Professor Lesley McMillan wins National Teaching Fellowship Award

Professor Lesley McMillan

Professor Lesley McMillan has been awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship from Advance HE.

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.

Professor McMillan teaches Criminology at GCU and has spent more than 10 years leading institutional responses to sexual violence.

Her research led to the co-creation of the award-winning Erase the Grey campaign, which has been adopted by Police Scotland and other higher and further education institutions across the UK. The campaign, which challenges stereotypes and myths around gender-based violence, has reached around 200,000 staff and students.

Professor McMillan has also led on the University's First Responders initiative, which helps GCU staff and students who have experienced gender-based violence, and the Fearless Glasgow project, which brings together all universities and colleges in the west of Scotland and the police, councils and the third sector to tackle gender-based violence and offer enhanced support to students.

She is one of only 54 individuals across the UK to receive a National Teaching Fellowship this year.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE said: "This is wonderful recognition for Professor McMillan and for the University. I am delighted that Lesley's leadership and innovation has been acknowledged with this prestigious award.

"Lesley's work embodies our University's mission for the Common Good and has a profound impact on our students and staff, as well as the wider community.

"It is wonderful to see such positive work at GCU and I would like to warmly congratulate Lesley for this significant achievement."

Advance HE is an independent non-profit organisation committed to world-class teaching in higher education. It works in partnership with institutions and individuals in higher education to support continuous improvement and student success.