A University of Manchester academic has won the inaugural Royal Meteorological Society Education Award in recognition of his long record of teaching excellence.
David Schultz, Professor of Synoptic Meteorology, was nominated for the award that celebrates people and teams who have made outstanding and exceptional contributions to meteorology and related disciplines.
The award citation states that Prof Schultz was the “most worthy recipient of the Royal Meteorological Society’s Education Award” and that “his commitment to the teaching of meteorology, and to furthering the careers of young people has drawn praise from many generations of students.”
Prof Schultz has a long record of innovation and producing materials and tools that benefit the wider educational community as well as his own classes. He authored the book Eloquent Science: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Better Writer, Speaker, and Atmospheric Scientist, to help atmospheric scientists with communication skills.
He also led the development of ManUniCast.com, which was the first freely accessible real-time weather and air-quality forecasting portal for the UK, as well as the development of an online open course called Our Earth: Its Climate, History, and Processes.
Prof Schultz has been recognised by his students and colleagues on a number of occasions. He won School and Faculty Teaching Awards ten times, the University Teaching Excellence Award three times and the Student Union’s Outstanding Research Supervision award.
Prof Schultz will accept the award at a ceremony later in the year.
“Throughout my life, I wanted to be a teacher and a mentor to others. This award is a testament to all those who supported my efforts to achieve that.”
–Prof David Schultz
He said: “I am extremely honored to receive the first Education Award from the Royal Meteorological Society. Throughout my life, I wanted to be a teacher and a mentor to others. This award is a testament to all those who supported my efforts to achieve that: my parents encouraged my curiosity, my teachers pushed me to be a better student, and my wife shares my passion for excellent teaching.
“Importantly, I want to recognise my PhD thesis advisors Lance Bosart and Dan Keyser who—through their teaching and mentorship—inspired me to teach through active-learning methods, which better engage students in their own independent learning.
“The development of the web-based tools, as well as my textbook, would not exist without their inspiration and guidance. Finally, I want to thank all my students over the years who have provided feedback to help me develop into a better educator.”
The Royal Meteorological Society’s awards reflect the breadth of work in the meteorological community. The Education Award is bestowed annually for weather and climate teaching excellence, in recognition of significant and sustained commitment to the delivery and/or support of teaching and learning, or the development and use of innovative teaching or training resources related to weather, climate and related applications.
