Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s Student-Led Teaching Awards are back to recognise outstanding members of learning and support staff. After a challenging year for everyone, we’re celebrating our worthy nominees by shouting about their successes across our digital platforms.
![Jennifer Skilling](https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/learningexchange/wp-content/uploads/sites/1606/2021/04/Jennifer_Jennifer-Skilling-e1617369388377-300x300.jpg)
What is your full name?
Jennifer Skilling
What is your job title?
Senior Lecturer
What school or service do you work in?
Engineering
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your role.
I’ve been teaching in Chemical Engineering for 30 years. I have always enjoyed the face-to-face teaching element of my job most, in lectures, tutorials, labs and project supervision. I have had a hand in most aspects of our programmes over the years. In the past I have spent time as programme manager for our degree programmes but currently I am teaching a couple of honours courses and contributing to some others, including our new project based first year course. I also supervise a design project who I have been meeting weekly and other individual projects.
What does it mean to you to have been nominated for a Teaching Award this year?
I am thrilled, the tiny quote from the nomination has really made my day because it means that for at least one student I have achieved what I set out to do.
What’s your favourite part of your role and working with students?
I really enjoy lecturing and I have hugely missed being in a lecture room full of students over the past year. I miss the adrenalin of being in front of a live class, recording in my spare room with only the cat to listen is not the same, she never laughs at my jokes. I also miss just seeing students learn, solve problems and grow.
How have you adapted your approach to teaching and supporting students under the Hybrid Model this year?
I have tried to bring the spontaneity and slightly freewheeling approach I use in my lectures into my recordings so that there is more there than just what is on the slides, there is no script. I must admit I have not embraced all the bells and whistles available in hybrid teaching, I’m not a natural with tech! With live seminars I’ve struggled to build rapport with a screen full of blank circles, but I hope I’ve managed to convey some warmth and humanity.
What’s been the biggest challenge in your role this year?
Not being able to build a relationship with my classes in the normal way. I miss the two-way communication that steers live teaching.
What would you say to the student(s) who nominated you, or students who are considering submitting a nomination for a staff member who has had an impact on them?
To the student who nominated me I would say a huge thank you. To any out there thinking of nominating someone I would encourage them to do so. However long someone has been teaching they will have doubts about what they do, especially this year. This has been a tough time for all of us, so knowing that even one student has taken time to acknowledge our efforts means a lot.
To find out more about the Teaching Awards and browse nomination categories, please visit the Students’ Association’s website.