Record year for Northumbria as three academics named National Teaching Fellows

Three Northumbria University academics from across education, sport and the built environment have been named National Teaching Fellows by Advance HE, in recognition of their contribution to teaching excellence in UK higher education.

Dr Kirstin Mulholland, Dr Rick Hayman and Dr Susan Dawson have been selected as leaders in their field to join the 2026 National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) cohort, which celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. 

This year's cohort represents the largest number of National Teaching Fellowships awarded at Northumbria University in the same year, reflecting the dedication of staff and quality of teaching across a broad range of study programmes.  

Dr Kirstin Mulholland

Dr Kirstin Mulholland is an Advance HE Senior Fellow and Associate Professor in Northumbria's School of Communities and Education. Her pioneering work has transformed how the University prepares education undergraduates and student-teachers for the classroom, directly addressing a critical challenge in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and ensuring Northumbria graduates don't just learn about evidence-informed practice, but can confidently apply it from day one. She produces guidance and practical resources to exemplify research-informed approaches on various topics; these have now been translated for use in 21 countries, including Australia, Chile, Spain, Jordan and Cameroon, and are cited in statutory frameworks, reaching 57,000 student and early career teachers annually.

In 2020, Kirstin established Research and Innovation in Teacher Education (RITE), a collaborative community now uniting 15 academics and in-service professionals. Under her leadership, this group has delivered measurable transformation at Northumbria and across ITE.  RITE developed the first simulation-based learning programme in UK ITE, described as 'sector-leading' by Ofsted in 2024, who reported that simulated experiences prepare trainees well for their future teaching roles. As the North-East's largest ITE provider, with 89% of Northumbria graduates securing teaching posts across the local area, the University plays a pivotal role in addressing the region's educational attainment challenges. 

At Northumbria, more than 450 student-teachers annually now experience the value of the simulation-based learning, increasing their confidence in handling challenging professional situations from 70% to 94%, with a substantial number reporting improved employment preparedness. To extend the reach of this work, Kirstin established the SimulatEd Network in 2023; an international community of more than 50 academics across seven countries, meeting quarterly to share and evaluate practice. This work was recognised through Northumbria's Collaborative Teaching Excellence Award in 2022 and the Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence in 2024, which Kirstin led. 

Speaking of the recognition from Advance HE, Kirstin said: “I’m very proud to have been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship. For me, education is a life-long vocation. I joined Northumbria in 2020 after more than 13 years as a primary schoolteacher and leader. Completing my masters and doctoral degrees as a full-time teacher, I experienced first-hand how engaging with, and in, educational research transforms teaching and learning. This continues to drive my work at Northumbria today: ensuring that student-teachers learn not just about evidence-informed education, but also how to apply this in their classrooms.”  

Dr Rick Hayman

Dr Rick Hayman is an Associate Professor in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, where he teaches across the undergraduate sport curriculum. Working with large and diverse student cohorts, many from widening participation backgrounds, has shaped his commitment to inclusive, coaching-informed approaches that build confidence, recognise students' existing strengths and help them to translate professional experience into academic success. Many students arrive with extensive experience as athletes or coaches but limited confidence in how those strengths translate into higher education. This has inspired Rick to create learning environments that help students recognise their potential, develop self-belief and thrive academically.

Rick's own educational journey reflects this philosophy. He left school early and entered low-skilled work before returning to education through sport. Skilled tutors and coaches played a formative role in supporting his re-entry into learning, shaping his understanding of how recognition, feedback and structured support enable individuals to succeed academically. Drawing on more than 20 years' experience as a sports coach and educator, Rick has developed distinctive teaching methods that apply coaching principles of feedback, reflection, goal setting and continuous development to higher education learning. 

Alongside teaching on both core and specialist modules, Rick has led educational enhancement initiatives across the institution and wider sector that have contributed to sustained student success, including exceptional student satisfaction, improved attainment outcomes and enhanced confidence. Beyond his own teaching, Rick has influenced educational practice through staff development, mentoring and sector collaboration. He has supported colleagues across disciplines to enhance learning and teaching through evidence-informed approaches, helping to strengthen student belonging, confidence and achievement while enabling colleagues to create more equitable learning environments. His influence extends beyond Northumbria through national educational leadership, cross-institutional collaborations and research that is helping universities create more inclusive and successful learning experiences for students. 

Rick, who has also been awarded Principal Fellowship of Advance HE, said: "I am delighted to receive a National Teaching Fellowship and grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey over the past 20 years. I have been fortunate to work with many exceptional students, colleagues, coaches and mentors whose ideas, encouragement and generosity have shaped my teaching every step of the way. It is a privilege to share this honour with everyone who has inspired me to continue learning and growing throughout my career." 

Dr Susan Dawson

Dr Susan Dawson is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria University. She previously led the University's degree apprenticeships provision across surveying, architecture, engineering and construction, establishing a national reputation for transforming Built Environment professional education. She now leads collaborative educational partnerships, bringing together universities, further education providers, employers and the professions to co-create learning that is academically rigorous, professionally relevant and designed to meet the changing needs of learners, industry and society.

Susan's career spans more than twenty-five years in the Built Environment industry and over fifteen years in higher education. Beginning her own career through an apprenticeship gave her first-hand experience of the opportunities education can provide. Combining extensive professional experience with doctoral research, she has sought to raise the bar for professional education by bringing together research, practice and cooperation to create learning that is both professionally relevant and accessible to diverse learners. She believes good education is never static and evolves through curiosity, cooperation and a shared determination to do things better. 

Having previously led one of the UK's largest Built Environment degree apprenticeship portfolios, Susan has developed educational approaches that have influenced curriculum design, employer engagement and quality enhancement across the sector. Her work now focuses on building sustainable partnerships that enable universities, further education providers and employers to address educational challenges collectively, ensuring education continues to evolve in ways that benefit learners, industry and society. 

Susan said: "I'm genuinely delighted to receive this award because it recognises something I care deeply about – the value of vocational and professional education. Together, we've shown that when education and industry cooperate, both can achieve more than either could alone. Seeing learners and apprentices succeed has always been the greatest reward. I hope this recognition gives a stronger voice to this approach, helping more people experience what is possible when universities, employers and learners work together to shape the future of professional education." 

Kirstin, Rick and Susan join seven other National Teaching Fellows at Northumbria University and paid tribute to the network of support and encouragement they have received during the process, led by Northumbria colleagues Professor Paul Jones and Dr Jenna Tudor. Susan added: “We were exceptionally well supported throughout the process. Paul and Jenna were incredibly generous with their time and expertise, and we're all very grateful for the encouragement and guidance they gave us” 

Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Northumbria University, said: “These prestigious awards celebrate the transformative power of outstanding teaching and collaboration and are distinguished across the higher education sector. Kirstin, Rick and Susan each represent the very best of what we do at Northumbria by putting students first and constantly innovating to improve their experience and outcomes. To see three colleagues, from three very different disciplines, recognised in the same year – our largest cohort of National Teaching Fellows to date – is a remarkable achievement, and a fitting reflection of the depth of teaching talent we have across our University.” 

Alistair Jarvis CBE, Chief Executive of Advance HE, said: “Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 National Teaching Fellowships and Collaborative Awards for Teaching Excellence. They exemplify the dedication, creativity and leadership that underpin outstanding higher education. Through their commitment to students and continual enhancement of teaching and learning, they are making a significant contribution to their institutions and the wider sector. I am pleased to recognise their achievements and celebrate the impact they have made on students, colleagues and communities throughout the UK.” 

Professor Becky Huxley-Binns, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Canterbury Christ Church University and Chair of the Teaching Excellence Awards Panel, said: “It has been a privilege to chair the panel and to see first-hand the exceptional quality, creativity and commitment demonstrated by this year's nominees. The recipients of the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme and Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence represent the very best of UK higher education. Their work illustrates the profound impact that outstanding teaching, educational leadership and collaborative practice can have on students, colleagues and the wider sector. On behalf of the panel, I warmly congratulate all of this year's award recipients and thank them for the lasting contribution they continue to make to learning and teaching across higher education.”