Research

We are proud to share that The Innovative Pedagogy Hub has been awarded the ASPIRE Teaching-Track Environment Award, recognising its sustained commitment to building a collaborative, supportive, and intellectually vibrant environment for teaching-track colleagues in Politics and International Relations.

The ASPIRE Network, which supports academics on teaching-focused career paths, celebrates excellence in teaching and scholarship and advocates for the recognition, progression, and professional development of teaching-track staff. The Network highlights the vital contribution of teaching-focused academics to student experience, curriculum innovation, inclusive practice, and the development of pedagogical research.

In addition to the Hub’s recognition, two colleagues from the Innovative Pedagogy Hub also received individual ASPIRE Awards: Nicole Cassie was awarded Teaching-Track Change Maker Award and Vanessa Cook received a Supportive Colleague Award.

Below are the official citations from the ASPIRE Awards Board, highlighting the basis for each award and the achievements recognised.

Teaching-Track Environment Award

Winner: Innovative Pedagogy Hub, University of Glasgow

The Board selected the Innovative Pedagogy Hub in recognition of the supportive, collaborative, and intellectually energising environment it has created for teaching-track colleagues. The Hub stood out for its seminars, workshops, annual best-practice conference, promotion support, GTA development work, leadership on the Politics journal, and commitment to helping colleagues turn classroom practice into shareable pedagogic scholarship. The Board felt that the Hub offers a strong model of how an academic unit can build community, confidence, recognition, and professional development around the teaching track.

Teaching-Track Change Maker Award

Winner: Nicole Cassie, University of Glasgow

The Board selected Nicole Cassie in recognition of her sustained work to improve the experience, visibility, and development of teaching-track colleagues. Her nomination showed change across several levels, including the redesign of the pre-honours curriculum, support for GTAs as early-career educators, advocacy for meaningful and paid professional development opportunities, and work to raise awareness of teaching-track careers among PhD candidates. The Board was especially impressed by the way Nicole combined curriculum reform with a wider effort to challenge assumptions about the teaching track and to help colleagues see teaching-focused academic work as a valued and sustainable career pathway.

Supportive Colleague Award

Winner: Vanessa Cook, University of Glasgow

The Board selected Vanessa Cook for her exceptional and sustained support of colleagues, especially GTAs and early-career teaching-track staff. Her nominations showed a pattern of generous, practical and relational support, including the development of GTA networks, “Tea and Pedagogy” sessions, GTA-led seminars, drop-in clinics, and co-teaching opportunities for less experienced teachers. The Board was particularly impressed by the way Vanessa helps colleagues navigate the “unwritten rules” of the institution, creates space for junior voices to be heard, and responds to difficulties with empathy and practical solutions.

 

 

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First published: 2 June 2026