University of Canterbury zeichnet Lehrkräfte aus

Research, teaching excellence recognised by awarding of medals

The University of Canterbury Research Medal has been awarded to Professor Jack Copeland (Philosophy) and the University of Canterbury Teaching Medal to Associate Professor Richard Hartshorn (Chemistry). The awards will be presented at next week’s graduation.

The Research Medal is the University’s highest mrecognition of an outstanding contribution mto research. The Teaching Medal recognises an outstanding and sustained contribution to teaching.

Professor Copeland’s work is considered remarkable not only for its success but also its breadth. He works in philosophy, mathematical logic, cognitive science, the foundations of artificial intelligence, the history of engineering and technology, and the history of cryptography.

His most recent book, Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park’s Codebreaking Computers, published by Oxford University Press in 2006 (with a new edition due next year) is considered one of the most important publications on the history of computing machines. The leading scientific journal Nature described it as “essential reading for historians of 20th century technology”.

A referee for his nomination for the Research Medal said Professor Copeland was a “star of the first magnitude in the tough-minded areas of logic, and the philosophy and history of science, and is the world expert in the philosophy of computing.

“His research has been of the highest international standing over the last 20 years and, quite incontestably, he has brought enormous prestige to mthe University of Canterbury.”

Another described him as the outstanding international authority on Alan Turing’s work on computation and said his body of work consisted of more than research contributions.

“In some cases he has played a leading role in defining the research fields themselves,” the referee said.

Professor Copeland received his DPhil in Philosophy from the University of Oxford in 1979 for research on modal and nonclassical logics. He has been Head of Humanities at UC since January 2009.

Associate Professor Hartshorn, who is a past recipient of a UC Teaching Award, has been described as an outstanding academic who plays a very influential role in science education.

Professor Hartshorn’s nomination, made by the Chemistry Department, referred to him as a highly talented and popular lecturer. It said he had a deep understanding of the principles that underpin excellent teaching and learning.

“He has established versatile teaching methods that enable him to achieve optimal results with students of a wide range of abilities, from those who struggle at university level to topnotch honours students.

“Feedback from undergraduate students, through both personal communication and formal teaching assessments, is that he is a popular lecturer with a superior ability to relate complex concepts to students,” the nomination said.

Professor Hartshorn has made significant contributions to chemistry internationally through his association with the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry. He is a member of the union’s Committee on Chemical Education, which is responsible for initiating chemical education projects and promoting chemistry in developing countries.

As an international expert in the field of chemical nomenclature, Professor Hartshorn acts as a consultant for chemistry educators and textbook authors around the world. He has co-authored two textbooks used in high schools in Australia and is on the editorial board for an Australian-Canadian 100-level university textbook.

Professor Hartshorn was a driving force behind the establishment of UC’s Science Outreach programme and, as Chair of its steering committee, retains an important role in its ongoing development. university textbook.

Quelle: University of Canterbury, Chronicle Volume 44, No. 20, 11. Dezember 2009