Supervisor of Year 2024 winers and finalists, back row, left to right, Humanities Divisional Winner Dr Dan Osland, Humanities (Interim) Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Hugh Campbell on behalf of Humanities Divisional finalist Associate Professor Karyn Paringatai, Sciences Divisional finalist Dr Meredith Peddie, OUSA Postgraduate Representative Hanna Friedlander and Deputy-Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise Professor Richard Blaikie. Front row, from left, Health Sciences Divisional finalist Associate Professor Azam Ali, Commerce Divisional finalist Professor Hazel Tucker, Sciences Divisional Winner Dr Matt Larcombe, Sciences Divisional finalist Dr Jo Monks, Professor Rachael Taylor on behalf of Health Sciences Divisional finalist and Best New Supervisor of the Year Dr Andrew Reynolds, Commerce Divisional Winner and Overall Winner Supervisor of the Year Dr Jeff Foote, Commerce Divisional finalist Professor Neil Carr and Graduate Research School Dean Associate Professor Diane Ruwhiu.
Dr Jeff Foote, of the Department of Management, has won the Otago University Students’ Association Overall Supervisor of the Year Award for 2024, with nominees describing him as excellent, dedicated and empowering.
It is the second year in a row the Overall Supervisor of the Year award has gone to the Division of Commerce, with Associate Professor Julia Albrecht, of the Department of Tourism, winning the award in 2023.
The Supervisor of the Year 2024 award ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon. The annual event, run by OUSA and the Graduate Research School, is held to celebrate Otago’s top supervisors who are nominated anonymously by students.
The other major award – Best New Supervisor of the Year - went to Dr Andrew Reynolds, of the Division of Health Sciences.
Awards also go to Divisional winners, as well as two Divisional finalists.
Here are a few comments from students who nominated Dr Jeff Foote:
“Jeff is an excellent supervisor; he goes out of his way to ensure I have the personal and professional support needed to succeed in all aspects of my study.”
“He has put more effort into developing his understanding of Te Ao Māori than any other Pākehā staff member I have come across. Jeff has empowered me, for which I will always be grateful.”
“Choosing Jeff as a doctoral supervisor means selecting a mentor dedicated to personal and academic growth. His qualities ensure that your doctoral journey is not just a project but a life-changing experience.”
Students who nominated Dr Andrew Reynolds said:
“Andrew is a supportive supervisor who evidently cares about his students – as current students, in their future careers, and as people. Despite his busy schedule, he takes the time to fit in meetings and ensure his students are on track.”
“He holds high expectations, but these are never unreasonable. Instead, he pushes his students to maximise their abilities. He provides constructive feedback, asks challenging questions, and offers direction – but this is a two-way relationship. He is happy to accept feedback and suggestions from his students, too, and willingly adapts the way he’s working to their needs and preferences.”
Full list of winners and finalists:
Overall Supervisor of the Year – Dr Jeff Foote, Management
Best New Supervisor of the Year – Dr Andrew Reynolds, Medicine
Commerce
Winner - Dr Jeff Foote, Management
Finalist - Professor Hazel Tucker, Tourism
Finalist - Professor Neil Carr, Tourism
Health Sciences
Winner - Associate Professor Anna Pilbrow, Medicine, Christchurch campus
Finalist - Associate Professor Azam Ali, Oral Rehabilitation
Finalist - Dr Andrew Reynolds, Medicine, Dunedin campus
Humanities
Winner - Dr Dan Osland, Classics
Finalist - Professor Vivienne Anderson, College of Education
Finalist - Associate Professor Karyn Paringatai, Te Tumu
Sciences
Winner, Dr Matt Larcombe, Botany
Finalist, Dr Meredith Peddie, Human Nutrition
Finalist, Dr Jo Monks, Zoology