Professor Kevin Petrie

National Teaching Fellow 2010 Kevin has made significant contributions to the Glass and Ceramics programmes at the University of Sunderland and especially in postgraduate teaching. He attempts to engender team working, confidence and a sense of fun as well as offering 'real world' challenges for students. For example, large-scale group drawings made on the beach, online discussions, and student exhibitions in a train station. According to one student Kevin is: "Encouraging and creative! Always pushing our ideas forward". In Kevin's opinion, art students benefit from diverse cultural influences to keep their work fresh. For his 'Book Project' (developed with a colleague), he buys students 'classic' novels and asks them to identify relationships to glass/ceramics in them, by considering symbolism and metaphor. An MA student said: "The 'book project' is one of the best projects I have ever been assigned. The project was a brilliant & sensitive way to introduce me to more British literature & to broaden my understanding (as an overseas student) of British culture". Kevin has developed research student support beyond his university by organising national conferences like Parallels and Connections: A ceramics and glass research student conference. Attended by over 120 delegates, from 18 countries, with representation from 13 universities this was significant, perhaps unique, in offering specific student-focused views of research nationally (and into Europe). Thirty-five presentations covered a broad range of subjects from recycled glass to life after the PhD. Perhaps best known for 'blending' printmaking and glass/ceramics for creative use, Kevin helped develop this at Sunderland, but sensing a wider need also wrote two books on the subject. Both form 'text and image' versions of Kevin's practical classes/workshops. As a result of this work Kevin has been invited to teach and lecture in Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Denmark, Germany and Canada. As Kevin's confidence has grown, he is increasingly aiming to make positive impacts on the lives of others. For example, through publications, developing focused contexts for learning such as conferences and workshops, creating seminars to both challenge and integrate groups of students and even making pizza at his home for new MA cohorts!