York St John University academic awarded National Teaching Fellowship

Dr Mellor, currently an Associate Professor in Music, joined York St John University in 2000 and works within the Faculty of Arts in Music. Her key contributions have been in teaching and research in the areas of music education, music in the community, music, health and wellbeing.

She teaches on a range of courses on the BA Music Programme including Music Dissertations, Research and Enterprise in Music, Music in Education, Music in the Community, Practice as Research Projects: Arts and Health, and ZOOP ( Zone of Optimal Performance). Liz has directed an all female singing group called St. Margaret’s Singers since 2002 at YSJU.  She is an experienced external examiner across undergraduate, Masters and PhDs.

Fifty-five higher education staff were chosen as this year’s National Teaching Fellows by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) from more than 180 nominations. The scheme is open to staff whose teaching or support roles enhance the student learning experience. Successful nominees were nominated by their institutions and submissions had to show evidence of three criteria: individual excellence, raising the profile of excellence, and continuing to develop excellence.

Professor Stephanie Marshall, Chief Executive of the HEA, said: “The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme celebrates outstanding achievement in learning and teaching in higher education. 

“Each year when I read about our new National Teaching Fellows what stands out for me are the comments made by their students, who describe them as innovative, engaging, entertaining, genuine, and passionate about teaching. This year is no exception.  The new 2015 National Teaching Fellows we honour today are truly deserving of the award.”

“Receiving a National Teaching Fellowship is just the beginning. They are an active community of passionate and enthusiastic professionals, working to enhance learning and teaching in their institutions and the sector.”

Dr Mellor’s teaching is underpinned by her research which includes aesthetic development in music education (PhD thesis), assessment, creativity, collaboration, composition, inclusive leadership, student engagement in learning and employability in music.  

She was awarded a Research Fellowship of the Collaboration for Creativity Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for ’Singing Health and Wellbeing’ which supported students to work in a range of settings in the community including the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She works closely with CONVERGE Music at York St John University with mental health service users within York St John University.

Through successful funding applications in learning and teaching development, Dr Mellor has a sustained record of innovative projects working with student researchers, external partners and professionals. Projects have contributed to understanding of student voice, inclusive peer-leadership in music, the use of the e-portfolio in professional development assessment in music and researching collaboration, composing & creativity through recording. She was awarded one of the first Excellent People Awards at York St John in 2012.

Dr Mellor initiated the first Research Assessment Exercise in Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts in 2001 at YSJU, and has continued to lead on this work developing an applied arts and social engagement narrative. This recently demonstrated world class impact. In 2014 she worked with Lee Higgins at Boston University, USA, to establish the International Centre for Community Music (ICCM) at YSJU to continue this work in music and social justice across the HE sector from an international perspective.

She said: “I was delighted and honoured to be nominated by York St John for this award and thank all those who have been part of my journey as a teacher, researcher and a learner - especially the students. This award belongs to you as much as it belongs to me to continue our work together”

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.

The awards will be formally presented at a celebration event to be held at Liverpool Cathedral in October.