowledge with students in Teesside University’s School of Health & Social Care.

Peter studied an MSc Diagnostic Radiography at Teesside and worked as a Diagnostic Radiographer before becoming a lecturer. He said: 'From starting my degree to receiving the Fellowship, I feel that the University has supported me greatly. It is one of the best universities in the country for Diagnostic Radiography and I am proud to be part of the team here.'

Robert added: 'Receiving a Fellowship from the HEA gives a real sense of approval for the good work we do here in the School of Health & Social Care.

'It is a great feeling to be able to share that success with my colleagues who I have enjoyed working with for many years.'

Mark Widdowfield, who has ambitions to study towards a PhD, said: 'After receiving the Fellowship I am now looking at building on my existing skills and doing the best I can for the students.

Professor Paul Keane OBE, Dean of the School of Health & Social Care, said: 'We are extremely proud of the success of our students and staff and this recognition for Peter, Robert and Mark is a testament to all of the hard work and dedication they have shown over the years.

'The fellowships are great recognition for their individual careers but also show our students, potential students and employers the high calibre of expertise here at Teesside University.'

---