Professor Trystan Watson has won a student-nominated award for excellence in teaching and learning.
The Excellence in Learning and Teaching Awards are celebrated annually to members of staff who have made an outstanding contribution to the student learning experience. The award is intended to reflect the appreciation by students of the quality of the teaching and support that they have received.
Trystan was nominated by eight of his students and endorsed by the College of Engineering before accepting his award from the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Teaching, Prof. Martin Stringer, at Swansea’s Academy of Teaching and Learning (SALT) 2020 conference last week.
As well as sitting on SPECIFIC’s Management Team, Prof. Trystan Watson oversees one of the largest research group in Swansea University’s College of Engineering, supervises 15 students and post-doctoral researchers, teaches three modules, and undertakes world-leading research.
Feedback from his students demonstrates that he’s created a forward-thinking, collaborative environment where students feel their ideas and contributions are taken seriously while still being able to ask for advice when it’s needed. As a supervisor, knowing when to step in and offer support and when to take a step back and allow students to work independently is critical, and Trystan is an expert at this.
Trystan’s students’ feedback referred to him as the “solar King of Swansea” and noted “he goes above and beyond” and that “his lectures make the degree worth studying for.” The emphasis on Trystan’s enthusiasm for the subject was clear in all the feedback, as well as his clarity and personal support of students.
SPECIFIC Technology Transfer Fellow, Dr James McGettrick, said, “I wish I could put into words how much Trystan cares for his staff and students.”
Prof Trystan Watson said, “it was an absolute privilege to come to work every day and talk about interesting things with interesting people.”
Da iawn, Trystan!