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Political Studies Association of Ireland

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Teaching and Learning Prize

The award aims to recognise those whose disciplinary teaching incites intellectual curiosity in students, inspires departmental colleagues, increases student awareness of the significant relationships between politics as theory and politics as practice, and integrates teaching and research.

Prize

Recipients of the award will receive a €400 prize sponsored by the PSAI. On occasion, the PSAI makes special awards for outstanding contributions in particular pedagogies. Prize winners will be given an opportunity to present their work to the teaching and learning panel during the annual PSAI conference.

Eligibility

Staff teaching a minimum of two politics modules in an academic year.

Process

The selection process will have three phases:

1.  Submission of the nomination form, with a letter/email of recommendation [by July 11th].

2.  Submission of a portfolio by the nominee [by September 19th].

3.  Assessment of portfolios by the judging panel (PSAI members and external academic). 

The committee will be looking for evidence of the nominee’s sustained excellence in teaching and facilitating learning for students of politics and public administration. It will examine how the nominee champions teaching and learning within the discipline. It will also consider how the nominee’s teaching and research are integrated. 

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of teaching practices which engage students and promote effective learning.  
  • Innovation in teaching, learning and assessment with achievement or relevant learning outcomes.
  • Contribution to curriculum and pedagogical development in the discipline.  
  • Evidence of reflective teaching and learning practice by integration of feedback.
  • Contribution to the scholarship of teaching and learning in the discipline.

Nomination 

Individuals may be nominated by colleagues at departmental, school, university, or discipline level. Please use the nomination form on page 3 of this document. 

Each nomination must be accompanied by a letter/e-mail of recommendation. Email nominations to Philip Murphy (philip.murphy@ucc.ie) by July 11th, 2025.

Portfolio Submission

Nominees will be asked to submit by a portfolio (2500 words max.) to Philip Murphy (philip.murphy@ucc.ie) by September 19th, 2025. Please address the following elements:

  • Overview of teaching responsibilities; modules, levels, and student numbers (300 words max.).
  • Reflective statement on teaching; goals, objectives, experiences and professional development (700 words max.).
  • Outline of your; innovation and engaging practice in teaching and assessment, contribution to the curriculum and to pedagogical development in the discipline, collection and integration of student feedback, and contribution to the scholarship of teaching and learning in the discipline (1,500 words max.).
  • Appendix; A structured and selective sample of relevant class material: e.g., module content, module assessment, and module feedback (8 pages max).

Presentation of award

The award will be presented during the PSAI Annual Conference.

Recipients of the PSAI Teaching and Learning Award

  • 2024: Prof. Peter Stone, Department of Political Science, Trinity College Dublin, with an honourable mention to Dr. Lucía Tiscornia, University College Dublin. 
  • 2022: Dr. Stefan Müller, School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin
  • 2021: Dr. James Cross, School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin
  • 2019: Dr. Liam Kneafsey, Department of Political Science, Trinity College Dublin
  • 2016: Dr. Michelle D’Arcy, Department of Political Science, Trinity College Dublin
  • 2015: Dr. Mary P. Murphy, Department of Sociology, Maynooth University
  • 2014: Dr. Theresa Reidy, Department of Government, University College Cork
  • 2013: Dr. Mary C. Murphy, Department of Government, University College Cork
  • 2012: Dr. Jacqueline Hayden, Department of Political Science, Trinity College Dublin
  • 2011: Dr. Brendan Flynn, School of Political Science and Sociology, National University of Ireland, Galway
  • 2010: Dr. Fiona Buckley, Department of Government, University College Cork received the inaugural PSAI Teaching and Learning award