Catz finalists in 2024 Student-Led Teaching Awards

Two Fellows and an alumnus of St Catharine’s are finalists in the 2024 Student-Led Teaching Awards (STLAs), which reward outstanding teaching and student support across the University of Cambridge and its Colleges. Now in their tenth year, the STLAs are organised by the Cambridge Student Union to give students the opportunity to recognise teaching and non-teaching staff alike. 

Professor Julian Allwood (2018), Dudley Robinson Professorial Fellow in Engineering and Director of Studies in Engineering at St Catharine’s, has been shortlisted for the Lecturer of the Year award for the delivery of outstanding lectures and other content-based teaching to large groups, in any subject. Professor Allwood is also Professor of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Cambridge and was previously nominated for the 2022 STLAs in the ‘Innovative Teaching’ category.

He said, “I’m delighted that the Student Union runs this award scheme to recognise the many academics across the University of Cambridge who make particular efforts to deliver teaching of the most value.”

Dr Valentina Caldari (2018), College Associate Professor at St Catharine’s, is a finalist for the Student Support (Academic Staff) award, which recognises academic staff who provide outstanding student welfare or pastoral support. Dr Caldari supports St Catharine’s students as Director of Studies in History, History & Politics, and History & Modern Languages, and is an Affiliated Lecturer at the Faculty of History. 

She commented, “As a Director of Studies, I know how important my students’ wellbeing is to their academic performance. Being nominated by the students, for this specific category, means a lot to me.”

In addition, alumnus Dr Mukesh Kumar (2005, Engineering) is on the shortlist for the Innovative Teaching award, which is open to any member of teaching staff who is particularly creative, inventive or original in their teaching methods or style. Dr Kumar is Associate Professor in Operations Management at Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing.

Reflecting on the members of the St Catharine’s community included in the 2024 shortlist, Senior Tutor Dr Holly Canuto (2020) remarked:

“At St Catharine’s, we are committed to helping our students thrive by ensuring they have access to the highest quality teaching and support throughout their time with us. I am delighted that this year’s Student-Led Teaching Awards have chosen to recognise Julian, Valentina and Mukesh from the thousands of academics who are supporting students every day across the University of Cambridge.”

The organisers of the 2024 STLAs received 645 nominations from students and this year’s winners will be announced at a ceremony on 13 June.