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Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics

 

Dr Martin Ruehl Awarded 2017 Pilkington Prize for Teaching Excellence

Martin Ruehl in supervision

It gives us great pleasure to announce that Dr Martin Ruehl has been awarded the 2017 Pilkington Prize for teaching excellence. The Pilkington Prize goes to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning within a department, a faculty, or the university as a whole. 

In her letter of support, the Head of the Department of German and Dutch, Professor Sarah Colvin, wrote:

"Since joining the Department in 2007, Martin has consistently received phenomenal feedback from our students, undergraduates and graduates alike. He is a superb pedagogue, who brings innovative methods and enormous enthusiasm to his lectures and supervisions. He works tirelessly for his students at the College as well as the Faculty level. Over the past four years, he has played a key role, as Schools Liaison Officer, in our widening participation efforts, organizing open days, summer schools, and other outreach events. Martin is an extraordinarily dedicated and inspiring teacher who has not only attracted countless students to Cambridge, but also significantly enhanced their experience here.”   

Dr Martin RuehlIn their evaluations, MML students have singled out Dr Ruehl’s “unparalleled erudition and enthusiasm”, his “excellent hand-outs with themed vocabulary (philosophy, hendiadys, false friends etc.)”, his ability to “really bring to life the issues at stake in the papers”, to create a “very relaxed environment, with very good opportunities for participation”, and his willingness to “provide extra optional classes after we requested more contact time”.

Here is a sample of their comments:

 “Dr Ruehl is patient if you don't know the answer to a question and always walks you through it until you get it yourself.”

 “Dr. Ruehl's lectures were particularly good - I always understand his explanations, even of difficult concepts.”

 “Everybody gets the opportunity to participate as Dr Ruehl asks questions round the class, and you have the feeling that it's a smaller group than it actually is, because the discursive aspect is very good. I enjoy these classes immensely. Our thanks are due to Dr      Ruehl for his dedication and enthusiasm!”

 

Many congratulations to Dr Martin Ruehl on this fine achievement.