Congratulations to the lecturers of the year
The students have voted, and the 2023 Lecturer of the Year awards have been presented to lecturers who have done an exceptionally good job during the year.
Many talented lecturers stand in front of the classrooms and auditoriums at Health: all of them ready to help faculty students gain new knowledge, critical thinking skills and practical experience. Every year, students have a chance to pay tribute to accomplished lecturers who make lectures and classes especially interesting and relevant.
This year's lecturers were chosen by students on the different degree programmes. In addition to the award itself, the lecturers also receive a diploma and a cheque for DKK 5,000.
Here are this year’s recipients:
- Public Health Science: Associate Professor Rasmus Østergaard Nielsen
- Dentistry - Oral Health: Dental hygienist Sanne Molsen
- Clinical dental technique - Oral health: Specialist teacher Britt Hansen Bomberg
- Odontology: Dentist Karina Kambourakis Johnsen
- Medicine: Associate Professor Christian Bjerggaard Vægter
- Sports Science: Assistant Professor Jörg Krieger
Lecturer of the year 2023
We want to recognise the extraordinary lecturers at Health. For this reason, the faculty management team has introduced a teaching prize for lecturers at the faculty.
The lecturers of the year are chosen by the students at Health. The students choose one award winner per board of studies. In board of studies with several degree programmes, the award may be shared between several lecturers.
This is the first time that some of the lecturers have received the award, while others have received this pat on the back from students before.
One of the lecturers who has received the award multiple times is Karina Kambourakis Johnsen. Karina is from Brazil, where she worked as a dentist for many years. She is now a lecturer on the odontology degree programme in Aarhus.
"I’m very happy and grateful to be receiving this award for the second year in a row. I’m from Brazil and have only lived in Denmark for six years, so first I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to the students for putting up with my thick accent,” laughs Karina Kambourakis Johnsen and continues:
"I’m passionate about teaching and I do my best to pass on my knowledge and experience as a dentist to my students. I’m very gratified to hear that they found what I taught them useful. Hearing that gives me the energy and motivation to become an even better teacher."
If Karina Kambourakis Johnsen were to choose one thing that she particularly focuses on in her teaching, it would be creating a space where students feel comfortable asking her about anything and everything.
“When I was a dentistry student, I felt uncomfortable and afraid to ask my teachers questions. You’re completely new to a subject, and you sometimes feel stupid when you don’t understand things. So I really focus on creating a safe environment where students aren’t afraid to come to me with questions, even if they’re asking for the 100th time. I think that students, even at university level, can easily feel small and ignorant when they’re with experienced teachers who’ve worked in the field for years. So I always want my students to feel comfortable," she says.
Contact
Teaching Assistant Professor and Dentist Karina Kambourakis Johnsen
Aarhus University, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health
Phone: +45 60158170
Email: karinakj@dent.au.dk