The Learning and Teaching Awards is your chance as a student to thank staff for their hard work and celebrate the very best of teaching and support at the University.
Staff play a pivotal role in the student experience at SOAS, from lecturers and tutors to supervisors and personal tutors, and professional services staff.
Nominations for this year’s awards are now open.
Listed below are the awards that are up for grabs for the amazing teachers who have made a difference to your university learning experience, alongside some prompts to help you decide.
Note: You can nominate as many categories as you wish. You can also nominate the same staff member for more than one category.
Excellence in Teaching award
Recognising the lecturers, professors, and GTAs who were the highlights of your classroom experience.
Criteria for consideration:
- Timely and helpful feedback
- Engaging teaching style that enhanced your experience of the content
- Adaptable to student needs, and always focused on how the student engaged with the content
Decolonial Teaching award
Recognising those who put theory into practice. Who changed your understanding of what learning could look like?
Criteria for consideration:
- Diverse and inclusive teaching styles that stepped away from what you would usually expect
- Adapted assessment styles to suit the breadth of needs and learning styles within the class
- Worked to remove barriers for marginalised and underrepresented students
Outstanding Communication award
Recognising the teachers, advisors, and supporters who were accessible, helpful, and clear throughout your academic journey.
Criteria for consideration:
- Easily accessible office hours, and easy to set appointments
- Great listener, encourages follow ups to stay on top of any issues
- Keeps communication open and responsive
- Adaptive communication styles depending on student needs
Innovation in Teaching awards
Recognising those who creatively adapted the learning experience to create an innovative and engaging environment.
Criteria for consideration:
- Uses unique and effective teaching styles
- Develops and encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Utilises and incorporates technology into teaching style
Outstanding support staff award
Recognising the support networks that students always rely upon, and the individuals who went above and beyond.
Criteria for consideration:
- Open and honest communication
- Easily accessible via appointments and emails
- Helpful in explaining relevant procedures
- Made your access to support easier and more suited to your needs
Supervisor of the Year award
Recognising those supervisors who provide all the guidance and support needed to facilitate your success.
Criteria for consideration:
- Always offers insightful research advice
- Feedback is clear and constructive
- Creates a supportive and collaborative research environment
- Encourages students to publish their work
Community Building award
Recognising both the academic and professional services staff who worked tirelessly to build the SOAS community and improve our collective sense of belonging
Criteria for consideration:
- Supporter of diversity within the SOAS community through inclusive initiatives and projects
- Personally contributed to your development and sense of belonging on campus
Students' Union Special Recognition Award
This award does not have any set criteria, and will be awarded to a member of staff, or a team, at the discretion of the SOAS SU sabbatical officers.
Things you need to know/FAQs:
Who can I nominate?
You can nominate any member of staff across the University. All staff employed by the University – whether salaried or hourly – can be nominated. That includes support and professional services staff, administrative staff, tutors, PhD students who teach, supervisors, and lecturers.
When do nominations close?
Once nominations are open, they will close on 27th of March.
Who can nominate?
All students - whether you’re Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research, on-campus or online, studying full or part-time - can nominate.
Can I submit more than one nomination?
Yes, you can submit as many nominations as you want! You can nominate the same staff member in multiple categories, and you can also nominate multiple staff for the same category.
What happens after I’ve submitted my nomination?
Once you submit your nomination, it will be checked by the SU and the learning and teaching team to ensure the nominees meet the criteria. Nominees will then be shortlisted, and an email will be sent out to the staff member you’ve nominated, letting them know they have been nominated and sharing your comments with them.
Who chooses the winners?
The teaching awards are student-led. Once nominees have been shortlisted, the sabbatical officers and the college reps will long-list the short-listed nominees.
When will the results be announced?
The results will be announced at the Awards Night.
When is the Awards Night?
The Awards Night for the 2025-2026 will be announced soon. So, keep an eye out for updates on all the winners on our website and socials.
Can I help promote the Teaching Awards?
Absolutely! Whether you’re a staff member, a student representative, or just passionate about great teaching, we’d love for you to encourage students to submit their nominations.
For the students’ nominations, we’d love to get a 30-second clip of you explaining why you’ve chosen that staff member for a chance to attend the Awards night.