European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities

2012 Call for Nominations: European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Central European University is pleased to announce the second annual European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities.  This pioneering award, first announced in 2011 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Central European University, honors academics in the social sciences and humanities who teach at higher education institutions in countries of the European Higher Education Area.
With both teaching and research at the core of its mission, Central European University is committed to promoting excellence in teaching and the advancement of the social sciences and humanities. The European Award for Excellence in Teaching underscores this commitment, and it aims further to contribute to recent efforts in higher education on the European level that focus on the importance of teaching and learning.
Last year in response to the announcement of the 2012 inaugural Award, CEU received nominations from over ten European countries in support of faculty whose work spanned a wide range of academic areas.  High interest in the project, an impressive group of finalists, and overall positive feedback confirmed the significance and need for continued efforts in this area.  We are extremely pleased, therefore, to announce the second annual European Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Background of the Award
The original idea to initiate such an Award stemmed from an observation that in recent years, a strong emphasis has been placed at the European level on research in higher education. Research-related activities and achievements have attracted particular attention and recognition, also illustrated by the creation of European funding programs and awards for research.  This emphasis has been particularly severe in the social sciences and humanities. It was reflected, moreover, in the absence, until recently, of major systematic initiatives at the European level to recognize the value of teaching.
Recently, however, there have been strong indications that policy makers in Europe are starting to realize that teaching could, should and does play an important role in higher education. This recognizes that, in conjunction with research, teaching in support of student knowledge construction within and across disciplines, general education, and professional training at the higher education level have an important role to play in a “knowledge society.”
Although a number of universities offer their own teaching awards and various professional and other associations offer prizes within subject areas, prior to the establishment of the European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities, there appeared to be no significant pan-European rewards for teaching excellence in higher education in the social sciences and humanities. The European Award was designed to address this need: it is intended both to promote better teaching and to enhance recognition of the importance of teaching throughout Europe.
Nominations for the European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities will be accepted until January 31, 2013. Nominations should be sent electronically to: TeachingAward@ceu.hu.