Associate Professor Ian Davies MBE and Staffordshire Games Institute are among the recipients of Advance HE’s Teaching Excellence Awards 2026, which celebrate those shaping the future of teaching and learning across UK higher education
This year, 55 educators have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships, while 15 collaborative teams have received the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence in recognition of their significant and lasting contributions to student success, innovation and educational practice.
Ian Davies joined University of Staffordshire in 2015 after spending 20 years working as an NHS Biomedical Scientist. Passionate about developing the future scientific workforce, he created the University's Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship, which has grown into England's leading programme, partnering with more than 30 NHS trusts and supporting over 150 apprentices.
Recognised nationally for his expertise, Ian was named National Biomedical Scientist of the Year in 2023 and has twice featured in The Pathologist's Power List of global pathology influencers. Last year, he was also awarded an MBE for services to NHS diagnostic pathology and biomedical science education.
“I’m delighted to be awarded a National Teaching Fellowship as it recognises the national impact we have made to biomedical science education at the University of Staffordshire and my personal commitment to widening access to education,” Ian commented.
“The expertise in applying practice-based education gained through our degree apprenticeship programme leads the way in developing work-ready graduates and it is fantastic that this has been nationally recognised by this award.”
Staffordshire Games Institute, the UK’s largest games education provider, has received the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence, which celebrates the power of partnership and teamwork in delivering outstanding educational outcomes.
The award recognises the Institute's Connected-Careers strategy which brings together academic staff, professional services, careers, placements and industry partners to embed career development throughout students' studies.
Created in response to challenges facing the games industry, the approach integrates employability, curriculum, entrepreneurship, professional experience and career readiness into a joined-up support system.
Since its launch, it has delivered 300 mock interviews involving 64 industry professionals, supported 158 paid student placements through the award-winning 1UP scheme, matched 122 students with industry mentors and connected 272 students with an average of 88 employers through graduate showcases.
Professor Chris Headleand, Head of Staffordshire Games Institute, said: “Our aim has always been to make industry opportunities accessible to every student, regardless of background while strengthening partnerships with games studios through mentoring, live projects, placements and professional engagement initiatives.
“The success of Connected-Careers shows what can be achieved when education and industry work together to remove barriers and create genuine pathways into careers. This award is a testament to collaborative effort of colleagues across the University and beyond behind this approach.”
University of Staffordshire's commitment to career-focused education and student success was recently recognised with the title of University of the Year at the Academic Employability Awards 2026, alongside a top 10 UK ranking for overall student positivity in the National Student Survey 2026.
Professor Raheel Nawaz, Pro Vice Chancellor at University of Staffordshire, said: "To receive recognition through the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme and Collaborative Awards for Teaching Excellence is a tremendous achievement. Recipients represent the very best in UK Higher Education and we are proud of the outstanding contribution that Ian Davies and our Staffordshire Games Institute are making to learning and teaching at University of Staffordshire.
“These awards also reinforce our commitment to employability and providing students with an exceptional education that is informed by industry, driven by innovation and focused on graduate success."
The 2026 National Teaching Fellows and CATE recipients will be formally recognised at an awards ceremony on 24 September 2026 in Edinburgh.