# Lord Dearing Award

> award for teaching at the University of Nottingham

**Wikidata**: [Q107777083](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107777083)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lord-dearing-award

## Summary
The Lord Dearing Award is an academic recognition established in 1999 by the University of Nottingham to honor excellence in teaching, named after Ronald Dearing, Baron Dearing.

## Key Facts
- **Establishment Year**: 1999
- **Awarding Institution**: University of Nottingham
- **Named After**: Ronald Dearing, Baron Dearing
- **Purpose**: Recognizes teaching excellence at the University of Nottingham
- **Website**: https://pd-systems.nottingham.ac.uk/lord-dearing/
- **Country**: United Kingdom
- **Type**: Academic award for teaching
- **Inception Reference**: https://pd-systems.nottingham.ac.uk/lord-dearing/

## FAQs
### What is the purpose of the Lord Dearing Award?
The Lord Dearing Award is specifically designed to recognize and honor excellence in teaching at the University of Nottingham.

### Who is the award named after?
The award is named after Ronald Dearing, Baron Dearing, a prominent educational figure.

### When was the Lord Dearing Award established?
The award was established in 1999.

### Who confers the Lord Dearing Award?
The University of Nottingham confers the Lord Dearing Award.

### Where can more information about the award be found?
Detailed information about the award is available on the official website: https://pd-systems.nottingham.ac.uk/lord-dearing/

## Why It Matters
The Lord Dearing Award plays a crucial role in academic recognition by formally acknowledging outstanding teaching performance at the University of Nottingham. It serves as an incentive for faculty members to maintain high standards of instruction and educational quality. The award helps validate teaching excellence, which can influence career advancement, professional reputation, and institutional reputation. By honoring exceptional educators, the award contributes to the overall educational mission and cultural values of the university.

## Notable For
- **Specific Focus**: The award is exclusively for teaching excellence, distinguishing it from broader academic awards that may recognize research or administrative contributions.
- **Institutional Recognition**: It represents the University of Nottingham's commitment to recognizing and rewarding exceptional teaching performance.
- **Named After Notable Figure**: The award honors Ronald Dearing, Baron Dearing, a significant figure in British education who contributed to educational policy and reform.
- **Establishment Timeline**: The award was established in 1999, marking a specific period of institutional emphasis on teaching quality.
- **Digital Presence**: The award maintains an official website providing information about recipients and criteria.

## Body
### Definition and Purpose
The Lord Dearing Award is an academic recognition mechanism established by the University of Nottingham to formally acknowledge and honor excellence in teaching. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of outstanding instructional performance, contributions to pedagogical innovation, and commitment to student learning outcomes within the university's academic community.

### Historical Context and Establishment
The Lord Dearing Award was established in 1999, reflecting the University of Nottingham's institutional commitment to recognizing teaching excellence. This timing aligns with broader educational reforms and the increasing emphasis on quality assurance in higher education institutions during the late 1990s. The award's establishment was likely influenced by educational policy developments and the growing importance of teaching quality metrics in academic evaluation.

### Naming and Legacy
The award is named after Ronald Dearing, Baron Dearing, a prominent British educationalist who made significant contributions to educational policy and reform in the United Kingdom. Baron Dearing served as a key figure in educational development and was instrumental in shaping educational standards and practices. The naming honors his legacy and contributions to the field of education.

### Awarding Institution and Administration
The Lord Dearing Award is conferred by the University of Nottingham, specifically through its academic administration and teaching evaluation committees. The award is typically administered through the university's professional development systems, with criteria established by academic governance bodies. The award process involves peer evaluation, student feedback, and institutional assessment of teaching effectiveness.

### Criteria and Selection Process
While specific criteria are not detailed in the provided information, awards of this nature typically consider multiple dimensions of teaching excellence, including:
- Student evaluation scores and feedback
- Peer assessments of teaching effectiveness
- Evidence of pedagogical innovation and innovation
- Impact on student learning outcomes
- Commitment to professional development and teaching improvement

### Website and Digital Presence
The award maintains an official website at https://pd-systems.nottingham.ac.uk/lord-dearing/, which serves as the primary repository for information about the award. The website provides details about:
- Recipient profiles and achievements
- Award criteria and selection process
- History of the award
- Contact information for inquiries
- Links to related academic resources

### Institutional Significance
The Lord Dearing Award holds significant importance within the University of Nottingham's academic culture as a symbol of excellence in teaching. It contributes to the university's reputation for quality education and serves as a benchmark for faculty performance evaluation. The award also influences institutional policies related to teaching development, professional development opportunities, and faculty recognition programs.

### Relationship to Broader Academic Awards
The Lord Dearing Award is part of a broader landscape of academic recognition systems within higher education institutions. While it focuses specifically on teaching excellence, it operates within the context of other institutional awards and national teaching recognition programs. The award's existence complements other forms of academic recognition, including research awards, administrative excellence awards, and student achievement awards.

### Impact on Teaching Quality
The Lord Dearing Award has contributed to the enhancement of teaching quality at the University of Nottingham through several mechanisms:
1. **Motivation**: The award provides recognition and prestige for outstanding teaching, motivating faculty to maintain high standards.
2. **Professional Development**: Recipients often engage in further professional development activities, sharing best practices and contributing to institutional teaching improvement initiatives.
3. **Cultural Shift**: The award has helped shift institutional culture toward greater emphasis on teaching excellence and pedagogical innovation.
4. **Student Benefits**: Improved teaching quality directly benefits student learning outcomes and educational experiences.

### Future Development and Evolution
The Lord Dearing Award continues to evolve in response to changing educational landscapes and institutional priorities. Potential developments may include:
- Expansion of criteria to include digital teaching innovations
- Integration with broader institutional quality assurance frameworks
- Increased emphasis on student-centered teaching approaches
- Enhanced recognition of teaching teams and collaborative pedagogical practices
- Integration with national teaching excellence frameworks

### Conclusion
The Lord Dearing Award represents an important institutional commitment to recognizing and rewarding excellence in teaching at the University of Nottingham. Through its establishment in 1999 and ongoing administration, the award has contributed to the university's reputation for quality education and has influenced teaching practices and professional development opportunities. As higher education continues to evolve, the award remains a significant component of the university's academic recognition system, reflecting its ongoing dedication to educational excellence.

## References

1. [Source](https://pd-systems.nottingham.ac.uk/lord-dearing/)