Activating Teaching

Jeroen Lemmens receives the education award in the category of Activating Education. Students praise his lectures on Entertainment Communication, in which he uses quizzes, films, and interactive teaching methods.
A notable feature is 'The Call': short videos where students make choices through simulated phone conversations. This approach increased engagement in a course with more than 600 students.

Lemmens uses data to improve his teaching. His approach is creative, well-founded, and effective. According to the jury, he is an inspiring example of activating education. Lemmens is a university lecturer in the Communication Science program at the UvA.

Inclusive Education: Space for every student

Sebastian van der Voort receives the award for Inclusive Education. He teaches mathematics and programming and engages students with humor, structure, and empathy. His lessons are clear and accessible. He builds on his own experience with neurodiversity and believes in the potential of every student.

An example is his lesson on pseudo-random numbers, where students learn to understand abstract algorithms through a playful bingo format. The jury praises his confidence in students and his innovative teaching approach.
Van der Voort is a university lecturer in Medical Informatics at Amsterdam UMC.

Colloborative teaching: Students as partners

The course Education and Inclusive Development from the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences wins in the category of Collaborative Education. In this course, students and teachers work together on the curriculum from the beginning. Students are actively involved in designing the education and later even guide their fellow students as assistants. According to the jury, this is an example of how education can truly be co-created. Students feel co-owners of their learning process.

Innovative education: theatre in the lecture hall

The project Kruk, Koffie, Kop Houden receives the award for Innovative Education. Medical students brought a theater performance to the DeLaMar Theater, sharing their experiences as future doctors. The performance connects art, reflection, and care. It helps students combine personal and professional development.

The impact was significant: the performance quickly sold out, inspired hundreds of visitors, and led to new teaching materials. The jury emphasises that true innovation revolves around human connection.

About the UvA Education Awards

The UvA Education Awards are the successors to the Teacher of the Year election. They reward inspiring teachers, courses, and projects.

Each award winner becomes an education ambassador and shares their expertise within and outside the university. The Teaching & Learning Centres support them in this.

• Go to UvA Education AwardsExternal link
• Go to UvA Education DayExternal link