Pharmacology educators shine at international event
Two Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) educators have been honoured at an event held as part of the World Congress of Pharmacology, one of the largest meetings of pharmacologists globally.
Dr Barbara Kemp-Harper and Associate Professor Elizabeth Davis were recognised for their contributions to education at the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Education Section meeting held in Kyoto, Japan, late last month. The IUPHAR Education Section meets prior to the congress, which this year attracted more than 4,500 participants from 83 countries.
Dr Kemp-Harper was awarded the IUPHAR Outstanding Early Educator Prize while
Associate Professor Davis was appointed Chair of the IUPHAR Education Section.
Monash BDI Director Professor John Carroll congratulated Dr Kemp-Harper and Associate Professor Davis on their achievements.
“These international achievements highlight the calibre of Monash BDI’s educators. Great to see our pharmacology educators being recognised for their role in inspiring the next generation of scientists,” Professor Carroll said.
Dr Kemp-Harper, who convenes the pharmacology honours program, said she still rates herself as fairly new to education (2012) so was honoured to be recognised at the international forum. The prize, which acknowledges academics who will potentially play a significant leadership role in fostering good teaching practices globally, was awarded for Dr Kemp-Harper’s advanced tutorial program, which is based on peer-learning groups rather than a teacher-led approach and leads to improved critical analysis skills.
“I think the award reflects Monash’s support for innovative education and the fact that staff are encouraged to pursue that,” Dr Kemp-Harper said.
“There were leaders in the field of education in pharmacology across the world so to know Australia and Monash are on par if not ahead is brilliant,” she said.
“It puts into context that what we’re doing at Monash BDI and in Australia is valued and that we are promoting leading educational strategies. We’re very active in the education space.”
Associate Professor Davis is taking over the role of chair of the IUPHAR Education Section, which involves co-ordinating pharmacology teaching networks across the globe.
“It’s all about developing networks so we can share resources and ideas,” Associate Professor Davis said.
“I think it’s a recognition of the support that I’ve had at Monash to develop education as my interest,” she said.
“I’m passionate about improving education and developing those networks and supporting others.”
Associate Professor Davis, who has progressed from being Education Section secretary, has been a driving force in co-ordinating the section. It is one of several leadership roles she holds; Deputy Director of Education within the Monash BDI, Deputy Head of Teaching in Pharmacology and Course Coordinator for the Bachelor or Biomedical Science degree at Monash, and Chair of the National Pharmacological Society’s education group..
The accolades follow the success of the two educators in last year’s inaugural Monash BDI Awards for Outstanding Achievement, where they jointly won the Innovation in Learning and Teaching award (equal first with another team).
Associate Professor Davis said colleague Professor Janet Macaulay’s contributions as Chair of the Committee for Education and Training for the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology also showed how the Monash BDI was leading the way in biomedical education.
The world congress meets every four years.