From this year onwards, the annual University Education Awards form part of the Opening of the Academic Year. In recent years, these awards were presented during the annual Education Days in the spring, but the ceremony has now returned to the Opening of the Academic Year in order to restore a more balanced recognition and appreciation of both research and teaching. Faculties were invited to nominate individual lecturers or teaching teams. Nominees had to have delivered an outstanding personal teaching achievement within Radboud University during the past year, contributing to the visibility and quality of education. The Executive Board presented the awards based on the recommendation of an appointed jury, chaired by Léon de Bruin, Vice Dean of Education at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. Six nominees were shortlisted in each award category.
Recipients of the University Education Awards receive a certificate and a cash prize of €3,000. Two-thirds of the prize money is intended to support improvements to education, while the remaining one-third may be spent at the recipient’s own discretion. The University Education Awards have been presented annually since 1996.
Jury citation – Senior Education Award
The jury praised Gabriela Contreras for combining academic rigour with demonstrable and sustained impact on the degree programme. In her teaching, she connects econometrics and quantitative methods with societal issues such as inequality, power and sustainability.
The jury report states: “Students not only acquire technical skills but also develop critical and responsible ways of thinking. In subjects that are traditionally perceived as abstract or challenging, she succeeds in bringing together academic content and societal relevance. Student evaluations are consistently excellent, and students describe her as inspiring and clear. A distinguishing feature of her work is the way in which she translates her scientific expertise in social networks, inequality and sustainability into educational innovation at programme level. As former Chair of the Programme Committee and in her current role as Programme Director, she is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment, promoting student engagement in quality enhancement, and embedding societal challenges structurally within the curriculum. She initiated the Inclusive Classroom initiative and, through projects such as FM-ROUTE and REFLECT, contributes to enhancing students' motivation, resilience and sense of belonging.”
The other nominees for the senior prize were Béryl Hilberink–Schulpen (Assistant Professor of Language and Communication, Faculty of Arts), Leontien de Kwaadsteniet (Teacher in Learning & Learning Problems, Faculty of Social Sciences), Eric Visser (Associate Professor of Ecology, Faculty of Science), The Law Teaching Team Extra (Faculty of Law) and Ineke van der Zee (Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences). The Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies did not submit a nomination this year.
The jury also made a special mention of Ineke van der Zee in recognition of her exceptional and longstanding commitment to education and the lasting contribution she has made to teaching at Radboud University.
Jury citation – Talent Education Award
The jury commended Justine Bakker for her ability to make highly specialised knowledge accessible while actively supporting students in their development towards professional practice. She teaches courses in which students are introduced to new core concepts and encouraged to move beyond familiar ways of thinking. The jury report states: “Justine does not simply deliver lectures. Students are intellectually challenged and are expected to prepare thoroughly. She also actively involves students in educational development, inviting them to contribute ideas and work directly on improvements to the programme.”
The jury emphasised that, despite her relatively short appointment, Justine already plays a key role in complex educational developments within her faculty. As programme coordinator, she has led curriculum revisions that extend well beyond individual modules. The jury particularly values her educational initiative, academic ambition, and her ability to engage students actively in educational innovation.
The other nominees for the talent prize were Bareerah Hafeez Hoorani (Assistant Professor Methods, Nijmegen School of Management), Jelle Cnossen (Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law), Tim Klaassen (Teacher in Educational Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences), and Nino Vallen (Assistant Professor of Cultural History, Faculty of Arts). The Faculty of Medical Sciences did not submit a candidate, while the Faculty of Science nominated a candidate who had left the university by the time the nomination was submitted.
The jury awarded a special mention to Bareerah Hafeez Hoorani in recognition of her intensive supervision of students and her ability to integrate teaching and research. She is highly valued for creating opportunities for students and actively involving them in academic development.
About the jury
In addition to Léon de Bruin (Vice Dean of Education, Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies), this year’s jury consisted of:
- Annemarie van Stee, Theme Lead for Teacher Development and Wellbeing at the Radboud Teaching and Learning Centre, and Lecturer in Philosophy
- Lien Foubert, Director of Education, Faculty of Arts
- Jos Kole, Lecturer and Educational Innovator, Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Marnix Snel, Director of Education, Faculty of Law
- Tobie Brons, Chair of the University Student Council and student at the Faculty of the Nijmegen School of Management
- Blom Bezemer, student at the Faculty of Social Sciences
- Rik Jan Dijkstra, student at the Faculty of Science
- Melissa Ruinard, representative of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion network
- Niels van Roon, Secretary to the jury and Policy Adviser, Academic Affairs
Attending the award ceremony
The award ceremony will take place on Monday 31 August 2026 during the Opening of the Academic Year at De Vereeniging concert hall in Nijmegen. You received a personal invitation by email.
