Translated by UiOGPT
Distinguished educator is a title given to academic staff who have made an extraordinary effort in the field of education. The title is awarded by the rector based on an individual application and recommendation from an assessment committee.
"It is fantastic news that Jemima has been named a distinguished educator," says Tora Skodvin, Dean of studies at the Faculty of social sciences.
García-Godos is a professor of human geography at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography (ISS). Skodvin emphasizes how innovative and courageous the newly distinguished educator is, both in teaching methods and topics.
"Jemima tries new things, challenges students, and involves external partners in ways that add new perspectives and experiences," she says.
García-Godos shows great care for all students, notes the dean of studies, while also setting high standards and being somewhat strict but fair.
"Jemima is also skilled at involving others in her teaching work, and she is a crucial person in the Faculty of Social Sciences' efforts to develop a culture and community around good teaching," says Skodvin.
"We are very proud of our two distinguished educators. I hope Jemima's appointment can inspire more of the very talented instructors at the Faculty of Social Sciences to apply!"
Highlighting educational leadership
Jemima García-Godos finds it particularly prestigious to be named a distinguished educator, as the award highlights the work in education as important and valuable.
"Imagine something as privileged as the opportunity to contribute to the development and learning of young people," says García-Godos.
"There should have been many more distinguished educators at the Faculty of Social Sciences. There is so much exciting work being done in the field of education here, and I have many creative and dedicated colleagues."
She becomes the second distinguished educator at the Faculty of Social Sciences. David Jordhus-Lier, also a professor of human geography at ISS, received the title in 2021.
"I am happy to be the second to receive this award at the Faculty of Social Sciences, and I cheer for those who will come after."
The experienced professor has been part of the leadership team at ISS as the head of teaching in human geography over two periods. García-Godos claims that educational leadership and program development constitute much of the core of her educational practice.
"For me, educational leadership is about ensuring good processes to achieve common goals and strengthening our learning environment. This is precisely what makes leadership tasks so meaningful for me: the opportunity to influence, to move forward together," she says.
"So I want to thank my good colleagues at ISS for the opportunity I had to be the head of teaching and now, a distinguished educator."
Living up to the title
As a distinguished educator, Jemima García-Godos receives both a higher salary and the opportunity to work on pedagogical development during a dedicated education term. Another benefit is that she gets to participate in UiO's Pedagogical Academy – an interdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaboration between university educators at UiO.
"The distinction comes with a bit of responsibility. Responsibility to contribute to the pedagogical community and UiO’s educational project as a whole," says García-Godos.
"But I find this enjoyable, so I really look forward to being able to contribute with my own experience, participate in new processes, and tackle new tasks. And concerning students, I suppose I need to live up to the title. It will be exciting."
García-Godos is clear that students are her greatest motivation.
"We should show that we take them seriously by providing good teaching and setting high standards. Opening up opportunities – that’s what we do as educators."
A researching approach to her teaching
To become a distinguished educator, Jemima García-Godos had to go through an extensive application process, where she had to demonstrate how her own teaching and course and program development had evolved over time.
The human geographer says that working on the application was a bit time-consuming but also very enjoyable.
"In a busy everyday life with teaching, research, meetings, and everything else we academic staff do, it can be a bit difficult to find the time to reflect on one's own educational practice and development," says García-Godos.
In addition to the application letter, she had to describe, reflect on, and document her own practice in light of the so-called SoTL criteria – scholarship of teaching and learning.
"It was certainly an excellent exercise to go through, very instructive as well. I benefited from the application course that LINK organized before summer. I also received useful input from David Jordhus-Lier and Siri Aamodt, the coordinator of EILIN. I must absolutely say that I have had good support from the academic community."