Professor Denise Bower

National Teaching Fellow 2010 Denise has been Programme Leader for the MSc in engineering project management for almost ten years. Her enthusiasm for her subject is invariably commented upon by her students and colleagues and this drives her to search for continuous improvement of the student learning experience. Denise has always encouraged students to learn in the way that is most suited to their learning style and preferences, and recognises that their achievement of learning outcomes is based on a unique balance of her input, their backgrounds, experiences and values, the pedagogy, and the subject matter. She strives to actively engage students in the learning process, by moving away from the traditional approach to teaching to a more interactive style that is fun, challenging and stimulating yet reflects the complex nature of project management practice. She says she is very fortunate to have a field of study that is as challenging and rewarding as engineering project management, adding that it is a field where the ability to develop reflective practitioners, who can successfully conceptualise and manage ever more challenging projects, is increasingly recognised as significant in tackling the challenges that the world currently faces. A former student on Denise's MSc programme commented: "The MSc course was well structured and tailored to suit both practice and learning; Professor Bower was - stimulating, challenging and inspiring. That made a lasting impression on me. No wonder I am back doing my PhD with her as my supervisor". Denise champions the improvement of project management learning and teaching outside the University through the Higher Education Academy funded UK network to promote excellence in the learning and teaching of project management, which she co-founded with colleagues from the Universities of Lancaster and Bournemouth. The aim of the network is to generate debate and share good practice by supporting academic staff in their aim of improving the student experience and is comprised of approximately 70 project management educators from across the UK.