The excellence of teaching by Dr Undrell Moore in Dentistry has been recognised with a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship.

Dr Moore teaches oral and maxillofacial surgery to a wide range of students with the main emphasis on dental undergraduates at the very start of their clinical career.

The Fellowship is awarded for excellence in higher education teaching and support for learning from the Higher Education Academy.

Dr Moore said: “It’s always exciting to be working with students at Newcastle as we place renewed emphasis on helping them take responsibility for their decision making.

“The confidence of the whole team involved in this approach is always rewarded by the excellent enthusiastic response by the learners as they gain confidence in their clinical reasoning.

“To get such great feedback from the students and to receive this national recognition for that work is a career highlight and a great honour.”

Since arriving at Newcastle University Dr Moore has enhanced the system of learning and teaching in the clinical environment in the School of Dental Sciences which has helped to focus the learning experience with the emphasis on student-centred teaching.

The changes he has made to the course have been enthusiastically received by students, who thrive on the challenges inherent in this clinical environment.  Comments include “I loved it. Can’t wait to come back. Lovely environment, lovely helpful people” and “Best time yet in third year!” 

Professor Craig Mahoney, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Academy, said the awards carry considerable prestige within the sector and are highly competitive. He added: “The 55 new Fellows created this year have all made a highly valuable contribution to learning and teaching within their institutions and often more widely.

“Students deserve - and expect - the best possible learning experience during their time in higher education, and fantastic staff such as National Teaching Fellows help to deliver this experience."

This is the third such Fellowship for the School of Dental Sciences. The new National Teaching Fellows will officially receive their awards at a ceremony which will take place in London on Wednesday 10 October 2012.

published on: 26 July 2012