LJMU Academic awarded National Teaching Fellowship

Ester Ragonese, Associate Dean Education (APS) and Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from Advance HE.

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.

Ester has worked at LJMU since 2004 and contributes to the Criminal Justice suite of programmes at the institution. Throughout her career, she has adopted both a student and staff centred teaching philosophy with inclusivity at its core. She started her career as a probation officer committed to notions of social justice, fairness and on improving the experiences of those most marginalised in society. It is these principles that have informed her work as a lecturer and more recently in her academic leadership role.

In addition to her roles at LJMU, Ester holds a wide range of institutional responsibilities and represents the university externally in a variety of capacities. Ester is also a team member of the PCLTHE and supports staff in developing teaching excellence. She has been instrumental in developing strategic practice in LJMU around personal tutoring, induction, peer observation and retention and has in the capacity of External Examiner and a Subject Specialist advised on these areas. Ester is keen to ensure that the student voice is heard and listened to and works with student partners in a number of research projects.

On receiving this award Ester said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed and delighted to have achieved a National Teaching Fellowship and I am thankful to both my colleagues and students. To receive an award for something I love doing is a privilege and it really is a big deal to me.”

National Teaching Fellows (NTFs) have demonstrated through a rigorous and competitive peer reviewed process that they have made a significant impact on both student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education. What they have achieved is inspiring and contributes significantly to the sector's efforts to continuously improve learning and teaching for the benefit of students and society.

The award has been running since 2000 and there are now more than 815 National Teaching Fellows, with up to 55 individuals receiving the award each year. On gaining the award, fellows play an ongoing role in enhancing teaching and learning within their institution, the HE sector and further afield.