Two UCD School of Medicine colleagues have been awarded UCD Teaching and Learning Awards
These prestigious awards celebrate the achievements of UCD colleagues who make exceptional contributions in the pursuit of teaching excellence and the enhancement of student learning. Nominations for awards are submitted online by UCD students and staff.
There are two award schemes, both tiered with awards at college and university level:
The two Teaching and Learning Award Recipients for 2023-2024 from the School of Medicine are as follows;
Dr Cian Davis is a tutor, delivering surgical education to medical students in their clinical years. A trainee surgeon, Cian has several years of teaching experience across many settings. His primary educational interests are fostering a passion for surgery in students of all stages and the teaching of practical skills, both exemplified by his leading roles in academic mentorship and in the development and delivery of hands-on sessions for students with medical devices and surgical techniques.
Cian adopts a student-centred and inclusive approach to teaching, where students are facilitated to learn through active and collaborative methods. He uses Problem-based Learning and authentic real-life scenarios to encourage peer-to-peer learning, critical reflection and structured feedback opportunities. In nominating Cian for an award, students highlighted the friendly learning environment that he creates and his approachability.
Cian is committed to supporting students' career development and has taken a lead role in coordinating and encouraging his students to engage in extra-curricular activities including the intercollegiate surgical case competition between all Irish Medical Schools.
Associate Professor Mary Higgins works as an academic in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the UCD School of Medicine and as a busy obstetrician at the National Maternity Hospital. Continued involvement in evidence-based clinical care, the compassion of women’s health and medical education helps to support her significant involvement in both education and research. Returning to education herself with completion of a Masters in Clinical Education and in Patient Safety and Human Factors and a Diploma in Healthcare Simulation brought with it the lived experience of returning to student life – and a commitment to support students in their educational journeys.
Mary's teaching is practice-centred and research-led, and she invests substantial efforts to continually improve and update her modules to ensure that they are at the cutting edge of her discipline. In nominating Mary for an award students spoke of her compassion, generosity and dedication to teaching and clinical practice. They lauded her highly effective teaching methods and her ability to create memorable and impactful learning opportunities.
Please see the citations and more information about the Teaching and Learning Awards HERE