UCL educators win national awards

An outstanding contribution 

Dr Pete Fitch (UCL HEDS) won the award for Outstanding Contribution to UKAT. In his work Pete has demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing academic advising practices and supporting professional development across UCL and beyond. 

Pete has been involved in UKAT leadership since 2021, developing their online professional development provision and evaluation work. At UCL he plays a leading role in the generation and delivery of new personal tutoring focused workshops, resources and guidance. Pete has supported 30 colleagues from UCL to receive UKAT recognition.  

Since 2022, he has co-led an institutional review of Personal Tutoring at UCL and helped to secure support for the introduction of a new UCL Personal Academic Tutoring (PAT) policy in 2025. Pete has also recently developed the UCL PAT Essentials Hub (UCL login required).  

“Pete has made an outstanding contribution to UKAT and UCL through his sector -leadership for personal tutoring evaluation and training. As someone who rarely ‘toots his own horn’ but always goes the extra -mile, Pete is exceptionally deserving and it is pleasure to celebrate his success with this award.” Professor Kathryn Woods, Pro-Vice-Provost (Education – Student Academic Engagement) 

Outstanding student support 

Dr Christian Emery (Arts & Humanities) was the winner of the award Outstanding Student Support. Christian is Department Tutor in UCL's School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SEESS). Christian has been recognised as a tireless advocate for compassionate and proactive student support. He provides a rare combination of strategic vision and an extraordinary commitment to individual students.  

His leadership has fundamentally reshaped his department’s approach to personal tutoring.  He has led innovative changes to attendance monitoring, reframing communications with students to prioritise welfare and early intervention.   

“Christian's work has made a huge contribution to improving student experience in SSEES and it is fantastic to see him receive recognition for this at national level with the UKAT award.” Dr Rachel Morley, Academic Director of Education, SSEES.  

Innovation in Personal Tutoring 

Dr Sarah Bennett (Medical Sciences) won the award for Innovation in Personal Tutoring.  Dr Sarah Bennett is Deputy Lead (Years 1-3) of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme at UCL. Sarah has transformed her personal tutoring through evidence-based innovations and comprehensive support.  

She has transformed personal academic tutoring at UCL Medical School through innovative, research-informed, and inclusive practices. Her holistic approach to personal academic tutoring and sustainable implementation, creates a model that enhances both the student experience and tutor confidence. 

About UKAT 

The United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring association (UKAT) is a body of professional practitioners and researchers interested in all aspects of student advising and Personal Academic Tutoring (PAT) in Higher Education in the UK.   

UCL has been an institutional member of UKAT since 2022. UCL staff can join UKAT for free and gain access to additional professional development opportunities, recognition and support. Visit the UCL PAT Essentials Hub to learn more (UCL login required).