Some SLTAs statistics

Some previous winners

We have given out an amazing 290 awards over the last 10 years.

With some people winning awards more than once over the years, we estimate that's about 270+ University staff and students that have received an award.

Our first logo, until we rebranded the awards in 2019

Two awards have been awarded since day one - an award for Outstanding Personal Tutor and an award for Supervisor of the Year.

The latter award has been split into two categories in recent years; Postgraduate Research Supervisor of the Year and Dissertation, Research Project or Thesis Supervisor of the Year.

One of our Inspirational Teaching Award winners from 2023

2022 saw an exception - there has been an award for Inspirational Teaching every year except in that year.

It was brought back to honour exceptional members of teaching staff in each Faculty who engaged students through their passion, expertise and knowledge of their programme.

Watch some videos from one of our digital ceremonies (YouTube playlist, link opens in a new window).

There have been two digital ceremonies for the SLTAs in the last decade due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The digital ceremonies took place in 2020 and 2021.

Our star shaped trophy

There were seven award categories in our first ceremony in 2016 - this year, there are 16 award categories, the highest number so far.

There are two completely new awards this year - the Lab Technician of the Year Award and the Faculty Student Advisor of the Year Award.

Legacy of the SLTAs

The Awards are run by our Voice and Representation team at GSU, and also involve other teams and our GSU Officers. We're grateful that the Awards have had the support of the University of Greenwich, and continue to be championed by staff across the board. It's a partnership that we hope continues for the next 10 years and beyond!

Below, here from a few people from GSU and the University who have been involved in the Awards over the last decade.

Uzma Arif-Fryer

GSU Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Membership

"As we mark the 10th year of the Awards at the University of Greenwich, GSU is proud to celebrate a decade of student voice, excellence in teaching and learning, and the powerful impact of recognition driven entirely by our students.

Every nomination reflects the gratitude, respect, and inspiration felt across the Greenwich community — and that's what makes these awards so special."

Pictured with Alessio Papa, Vice President Education 2018/19, at the 2018 ceremony in Stockwell Street

Vivian Van Lent

Vice President Education, 2016-2018

"The SLTAs are a fantastic celebration of partnership and best practice teaching, whilst it also showcases the positive impact on the student experience.

This culture of academic representation, which are both crucial as beneficial for the university and the Students' Union, provides invaluable feedback on what students value in teaching.

In their first year the awards initially started off as a recognition for the academic staff and support staff. The following two years the focus was on expending the awards to also celebrate and honour the students that are actively involved in academic representation.

It's incredible to see that this year will be the 10th anniversary of the SLTAs! I feel proud and honored that I was able to contribute and be part of this amazing project that just keeps on getting bigger and better.

Which proves the importance on showcasing and celebrating good practice across university, reward high quality teaching and probably most importantly; treating students as partners in their academic journey."

Professor Karen Bryan OBE

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), November 2017 - April 2020

"It was a pleasure to work with the Student Union on the Student Led Teaching Awards in 2018 and 2019

We were able to professionalise the award ceremony using the newly refurbished Dreadnought Building from 2019 to give it a bigger space, and to invite Governors and other key stakeholders to the ceremony.

Hearing about the contributions of staff and their incredible impact on the student experience was very heartening."

Some winners from our ceremony in 2017

Some of our Student hosts presenting at our 2019 ceremony

A congratulatory hug for a winner in 2022

Vice Chancellor and University staff in attendance in 2024

Some of our Student winners from 2024

Hear from previous winners

We reached out and asked people how they felt about winning an award - even more than one! - over the last decade.

Professor Louise Owusu-Kwarteng

Professor of Applied Sociology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Associate Dean, Student Success

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Awards won and years:

Outstanding Personal Tutor of the Year (2017)

Inspirational Teaching (2019, 2021)

Officers Heroes (2023)

"Incidentally, in 2017, it was noted that I had the highest number of nominations, and was nominated across all 5 categories. In 2019 - I was nominated across 4 categories and shortlisted for 2 or 3). In 2021 again. nominations across the board and shortlisted for 3 categories."

How did it feel to win a Student Led Teaching Awards? What impact has it had on you?

"Put it this way, I danced and drank shandy and dandelion and burdock! I was over the moon, and didn't stop smiling for days on end."

What makes the students at Greenwich so special?

"Where do I even start? First off, they are 'real' and in my experience, there is no pretention - what you see is what you get, and when teaching or working with them as ADSS, or on undergraduate research collaborations (past and present), we have had a lot of laughs. One thing I like is that they don't judge if we discuss specific topics/life in ways that they might not have considered previously. The other thing is the MASSES of creativity and talent - whether it is Sociology students, Animation Criminology, Politics, History etc. Maybe I am biased, but in my experience, they are amongst some of the most talented students and this needs to be recognised more widely."

What do you say to the students who have nominated you?

"I'm going to use football as an analogy - specifically with reference to Nottingham Forest. Keep flying like Forest. You're top table people."

Dr John Morton

Associate Professor of English Literature and Deputy Head of School  

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Awards won and years:

Outstanding Personal Tutor (Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences) (2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022)

How did it feel to win a Student Led Teaching Award/s? What impact has it had on you?

"The Student-Led Teaching Award ceremony is one of my favourite events of the year. It’s amazing to see colleagues recognised for their exceptional work by the students they teach; it means so much to us that students have gone out of their way to nominate staff for their brilliant work, and to comment on a colleague’s impact on their studies.

The impact of the award is immense – it’s encouraged me to develop further my tutoring and teaching, and this has been a key part in my becoming a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Recognised Practitioner in Advising."

What makes the students at Greenwich so special?

"I’ve taught at Greenwich for over 16 years, and I’m consistently blown away by the enthusiasm, originality, focus and motivation of our students here. It’s always so rewarding to see their development in academic skills as well as working with them on their plans after graduation, and I’m always so happy to hear of the brilliant success our graduates go on to."

What do you say to the students who have nominated you?

"It is always a true honour to be nominated – it means such a lot that a student has taken the time to make the nomination."

Aliyah Essop

Senior Lecturer, Academic Portfolio Lead for Engineering Management

School of Engineering

Awards won and years:

Inspirational Teaching Award (2021)

Dissertation, Research Project or Thesis Supervisor Award (2022)

Accessible Education Award (2024)

How did it feel to win a Student Led Teaching Award/s? What impact has it had on you?

"Throughout my academic career, I have remained deeply committed to empowering and inspiring my students to reach their full potential. These recognitions reflect my beliefs and values that 'Education transforms Lives' and 'Education should be without borders'. Students at Greenwich are truly special because of their diverse voices, unique perspectives, and the way they uplift each through shared learning and mutual respect."

What makes the students at Greenwich so special?

"Students at UoG are truly special because of their diverse voices, unique perspectives, and the way they uplift each through shared learning and mutual respect. The SLTA awards have motivated me to continue fostering academic growth, promoting accessibility, and inspiring the next generation of professionals and scholars."

What do you say to the students who have nominated you?

"To all my students over the years: Thank you for your trust and recognition - it drives me to keep growing alongside you!"

Dr Meena Afzali

Boehringer Ingelheim Research Fellow

Department of Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Environmental Sciences

Awards won and year/s:
"I was honoured to receive a Student Led Teaching Award in 2024 – Best BSc and MSc project supervisor of the year."

How did it feel to win a Student Led Teaching Award? What impact has it had on you?
"Receiving a Student Led Teaching Award was both a humbling and deeply meaningful experience. To know that my students took the time to nominate me is incredibly rewarding. It has reinforced my passion for teaching and strengthened my commitment to creating an engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. This recognition serves as a reminder of the powerful role educators play in shaping student experiences."

What makes the students at Greenwich so special?
"Our students at Greenwich are truly exceptional. They bring with them a diverse range of perspectives, a strong sense of purpose, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. Their resilience, creativity, and willingness to engage critically make teaching both inspiring and dynamic. It is a privilege to support such thoughtful and driven individuals on their academic journey."

What would you like to say to the students who nominated you?
"Thank you. I am incredibly grateful for your nomination and for the trust you place in me as an educator. Your recognition means a great deal, and it is a true privilege to be part of your university experience. Your feedback motivates me to continue growing and striving to offer the best possible learning experience."

Dr Billy Ferrara

Teaching Fellow in Science

Molecular Biology Research

Fellow, Higher Education Academy

Award won and year:

Outstanding Feedback Award (2024)

How did it feel to win a Student Led Teaching Award? What impact has it had on you?

"It was a really meaningful moment. To know that students took the time to nominate me—and that the support I’ve offered has had a real impact—means a great deal. Teaching can sometimes feel like you're working behind the scenes, so being recognised like this is both encouraging and motivating. It’s made me even more committed to creating space for thoughtful, constructive feedback that genuinely helps students grow."

What makes the students at Greenwich so special?

"Greenwich students are driven, curious, and not afraid to ask questions—and that makes all the difference. They really want to learn, improve, and challenge themselves. What stands out most is their openness: they engage with feedback, they reflect, and they keep pushing forward. That kind of mindset makes teaching here incredibly rewarding."

What do you say to the students who have nominated you?

"Thank you—truly. I’m genuinely touched by your kind words. I’m proud of your dedication to learning and your willingness to seek out feedback and use it to grow. You make the effort worthwhile. It’s a privilege to be part of your academic journey."