Learn how you can be recognised nationally for your excellent teaching practice.
About the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme and the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence
Advance HE run two national awards that recognise and celebrate the impact of UK higher education teaching across individuals, teams and institutions.
National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS)
The NTFS “recognises, rewards and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession”.
Sussex can nominate up to three members of staff who teach and/or support learning in higher education. Find out more.
Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE)
Introduced in 2016, this award “recognises and celebrates collaborative work that has had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning.” Find out more.
- Sussex winners of the NTFS
Michael Okorie (2026)Professor Michael Okorie is a clinical academic at Brighton and Sussex Medical School who has advanced prescribing education and training through curriculum innovation and contributions to national and international initiatives. His leadership and scholarship continue to influence medical graduates, strengthening healthcare workforce development, patient safety and educational excellence.
Emily Danvers (2025)
‘Dr Emily Danvers is an Associate Professor in Education at the University of Sussex whose research and teaching are grounded in principles of equity, relationality, and critical inquiry. Through curriculum design, mentoring, equity initiatives and international work, she supports staff and students alike, fostering transformative learning spaces rooted in compassion, complexity and collaboration.’
Tab Betts (2023)
‘Tab Betts is a Lecturer in Higher Education Pedagogy at the University of Sussex and a learning technology consultant. He has been building international collaborations and developing inclusive learning in higher education for more than 15 years. He is co-founder of the Active Learning Network, a global community promoting pedagogic innovation.’
Dr Susan Smith (2022)
‘Her innovative work builds on values of collaboration and inclusivity, to foster a sense of belonging, and narrow awarding gaps. Her passion for continuous improvement and new innovations are delivering a transformative learning experience.’
Dr Harry Witchel (2021)
‘Harry Witchel’s educational leadership at BSMS has resulted in significant improvements in student exam scores while maintaining exam difficulty and increasing the breadth of coverage.’
Dr Wendy Garnham (2020)
‘Wendy has designed and delivered innovative, award-winning projects in collaboration with students that have resulted in accelerated achievement and increased creativity. Wendy co-founded the Active Learning Network which is now in its fourth year, with 10 satellite groups and a reach of over 121 countries worldwide.’
Professor Claire Smith (2018)
‘When [Dr] Claire France Smith started teaching 16 years ago, higher education was a different landscape. She has been part of a major transformation in education with digital literacy, major medical advances, tuition fees and a changing political landscape.’
Professor Simon Thompson (2016)
‘Simon Thompson is Head of Education at the University of Sussex and leads a growing department of teaching and research faculty who promote the learning of over 1000 students. Formerly Director of Initial Teacher Education and leader of the History PGCE, Simon still maintains a personal teaching portfolio including contributions to foundation year modules, undergraduates, postgraduates, professional learning communities and doctoral students’
Professor Michelle Lefevere (2015)
‘Since 2013 Dr Michelle Lefevre has led the department which has topped The Guardian University Guide league table for social work for two years in a row, having been appointed as a teaching fellow at the University of Sussex in 2000, lecturer in 2003, and senior lecturer in 2009. Michelle has taught and convened courses across all academic levels (BA, MA, Doctoral) and for students on both qualifying-level and continuing professional development (CPD) courses.’
Professor Andy Field (2010)
‘Andy has spent his career trying to empower students to learn statistics both in the classroom, through his ‘statistics hell’ website and through his hit textbook ‘Discovering statistics using SPSS: and sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’. Andy believes that if you engage students they will want to learn.’
- Sussex winners of the CATE
Playful Learning Association (2024)
’The Playful Learning Association (PLA) is driven by a team of educators, researchers, professionals, and university leaders. They collaborate across institutions to promote playful learning approaches in higher education, inspiring educators and transforming teaching practices by challenging traditional views of play and emphasising its potential for learning.’
My Dead Body – Broadening the reach of Anatomy Education (2023)
‘The anatomy team have adopted groundbreaking approaches to widening access to anatomy and clinical education. The generosity of body donors, new technology and the establishment of the Public Display license enabled the development of dedicated teaching sessions and the documentary My Dead Body, which has had a positive influence on millions.’
The Central Foundation Years Programme Team (2019)
‘The Central Foundation Years Programme at the University of Sussex is an innovative cross-disciplinary collaboration supporting student transitions into higher education. It does this through creative initiatives in holistic pastoral/academic support, integrating technology to support transitions and, crucially, working with students-as-partners. This has led to greater access, student choice and excellent outcomes for a diverse student body.’
Time for Dementia (2018)
‘Time for Dementia (TfD) is a dementia education programme led by a group of teaching and research colleagues at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. In TfD, students are introduced to a family with dementia early in their training and then visit that family in pairs, every three months for two years to build an understanding of what it is to have dementia, as well as attending supporting workshops and stakeholder conferences.’
Timeline for 2027 applicants
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Wednesday 5 November 2026 (3:45-4:45pm) - Online workshop led by Professor Wendy Garnham and Dr Katie Piatt for anyone considering an NTFS or CATE application in 2027 or a future year. Contact Katie Piatt for an invitation and information about mentoring.
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Friday 11 December 2026 (5pm) - Draft submission due. If you are still gathering evidence or awaiting project outcomes, please include these in your draft. Previous applicants should also include a response to earlier feedback.
- Friday 18 December 2026 - Applicants notified of the nominations being taken forward and any revisions required.
- Friday 12 February 2027 - Near-final submission for internal feedback.
- Friday 19 February 2027 - Final submission from shortlisted applicants, including supporting documents.
- Friday 26 February 2027 - Supporting statements prepared by the internal team.
- Wednesday 10 March 2027 - Final NTFS and CATE submissions sent to Advance HE by Educational Enhancement.