Innovative educators honoured with National Teaching Fellowships

Two University academics have been awarded prestigious national fellowships in recognition of their outstanding impact on student outcomes, and excellence in teaching and learning.

Professor Layal Hakim and Dr Matt Finn have been named as National Teaching Fellows by Advance HE – the highest individual honour bestowed by the organisation.

Professor Hakim is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, and is Director of Education and Student Experience for the Department. She is known to be a pragmatic educator who has an exceptional ability to communicate and assess learning.

Dr Finn is Associate Professor of Human Geography (Education and Scholarship), and co-Director of Education and Student Experience for the Department of Geography. He is renowned for his work on understanding changes in the contemporary conditions of education, and how childhood and young people’s lives vary globally.

“I was delighted to hear that Advance HE had awarded me a National Teaching Fellowship,” said Professor Hakim. “Receiving this recognition has prompted me to reflect on my journey so far, which has been an extraordinary experience shaped by the support of many students and colleagues. It’s a journey that continues to inspire me every day.”

Dr Finn added: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to the countless students, colleagues and collaborators I’ve had the privilege to work with and learn from in the work that’s recognised in this award.”

Professor Hakim was awarded the Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding and sustained excellence in mathematics teaching, and contributions to educational leadership. Through innovative, inclusive teaching approaches, a strong commitment to community building, and her contributions to education scholarship, she has transformed the learning experience for students at Exeter and beyond.

The Academy said that ‘her visionary leadership has inspired many colleagues and has had a significant impact on teaching, assessment, and student engagement across the higher education sector’.

She has received a host of awards across three UK institutions, including the Inspirational Teaching Award at Exeter in 2019, recognising her early impact at Exeter since joining the University from Imperial College London in 2018.

Dr Finn’s award recognises how he brings together teaching, scholarship and educational leadership to understand how learners navigate and experience education, fostering environments for flourishing together. His work to resource and connect educators, develop more effective transitions to university, and promote a ‘geography for all’ approach, was also lauded.

Dr Finn received the Royal Geographical Society’s Taylor and Francis Award in 2023 for demonstrating “excellence in the practice and promotion of teaching in higher education” and in 2024 was awarded Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

“This award comes at a time of much reflection about the significant challenges facing HE,” he added. “I’ve said before that realising education’s promise for all isn’t inevitable. It requires intent, collaboration, openness to challenge and alertness to the structural conditions of education and society. It’s been my privilege to work and learn with inspiring students and pupils, university colleagues, teachers and teacher educators who put this into practice. I think that’s even more the case now.”