Published: 08 August 2024
Congratulations to Angela Kubacki, Reader and Head of Clinical Communication and Dean for Student Conduct and Compliance at St George’s, University of London who has been selected to receive one of only 55 prestigious National Teaching Fellowships this year by Advance HE.
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme recognises and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.
Speaking about receiving the award Angela said:
I really couldn’t believe it when I was told I had been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship Award! It took me a while to take it in. I have always been in awe of my colleagues who have won this award over the years.
- Angela Kubacki, Reader and Head of Clinical Communication -
“I often don’t think about the impact of what I do, as I really enjoy my job and my roles but whilst preparing for the application, I was able to see how all of the work I do, together with my amazing team, does have an impact and it all stems from a desire to improve communication in healthcare and in education.”
Enhancing and transforming student outcomes
Angela was nominated for the Fellowship because of the reach, value and impact of her work over the course of her 25-year career. During this time, Angela has developed and delivered exceptional clinical communication skills teaching in medical education and enhanced and transformed student outcomes.
Joining St George’s in 2007, she has held senior academic leadership roles such as the Associate Dean of Admissions from 2016-2023 and has been Dean for Student Conduct and Compliance since 2022.
Speaking further about the work that led to her nomination, Angela said:
“I have supported colleagues, worked collaboratively with students and influenced the support for student learning at St George’s, in my international roles such as Visiting Professor at Trinity College Dublin and within my national roles on the Medical Schools Council Selection Alliance and UCAT Consortium.”
“I also demonstrated my commitment to ongoing professional development through taking on new roles within the institution and continuing to learn and strive for excellence and impact in all areas of my work.”
Amongst her significant achievements, Angela developed an innovative Clinical Empathy Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) via the FutureLearn platform and led significant strategy change for widening access in Admissions. This resulted in a values-based and contextual admissions policy, increasing the number of students from disadvantaged and under-represented groups applying to and being selected into our healthcare programmes.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Angela led her team in redesigning and modernising their curriculum and its delivery. As a result, they were awarded a St George’s Education Excellence Award for innovation, creativity and evaluation in teaching.
She has also won five Student Staff Partnership Grants to work with students on projects ranging from access to medicine and inclusive education to developing a new Student Academic Integrity Champion scheme.
Incredible and hugely supportive colleagues
Reflecting on the award, Angela said:
“I want to thank the Clinical Communication Team- they are incredible and hugely supportive colleagues! I couldn’t do what I do without such a fabulous team! I am grateful to Sally Mitchell and Saranne Weller, from CIDE, for nudging me and giving me their unwavering support with writing the claim for the award. I also want to thank Professor Jane Saffell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Dr Jane Cronin-Davis, Dean for Student Welfare and Support and Ioana Enany, Head of Student Conduct and Compliance for their support and guidance in my role as Dean."
I have been hugely inspired by my colleagues who are past NTFA winners from St George’s. The University has so many incredible academics, dedicated to providing the highest standard of teaching for our students.
- Angela Kubacki, Reader and Head of Clinical Communication -
"I remember how in 2013, my former boss and Head of Clinical Communication, Professor Jo Brown, won her NTFA. This gave me something to aspire to and I am so proud to have carried on the legacy of excellence in clinical communication teaching and achieved national recognition with this award.”
Professor Jane Saffell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) at St George’s School of Health and Medical Sciences said:
Congratulations to Angela, whose well-deserved award marks the fourth year running that exceptional St George’s educators have been recognised with a National Teaching Fellowship. With creativity, drive and panache, Angela has transformed the way we select, teach and assess our students, consistently holding empathy, integrity and professionalism at the core for patient-centred care. I am delighted her excellence across a range of roles has been recognised with this prestigious award.
- Professor Jane Saffell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) -
Alison Johns, Advance HE Chief Executive said:
“We know that higher education has the power to transform lives but this doesn’t happen by default."
Outstanding teaching is the result of knowledge, commitment, passion, energy and creativity. All of these 2024 winners demonstrate these attributes and put them into practice with excellent results.
- Alison Johns, Advance HE Chief Executive -
“It is vital for student success that we invest in higher education teaching and promote the value of excellence.
“Congratulations to each and every one of you for this prestigious prize.”
Angela joins six other National Teaching Fellows at St George’s: Professors Emma Baker, Jane Saffell, Kate Tatton-Brown, Jonathan Round, Dr Andrew Hitchings and Katie Pavoni.
Alongside Angela, Irene Ctori, Professor of Optometry and Associate Dean at City, University of London has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship this year. Congratulations Angela and Irene.
Find a full list of this year’s National Teaching Fellows on the Advance HE website.