ASPIRE Awards
The winners of the 2026 ASPIRE Awards have been announced!
‘Given that the Education Track community is still in the process of formation, recognition by others is particularly important in order to form and sustain a sense of belonging to a collective where pedagogical contributions are recognised and appreciated.’
The award categories:
Teaching-Track Change Maker Award
Awarded for an account of change made by a member within their department or wider institution, to the work or experience of teaching-track colleagues.
2026 winner: Dr. Nicole Cassie, University of Glasgow.
Non-Journal Dissemination Award
Awarded for those non-journal pieces of dissemination, e.g. blog post, appearance on a podcast, etc.
2026 winner: Dr. Susan Kenyon, Canterbury Christ Church University
Teaching-Track Leadership Award
Awarded to a member who provides leadership through example on how progression and success on the teaching track might be achieved.
2026 winner: Dr. Nikolaos Gkotsis-Papaioannou, University of Surrey
Teaching Track Rising Star Award
Awarded in recognition of an early-career Teaching & Scholarship academic’s impact on the teaching track and on teaching and learning.
2026 winner: Dr. Tanay Gandhi, University of Leeds
Scholarship Article of the Year Award
Awarded for a Politics and International Relations SoTL piece published in a peer-reviewed journal by a member of ASPIRE in the previous year.
2026 winner: Elliott et al. 'The joy of the teaching track'
Supportive Colleague Award
Awarded in recognition of a member of ASPIRE who had worked hard to support others on the teaching track.
2026 winner: Dr. Vanessa Cook, University of Glasgow
Teaching-Track Environment Award
Awarded to a politics department or other academic unit/ centre (rather than an individual) in recognition of its environment/ activities supporting colleagues on the teaching track.
2026 winner: Innovative Pedagogy Hub, University of Glasgow