Trinity Excellence in Teaching Awards 2024: Celebrating Exceptional Educators

The Trinity Excellence in Teaching Awards 2024 honoured outstanding educators from across the university including academics from the three E3 schools of Computer Science & Statistics, Engineering, and Natural Sciences, recognising their exceptional contributions to teaching and student development. This prestigious award underscores Trinity College's commitment to promoting teaching as a scholarly activity and enriching the learning experiences of its students.

Dr. Matthew Saunders, School of Natural Sciences

Dr. Matthew Saunders from the School of Natural Sciences was one of this year’s distinguished recipients. Students expressed their admiration for Dr. Saunders, highlighting his helpfulness in labs and his attentive nature as a professor. One student shared, “He’s so incredibly helpful in the labs, is such an attentive professor who genuinely cares about the student’s wellbeing. In class, he explains abstract and complex topics in such a clear and simple manner. His work is outstanding. The impact of his teaching is most definitely exceptional. He has inspired my future and has opened my eyes to a whole new world of research. He makes any lecture content exciting and thrilling.” Dr. Saunders' ability to make complex subjects accessible and engaging has left a lasting impact on his students, inspiring their academic and research pursuits.

Mr. Glenn Strong, School of Computer Science & Statistics

Mr. Glenn Strong from the School of Computer Science & Statistics was another esteemed awardee. Students praised his passion for teaching, noting how it shines through in his lectures. One student remarked, “Glenn's passion for teaching really shines through in his lectures. [He] stands out in that this passion for the content he teaches, mixes wonderfully with his soft skills. This means that he can teach the content in a way that makes it exciting, accessible, and applicable. Furthermore, it means that he is easy to approach and always willing to find the time to explain things in more detail if needed and to help students work through content or problems that are confusing them.” Mr. Strong's blend of enthusiasm and approachability has made a significant impact on his students, making complex computer science concepts more relatable and understandable.

Mr. Eugene O’Rourke, School of Engineering

The School of Engineering recognized Mr. Eugene O’Rourke for his exceptional teaching. Students commended him for being both a leader and a friend, demonstrating genuine care for their development. One student stated, “He was both a good leader of the class and a friend to every student. He really set the pace of the class. I really felt like he cared about the class and wanted us to become the best engineers possible, I don't think one person in that class would say otherwise. He cared about our development both as engineers and as people.” Mr. O’Rourke's dedication to fostering both the professional and personal growth of his students has left a profound impact, ensuring they become well-rounded engineers.

The Trinity Excellence in Teaching Awards and School Awards for Teaching Excellence took place at a special ceremony in the Provost’s House on Monday, June 25. Provost Linda Doyle, who announced the winners, commended their commitment to teaching and their innovative approaches both inside and outside the lecture theatre. She remarked, “Each of us will remember a teacher or lecturer who inspired us to think differently or encouraged us to do things we thought were beyond our reach. The Trinity Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize those who go above and beyond in their teaching and I am very proud of this year’s recipients. They are all hugely dedicated to their students, innovative in and outside the lecture theatre, and incredibly inspiring.”

The awards are designed to celebrate those who have made an outstanding contribution to teaching, defined as achieving and sustaining high-quality teaching and positive educational impact through effective pedagogies. This reflects Trinity's value in promoting teaching as a scholarly activity and the importance placed on enriching student learning opportunities. Eligible candidates are nominated by students, alumni, and staff, ensuring that the recognition is rooted in the experiences and appreciations of those directly impacted by their teaching.

The 2024 Trinity Excellence in Teaching Awards celebrated the remarkable achievements of Dr. Matthew Saunders, Mr. Glenn Strong, and Mr. Eugene O’Rourke, each of whom has left an indelible mark on their students and the broader academic community at Trinity College.

To view the full list of awardees please click here...