Dr Ewan Russell from the Department of Mathematical Sciences has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship by Advance HE. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in UK higher education. Ewan is one of 55 distinguished educators acknowledged for their contributions to higher education.
Ewan has been instrumental in enhancing our department by integrating employability into our curriculum, equipping students to become adept problem solvers and effective communicators. His dedication to advancing students' professional skills in mathematics is truly commendable.
Ewan is passionate about equipping mathematics students with the professional skills necessary for their future careers. He has successfully embedded employability within mathematics programs across several institutions, allowing students to gain confidence in problem-solving and communication. By partnering with employers, Ewan provides students with the opportunity to engage in real-world industrial challenges.
His commitment to addressing employability in mathematics education began with his leadership of the career’s component of the More Maths Grads project in the West Midlands. Since then, Ewan has consistently forged strong partnerships with a variety of employers, promoting diverse opportunities available to math graduates and aiding them in career planning.
Working with colleagues across the education sector, Ewan has implemented employability components into curricula at various institutions. Through collaborations with employers, he has pioneered an inquiry-based approach to tackling real-world industrial problems. This innovative method moves away from traditional teaching models, encouraging students to develop essential employability skills while engaging with discipline-specific tasks. Ewan's approach boosts student confidence and fosters creativity in problem-solving. His work has been shared through numerous publications and invited talks, demonstrating that students emerge from his programs feeling empowered and proficient in key skill areas.
As the leader of the Mathematics Centre for Enhancement in Education (MathsCEE) at Liverpool, Ewan has driven significant educational advancements and fostered discussions within the institution and beyond. He established a mentoring scheme tailored for postgraduate students aiming for Associate Fellowship with Advance HE. Additionally, he leads the successful Classroom Ideas seminar series, bringing together educators from the Northwest to exchange innovative teaching practices and discuss challenges in mathematics education. Under Ewan's leadership, MathsCEE has gained national recognition, hosting key mathematics education workshops and conferences at Liverpool.
Reflecting on his award, Ewan says “I am honoured to receive a National Teaching Fellowship – the most prestigious teaching award in UK higher education. I am grateful to all the colleagues who have supported me since I started my higher education teaching journey many years ago. The students who I have seen grow into confident and successful graduates over the years have also been a constant source of support and encouragement, and I am thankful to them for keeping in touch and becoming valuable collaborators in curriculum projects. The NTF scheme is important for Teaching and Scholarship academics as it enables us to achieve recognition for the impact of our scholarship activities and external engagement. The Department of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Physical Sciences at Liverpool have excellent Teaching and Scholarship communities, and this has helped me to thrive and develop my practice.”
Please join us in congratulating Dr Ewan Russell on this remarkable achievement and his unwavering commitment to enhancing mathematics education.