Adina Akbik wins Student-led Teaching Award
This September, Adina Akbik received the first-ever Political Science Teaching Award at Leiden University. Created by student members of the Bachelor's and Master's Programme Committees (OLC), the award recognises remarkable teaching at the Institute. Akbik was chosen from five finalists after receiving several student nominations praising her innovative methods, strong engagement, and teaching excellence.
Recognizing Quality in Education
The student jury behind the award focused on three key criteria when selecting nominees: engagement, innovative teaching, and teaching skills. After receiving multiple nominations, the jury narrowed the list to five, ultimately selecting Adina Akbik as the winner. In their report, the jury emphasised that Akbik stood out for her student-centred approach. Adina explained that she was inspired by her own experiences growing up in post-communist Romania, where the traditional top-down teaching style felt restrictive.
‘Education should not just be top-down, but student-centred,’ Akbik wrote in her motivation for the award. This belief has shaped her teaching, which focuses on fostering intellectual curiosity and preparing students for careers beyond academia.
Combining practice and theory
Akbik is known for integrating professional skills into her coursework, ensuring that students can see the real-world application of their studies. She often invites guest speakers from EU institutions to share insights from their professional journeys, giving students a glimpse of potential career paths. In her Policy Evaluation course, for example, she dedicates a whole session to the topic ‘where can I work to conduct policy evaluation?’, which includes an overview of public, private, and non-governmental organisations.
A student who nominated Akbik noted, ‘She facilitated insightful class discussions that encouraged students to delve deeper into the subject matter. Her ability to stimulate intellectual curiosity and foster meaningful dialogue is commendable.’
In addition to the title, Adina Akbik received a €1000 grant, which she can use for research projects or attending academic conferences.