Scott Abbott Paterson, Associate Professor in Anatomy, in the University’s School of Anatomy, has been awarded an Advance HE National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding impact on teaching, learning and student outcomes.
The University’s CREATE (Cultivating Research-rich Education and Teaching Excellence) team has scooped the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) in recognition of its partnership-led approaches that have enhanced educational practice and student experience.
The annual awards, which continue to be one of the UK's highest honours in higher education, celebrate exceptional individuals and teams whose work is shaping the future of teaching and learning.
Abbott Paterson said: “I’m incredibly honoured to receive an Advance HE National Teaching Fellowship. It is a privilege to work alongside talented colleagues and remarkable students, and I am humbled by this recognition. For me, teaching is about creating opportunities for students to develop confidence, think critically, and discover the excitement of asking ‘why?’. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported and inspired me throughout my career, and I’m proud to be part of a university that values teaching and continually invests in the student learning experience."
The CREATE team supports University of Bristol staff to develop their teaching skills, celebrate teaching excellence, and create the best possible learning experience for students. Through training, qualifications and professional recognition programmes, they help staff build confidence and share good practice across the university.
The team is led by head Dr Hannah Grist, Senior Lecturer in Academic Development, and Ros O'Leary, Head of the Bristol Institute for Learning and Teaching (BILT) and Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching.
Grist said: “We are delighted to have been recognised for this prestigious award. This award belongs to our wider CREATE community: to all the staff who have invested time in developing their practice and enriching the student experience; to our amazing network of volunteer peer assessors and mentors who generously share their expertise, experience and encouragement; and to everyone who contributes to making teaching excellence a collective endeavour at Bristol.”
Judith Squires, University of Bristol Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost, said: “These national awards are a wonderful recognition of the creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit that define teaching and learning at the University of Bristol. I am delighted to see the outstanding work of my colleagues recognised at a national level. Congratulations to everyone involved on this well-deserved achievement.”
Alistair Jarvis CBE, Chief Executive of Advance HE, said: “Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 National Teaching Fellowships and Collaborative Awards for Teaching Excellence. They exemplify the dedication, creativity and leadership that underpin outstanding higher education. Through their commitment to students and continual enhancement of teaching and learning, they are making a significant contribution to their institutions and the wider sector.”
The 2026 National Teaching Fellows and CATE recipients will be formally recognised at an awards ceremony on 24 September 2026 in Edinburgh.