Aberdeen academic wins prestigious prize from the Royal Astronomical Society

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Aberdeen academic wins prestigious prize from the Royal Astronomical Society

A University of Aberdeen academic and mental health champion has received a prestigious award in recognition of his efforts.

Dr David Cornwell, Senior Lecturer in the School of Geosciences, has been awarded the 2024 Higher Education Award by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) for his “outstanding and sustained contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate geophysics teaching over a number of years”.

The society highlighted David’s commitment to his students and their wellbeing during his 11 years teaching at the University, using his knowledge as a trained mental health first aider to provide support and mentoring, as well as sharing the ways that prioritising mental wellbeing can benefit his students, their work and career prospects.

Recognising the need for additional support during the Covid-19 pandemic, David created an online mentorship programme between students and industry partners, which provided career discussion opportunities and ensured students had contacts throughout Christmas and other non-teaching periods. The scheme has continued ever since, to the benefit of both students and their mentors.

He is also dedicated to supporting colleagues’ mental health and led the launch of the School of Geosciences Mental Health Action Group. With the help of colleagues and other trained mental health first aiders in the School, the group aimed to tackle isolation and create a community during the Covid lockdowns through online challenges, photo competitions and quizzes, with an emphasis on available mental health support.

The society also recognised David’s positive impact as a role model for the Lightyear Foundation, an organisation that provides opportunities for disabled children to participate in practical STEM activities. After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 15, David is passionate about using his personal experience and position to show all students and schoolchildren that disability need not be a barrier to succeeding in STEM careers.

David is a long-term RAS member and has regularly served as a committee member for the British Geophysical Association (BGA), which is a joint RAS and Geological Society of London subsidiary association that promotes geophysics in the UK.

The RAS Higher Education Award is given to those who have made noteworthy contributions to undergraduate or postgraduate student supervision in higher education of astronomy or geophysics. The prize consists of £500 payable to the awardee’s department to support their activities.

David said: “I am hugely honoured to be given this award, as I view it as the highest in the UK for geophysics university teaching. I thoroughly enjoy being in the classroom and have benefitted from the knowledge, support and experience of numerous students and colleagues. I hope I can continue to support them in their academic pursuits and promote better mental health and disability conditions for all.”

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