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Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience awarded Prestigious Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment DELTA Award.

21 Apr 2026

ÍíÉϸ£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Cork is celebrating the success of the Anatomy and Neuroscience teaching team. Led by Dr Mutahira Lone, the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience have been awarded the Higher Education Authority's prestigious Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment DELTA Award. This award marks a significant milestone for the Department and reaffirms its ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching and learning at UCC.

This national award recognises departments that demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning, innovation in educational practice, and a strong commitment to enhancing the student experience and fostering belonging within higher education.

Photo: Left-right: Professor Paul McSweeney, Vice-President, Learning and Teaching UCC; President of UCC Professor John O’Halloran, Dr Mutahira Lone DELTA team leader, Dr André Toulouse, Senior Lecturer, Professor Gerard O’Keeffe, Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience.

UCC President Professor John O’Halloran, and Professor Paul McSweeney Vice-President, Learning and Teaching, UCC, met with Dr Mutahira Lone DELTA team leader, Dr André Toulouse, Professor Gerard O’Keeffe, Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience to congratulate the team on their successful DELTA award.

The award reflects the department’s sustained efforts to create an inclusive, student-centred learning environment, underpinned by collaboration, pedagogical innovation, and evidence-informed practice. It also recognises the collective contribution of academic staff, professional services colleagues, and students who have worked together to strengthen teaching, learning, and community within the department.

Photo: Anatomy and Neuroscience DELTA Team staff and student members 

The DELTA review panel commended the team for their strong application. Commenting that the ‘panel was impressed by the strong teaching and learning culture you have cultivated. Your commitment to pedagogy, including the principles of Teaching for Understanding and Universal Design for Learning, is clearly evident. The inclusive and collaborative ethos across students, lecturers, and professors is impressive. Your achievements reflect the strength of your department’.

Photo: Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Delta Award team meeting

Dr Mutahira Lone, DELTA Lead and Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to receive the DELTA Award. This achievement reflects the incredible commitment, passion, and teamwork of our staff and students, who continuously strive to create an engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. The DELTA process has been an immensely valuable journey, not only in recognising our strengths but also in helping us develop a clear roadmap for continued enhancement over the next three years’.

Over the past few years, the Anatomy and Neuroscience team has transformed learning experiences through innovative pedagogies, including 3D-printed models, interactive digital resources, flexible assessments, and research-based teaching practices. Student partners have played a central role in shaping these developments, co-writing learning materials, conducting scholarship projects, and evaluating new teaching approaches.

Professor Gerard O'Keeffe, Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, congratulated the team, adding that "The DELTA award evidences our commitment to pedagogical innovation and universal design for learning.  I am very grateful to all our staff who work to ensure all our students from across UCC have an outstanding experience in the anatomical sciences and neuroscience in this institution."

The DELTA Award will support the team in implementing their updated Action Plan, which includes further embedding partnership principles, expanding staff capacity-building initiatives, and developing new cross-disciplinary collaborations to enhance learning across the health professions.

This achievement reinforces UCC’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning and showcases the transformative impact of partnership-driven innovation on the student experience.

The Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience extends its sincere thanks to the National Forum and the Higher Education Authority for this important recognition.

LINKS:

• HEA National Forum Teaching and Learning:  
• UCC Workvivo  

About DELTA Award and HEA National Forum T&L

• HEA National Forum: Teaching and Learning 

See photo gallery of DELTA Awards Ceremony