Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards announced

Massey University senior lecturer Lisa Emerson has won the Prime Minister's Supreme Award at this year's Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards.

Nine winners were announced in Parliament tonight, each receiving $20,000 each and supreme winner Dr Emerson getting $30,000.

Dr Emerson is a senior lecturer at Massey University's School of English and Media Studies.

The nine Sustained Excellence Awards were given to Dr Hamish Anderson, Department of Economics and Finance, Massey University; Julia Bruce, hairdressing tutor, Centre for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Wintec; Dr Dawn Garbett, Associate Dean Teaching and Learning, University of Auckland; Professor John Hosking, Department of Computer Science, Auckland University; Dr Ian McAndrew, senior lecturer in Employment Relations, Otago University; Dr John Reynolds, senior lecturer, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Otago University; Dr Sean Waver, School of Geography, Environment and Earth Science, Victoria University; Dr Marc Wilson, School of Psychology, Victoria University; and Adrian Woodhouse, catering lecturer, Otago Polytechnic.

Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson hosted the award ceremony in Parliament tonight, saying those chosen influenced the learning of thousands of students.

"No matter what their area of expertise, these winners are committed, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and expert in their chosen discipline," he said.

"Research tells us that the quality of engagement and interaction between student and teacher is one of the most important components of successful learning."