“Good teaching is at the heart of a university and thrives on people who provide their students with close support, take them seriously and convey academic content with enthusiasm. The ‘Lehrlöwe’ is a way of highlighting this commitment and recognises those who approach their teaching with high standards and creativity,” emphasised University Rector Prof. Dr Birgitta Wolff in her opening remarks at the awards ceremony.

Student councils set new trends in the teaching awards

Prof. Dr Susanne Buch, vice-rector for Studies and Teaching, presented the awards on behalf of the university management together with students from the respective student councils. The selection process had been anything but easy, even though, on the initiative of the student councils, two further prizes were awarded for the first time this year: In addition to a second prize in the category ‘Course with 10 to 49 participants’, there was also the ‘Student Councils’ Special Prize’ for lecturers who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained commitment to teaching.

“Many courses received excellent ratings from students, which is also reflected in the numerous nominations from the student representatives. That is why our recognition goes not only to the award winners, but to all lecturers who, day in, day out, convey challenging material in a clear and engaging way with great dedication,” said Buch.

16,000 euros for the further development of teaching

The prize money, totalling 16,000 euros, is earmarked for the further development of teaching. It can be used, for example, to fund student teaching assistants, teaching materials or excursions accompanying courses.

The teaching award winners are

• in the category ‘Course with 50 or more participants’ – each receiving prize money of 4,000 euros: Dr Franziska Strübbe (Didactics and History of Mathematics) and Dr Marc Nierstenhöfer (Chemical Safety and Preventive Fire Protection)
• in the category ‘Course with 10 to 49 participants’ – each awarded 2,000 euros: Dr Katharina Bosbach (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy) and Bastian Haase (Art Education)
• in the category ‘Innovation Prize’ – with a prize of 3,000 euros: Kristin Krebs (UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship and Intercultural Management)
• in the category ‘Special Prize from the Student Councils’ – with a prize of 1,000 euros: Dr Rüdiger Hofmann (Integrative Theory and Practice of Sport)
• in the ‘Student Tutors’ category – accompanied by a book voucher worth 100 euros: Anna Griggel (school of humanities)