The Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division at the University honoured Professor Thomas Adcock for excellence in teaching in this year’s MPLS Teaching Awards.
Prof Adcock’s nominations highlight his ‘enormous contribution’ to the high-quality teaching of Engineering Science at Oxford. Specifically, his tireless work on various teaching-related projects including editing a new edition of the Department’s undergraduate reference book ‘Engineering Tables and Data’ known as ‘HLT’. This project is central to the department’s undergraduate teaching. The nominations also emphasised Prof Adcock’s contributions to the Access and Outreach programme’s Engineering Residential at St Peter’s College, a programme that has raised the aspirations of young engineers from groups often under-represented at Oxford.
Professor Jim Naismith, Head of the MPLS Division, expressed his admiration:
‘Oxford teaching transforms lives for the better. [The division] is rightly proud of the efforts of our colleagues who deliver excellent teaching day in day out. I am really pleased to celebrate some exceptional and inspirational teachers who have won these awards and those who were nominated.’
Prof Adcock said,
‘I am very happy that this award acknowledges the work we have done in St Peter's to create a fully funded residential programme for prospective engineering students who are under-represented in Oxford. This programme yields around 30% of the undergraduate engineers in the College improving the diversity of our students.’
About Prof Adcock
Prof Adcock is Fellow and Tutor in Engineering Science at St Peter’s College and Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. He tutors students in structures and dynamics at St Peter’s and Exeter College. His research group examines how engineers understand the ocean environment and how this interacts with offshore and coastal infrastructure. The main application of his work is offshore renewable energy. Prof Adcock first joined St Peter’s College as an undergraduate studying Engineering Science in 2001. He then went on to complete a doctorate in Engineering Science at New College, University of Oxford. After working in a number of post-doctoral and industry positions, he returned to St Peter’s as a Fellow in 2012 and has since then served in a handful College Officer roles and as Associate Head of the Engineering Science department. Currently, Prof Adcock is serving as Senior Proctor at the University of Oxford.