Two University of Leeds teams that boost employability for global students have received one of the highest honours for teaching and learning in UK higher education.
A team that designs collaborative learning to enhance students' employability and another that teaches English skills to students escaping the impact of conflict and disaster have each been awarded a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) by Advance HE.
The awards recognise the teams' outstanding contribution to student learning and celebrate how teamwork plays a vital role in delivering an exceptional student experience.
The Innovation in Practice team, led by Tony Morgan, Associate Professor in Innovation Management Practice, brings together staff, students, industry partners and external contributors to create experiential learning opportunities that develop students' innovation, teamwork and employability skills.
The distinctive approach at Leeds – developed within Leeds University Business School (LUBS) - encourages students to tackle modules on real-world organisational and societal challenges and engage with external organisations.
The Innovation in Practice portfolio has evolved from one interdisciplinary undergraduate module in 2017, engaging 60 final year students, to three connected modules reaching more than 400 students annually.
The team works with an eco-system of more than 40 external industry partners, experts and coaches contributing challenge briefs and participating in student-facing activities.
Tony Morgan said: "As a team, we're exceptionally proud to receive this award. We view it as recognition not just for our own efforts, but for the many students, colleagues and partners we work with."
Colleagues collaborate to reimagine aspects of the student experience, creating stronger foundations for learning, belonging, success and future employability.
Refugee programme recognised
The team behind a free online programme that teaches English skills to students escaping the impact of conflict and disaster has also received a CATE award.
RefugEAP is designed for refugee-background students who need to improve their academic English language and skills to help them access a degree programme at university.
The team is co-led by Deirdre McKenna, Associate Professor in English for Academic Purposes in the University of Leeds Language Centre, alongside Aleks Palanac, Head of Sanctuary at the University of Leicester's Sanctuary Seekers' Unit, which was the nominating institution for this CATE aaplication. Together, they lead a team of 30 volunteer EAP tutors.
The course recently marked its fifth successful cohort of students. It has supported 167 students since it was established in 2022, with 27 so far receiving offers to study at university and another 41 moving on to further preparation for university or requalification.
Deirdre said: "We are so pleased with the impact of RefugEAP and its demonstratable role in delivering social justice for students.
"The programme is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their academic English language and skills in a supportive environment while they are waiting for more formal opportunities to become available. We're excited about the next chapter."
Professor Wendy Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Student Education and Experience, said: "During recent years, Leeds has made significant progress in delivering its vision for a truly student-centred university.
"Across the institution, colleagues collaborate to reimagine aspects of the student experience, creating stronger foundations for learning, belonging, success and future employability.
"Such prestigious awards are a tremendous credit to all the team members and those partners who enrich the learning experience at Leeds."
Advance HE is a charity working with partners across the world to improve higher education for staff, students and society. The CATE celebrates excellent practice and outstanding achievement in learning and teaching throughout the sector.
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."
CATE winners will be presented with their awards during a special ceremony held at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh on 24 September.
