Dr Susan Kenyon has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship, the UK’s most prestigious teaching excellence award.

One of just 55 educators who received a Fellowship this year, the Advancing HE National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) recognises, rewards and celebrates academics who have demonstrated sustained excellence and made an outstanding contribution to enhancing the student learning experience and outcomes in higher education.   

Launched in 2000, the NTFS has played a significant contribution in driving the sector’s efforts to continuously improve learning and teaching for the benefit of students and society. It remains one of the UK’s highest honours for individuals in higher education, with Fellows continuing to champion excellence in teaching and learning within their institutions, the higher education sector and beyond.

Dr Kenyon, a Principal Lecturer in Politics, has received her Fellowship in recognition of her dedication to advancing inclusion in higher education, leading transformational change to improve equality of opportunity and outcomes for students.

She believes that higher education’s transformative potential can only be fully realised through inclusive education, policy and practice, that enables students from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential. Through her leadership, teaching and internationally recognised research, she has had a positive impact on teaching, policy and practice across universities throughout the UK.

I am deeply honoured to receive the National Teaching Fellowship. At the heart of my work is supporting all students to receive the best possible experience whilst studying at Canterbury Christ Church University, ensuring that they are all able to benefit from their degree and achieve their ambitions. Teaching really is a team sport, and I am incredibly grateful to my academic and professional services colleagues across the University for their support. Special thanks to our Politics team and to our amazing students.

We congratulate Susan on this well-earned honour and are proud that her achievement reflects the dedication to student success that lies at the heart of the Politics team’s approach to teaching and learning.

A longer version of this blog was first posted on CCCU News on 6 August 2026