Dr Sarah Richardson

National Teaching Fellow 2010 Sarah is a creative teacher who has been pioneering innovation in the teaching of history for over 20 years. Her enthusiasm for teaching and research infuses all aspects of her practice. Podcasts focusing on her teaching and research in 18th and 19th century British political history are regularly in the top ten History downloads on iTunesU. At the University of Warwick she has embedded e-learning techniques and resources throughout the Department of History. Her work has included developing processes to deliver timely and effective feedback to students on their examination performance; the creation of digital videos to support research students through the formal procedures to upgrade their status from MPhil to PhD and through their viva voce examinations; and the use of annotated Google maps to allow students to explore the spatial dimensions of the Victorian city. She puts improving the student experience at the heart of her practice, encouraging students to collaborate actively in improving teaching and learning. Her colleagues comment on her "remarkable innovative practice that has had a transformative impact on teaching practices throughout the Department." In 2008 Sarah was appointed as Director of the Higher Education Academy's History Subject Centre and she has brought her commitment to the enhancement of learning and teaching in History to drive forward change at a national level. "In a short space of time, her disciplined enthusiasm and organisational skills have transformed its work, effectiveness and morale." Her work building up practitioner networks; initiating and leading research projects; collaborating with history students and teachers across the country; and supporting early career academics has meant that she has been able to make a considerable impact on the national agenda for the teaching of university History. Sarah's passion for History leads her to work extensively with those outside the university sector: in schools and in the community. She strongly believes that academic scholarship in History should interact with as wide an audience as possible.