The Mary Tasker Award is made in recognition of excellence in teaching at the University.

In 2017 the award was presented to Dr Richard Joiner in the Department of Psychology.

Dr Joiner was selected by the Committee for his significant commitment and achievements in the delivery and development of excellent teaching.

Acknowledged widely for his enthusiasm and passion for his subject, Dr Joiner’s impact on students is clearly evident from his consistently high teaching evaluation scores.

Dr Joiner’s contributions to the literature on teaching further attest to this skill. His publications include articles critically examining innovative lectures (Boxmind), podcasts, Second Life, and digital games in education. Dr Joiner has published nine peer reviewed journal articles and presented eight at various international conferences on teaching and learning in higher education and co-authored a popular text on Developmental Psychology, which went through two editions over a ten-year span.

Dr Joiner has supported his interest in effective teaching by obtaining two national grants for teaching and learning, among nine other grants from the University and the Faculty Teaching and Development funds. He has produced several initiatives in teaching innovation, and these initiatives lead to highly useful tools, including the E-writing project, use of social networking sites for Peer Support, and the use of digital games in teaching. This latter innovation won an international award for innovation in teaching and learning. Dr Joiner’s influence on learning and teaching extends internationally and is highly deserving of this award.