James Thompson

This award recognises initiatives by individuals or teams that support professional development of ABP teaching staff.  This year it is awarded to James Thompson.

The award recognises James’ work as an Education Innovation Fellow (EIF) with the University’s FlexAP project.  The FlexAP EIF roles aimed to: raise awareness of FlexAP funding; provide ongoing support; support evaluation of teaching initiatives; and contribute to dissemination of teaching innovation. James was able to build on ABP’s existing approaches to FlexAP and the structures and connections established through BEL+T, as well as his capacity to productively and positively engage with ABP colleagues, to deliver by far the largest cohort of subjects for the FlexAP project.  The resulting evaluation will inform ongoing refinement of ABP subjects, and the opportunity to share these findings broadly.

Comments from subject coordinators and colleagues include the following:

I want to acknowledge James Thompson’s contribution to ABP learning and teaching by supporting reflective teaching practice and curriculum development, and especially by championing and supporting ABP’s FlexAP projects. Regular conversation with James have provided a space to reflect on teaching experiences and opportunities for subject development.

Working with James on shaping the FlexAP project proposal was a wonderful experience that flowed with ease. James takes the time to build supportive, constructive, trusting and equitable relationships with subject coordinators, and to deeply understand the aims and goals they have for their teaching.

James is an excellent and sensitive collaborator, researcher, and presenter. Across ABP’s considerable diversity of disciplines and programs, James’ recommendations and initiatives around teaching and learning innovations are evidence-based and student-centred.

James provided critical advice for our FlexAP application from conception to completion, supporting our ambition for teaching and learning synergy between different disciplines. He helped frame the EOI and later conducted the evaluation of the impact on teaching and learning. Through the process, James opened insights and possibilities that helped achieve our objectives.

Congratulations James !