The award is named after Rae Harbird, who passed away in 2023, and who worked in UCL’s Computer Science Department for nearly thirty years. Rae leaves a considerable legacy that is honoured through this award, which recognises, rewards, and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the education community within the faculty here at UCL.
Chika is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemical Engineering and serves as the departmental Director for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), as well as the Departmental Tutor. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a member of the IChemE Education Special Interest Group and Co-Chairs the Engineering Professor's Council DEI Community of Special Interest. Chika joined UCL Biochemical Engineering as a Teaching Fellow in 2017.
In the application, it was felt that Chika has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation, enhancing student experience and outcomes not only in our department, but also in the wider UCL Engineering Faculty. They identified her work in amplifying student voices, establishing a structured mentoring and support system for Postgraduate Teaching Assistants (PGTAs) and leading the evolution of the Design and Professional skills modules as examples of her achievements leading to the award.
Chika has been instrumental in the UCL Biochemical Engineering Department's recent submission of a successful Athena Swan Gold application.
Her nomination noted that Chika demonstrates a strong commitment to teaching excellence and advancing it both within Biochemical Engineering and across the wider academic community. Throughout all her roles, she has actively supported colleagues in developing the skills and confidence to evaluate and publish their teaching practice.
