idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
The 2025 Berninghausen Prize for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to three teaching staff members. Linguist Dr. Barbara Aehnlich impressed the jury in the “Good Teaching” category. The “Student Prize” was awarded to psychologist Dr. Julia Stern and cultural scientist Dr. Ulrike Flader.
The University of Bremen, together with the "unifreunde" Association, has once again awarded the Berninghausen Prize for Excellence in Teaching this year. On this year’s Academic Day (Dies Academicus), Prof. Dr. Felicitas Macgilchrist, University of Oldenburg, gave a lecture followed by a discussion entitled: "Lehren, Lernen, Transformation: Die Wartung des Wandels" (Teaching, Learning, Transformation: Maintaining Change).
Professor Maren Petersen, Vice President for Teaching and Studies, warmly congratulated the laureates: “Good teaching has a long-term impact, is vibrant, and remains a formative experience for students throughout their educational journey. It is creative and adaptable – and enriches the University of Bremen with sustainable learning impulses and a lively academic community.”
The competition was particularly strong this year: 172 nominations were submitted in the Good Teaching category and 113 in the Student Prize category. The selection committee consisted of teaching staff members, university staff, and students.
Good Teaching: Barbara Aehnlich Teaches in a Practice-Oriented and Appreciative Manner
The jury emphasized that the seminars led by linguist Barbara Aehnlich are practice-oriented, transparent, and cross-disciplinary, and that the concept is well thought out for the long term. The students stressed that she “is constantly refining her seminars and exams.” Barbara Aehnlich is a university lecturer who is always approachable for all students and very keen to receive feedback. Criticism is something she is open to. “She creates a pleasant seminar atmosphere in which learning together is central,” commented the students. They also praised her appreciative treatment of students. The university lecturer also devotes herself to a subject that tends to be underrepresented in schools: historical linguistics. “She tackles the subject head-on and works with students to develop possible topics for lessons and lesson sequences that can be used in schools.”
Student Prize: Ulrike Flader Promotes Creative Learning Through Dialogue
The jury was impressed by how Ulrike Flader “reduces fears and promotes dialogue." Her understanding of good teaching is based on the fundamental idea that creative and sustainable learning is a collective process. The cultural scientist supports dialogue and encourages students to engage in conversation without fear. The jury was also impressed by how she addresses the topic of internationalization and implements it in her teaching in a practical way. The students, who perceive their university lecturer as very committed, particularly highlighted the cooperation with Rojava and Kurdish students, which opens up beneficial perspectives. The opportunity for exchange by means of digital teaching was rated particularly positively. Ulrike Flader thus supports “international exchange on an academic and personal level.”
Student Prize: Julia Stern Combines Professional Competence and an Appreciative Attitude
The jury was impressed by the fact that all students assessed Ms. Stern's teaching with the top grade. In her classes, she takes an international approach and makes use of full accessibility. The students emphasized how structured the courses are and how flexible their university lecturer is in her teaching. “Julia Stern combines outstanding teaching skills, innovative teaching methods, and a high level of professional competence with an open and appreciative attitude toward her students,” praised the jury. Her teaching is clearly structured, hands-on, and interactive. She creates a trusting learning atmosphere and contributes to a positive academic experience.
About the Berninghausen Prize
Since 1991, the University of Bremen and the “unifreunde” Association of the Friends of the University of Bremen and Constructor University have awarded the prize, donated by the Berninghausen family, annually to honor special achievements in university teaching. The prize is endowed with 6,000 euros and is distributed across several categories. All members of the university can nominate teaching staff members for the Good Teaching prize; only students are eligible to nominate teaching staff members for the Student Prize.
https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/preis-fuer-gute-lehre/the-award
https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/
The Berninghausen Prize award ceremony. From left: Barbara Aehnlich; Sascha Otto, unifreunde Associa ...
Copyright: Matej Meza/ Universität Bremen
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