Laura Milne, head of digital education at the University of Chester, has won a prestigious national learning technology award.

Team leader Mrs Milne, who joined the University in Spring 2023, was awarded an individual ALT (Association for Learning Technology) Award on September 4, reflecting her innovative work and impact on learning technology.

The ALT Awards were established in 2007 to recognise research and practice, and outstanding achievement by individuals, teams, and organisations who deliver and develop communication, information and related technologies to support learning, teaching and assessment.

The awards have set a national benchmark and attract competitive entries from the UK and internationally.

At the University of Chester, Mrs Milne leads the educational technology strategy and has transformed the University's Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle.

Simon Birkett from Jisc has said: "She has contributed to the development and refinement of these materials which will impact across the whole higher education sector in the UK."

Nurun Nahar, who was part of the judging panel and is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Bolton, presenting Laura (on the right) with her Award.  (Image: University of Chester)

Her transformation work has led to improvements in aspects of the teaching interface, including the ease of access to information across the platform.

Mrs Milne is also leading the university's plans for the ethical use of Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence).

An initiative under her leadership resulted in the university's selection as one of only seven institutions nationally to pilot a Generative AI tool to support teaching.

Regarding the award, Mrs Milne said: "I feel honoured to be recognised for this Award, particularly when reflecting on how my work has been appreciated across the University and wider sector."

Professor Jackie Potter, Dean of Academic Innovation at the University of Chester, who nominated Mrs Milne for the award said: "Laura is a very worthy winner of the ALT individual Award.

"She places students and staff at the centre of her work, and her innovation, expertise, creativity and enthusiasm are having a significant impact."