Churchill Fellow Professor Liz Soilleux is one of thirteen inspirational academics honoured for the outstanding quality and approach to their teaching in the annual Pilkington Prizes, which honours excellence in teaching across the collegiate University. The winners will join a celebration at Fitzwilliam College near the end of June.

Prof. Liz Soilleux was nominated for her tireless contribution to pre-clinical pathology teaching over many years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic she was instrumental in updating the Biology of Disease histopathology practical classes to be more reflective of current diagnostic practice, having undertaken professional development in medical education and been awarded a PGDip with Distinction. Her innovative approach continued during the pandemic with her crucial role in transforming the undergraduate pathology practical classes into a virtual format. This included her creative strategy of filming pathology pot specimens using a GoPro to ensure learners could view these precious teaching aids, as well as filming walkthroughs of digital slides and recruiting and supporting colleagues as virtual demonstrators.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Liz was also PI of a research laboratory, Fellow and Director of Studies in pre-clinical medicine at Churchill College, and one of a handful of medical consultants running a tertiary centre diagnostic laboratory service. She carried out all of these roles to the highest standards. Liz is enormously generous in sharing her educational expertise with colleagues, never hesitating to invite their contribution and act as their sponsor in pursuing roles, and this is all done with the benefit of learners in mind

The Pilkington Prize

The Pilkington Prize awards were endowed and inaugurated in 1994 by Sir Alastair Pilkington to acknowledge excellence in teaching. The prizes are awarded to individuals who make a substantial contribution to the teaching programme of a Department, Faculty or the University as a whole. Prizes of £1000 are awarded each year, with nominations made by each of the six Schools. The prizes are awarded annually by the Vice-Chancellor.

You can see all the 2023 Prize Winners here.

Credit: University of Cambridge