Exciting news – the Playful Learning Association has won a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE). This is a real honour for us all as a group, recognising the difference our work makes. And you are all a part of it.
This award recognises the significant contributions of the Playful Learning Association through the annual Playful Learning Conference, publishing the Journal of Play in Adulthood, providing an online support network including a Jiscmail list, and hosting regular meetings and events. These activities provide an ecosystem for our 500+ members to share and support playful learning practices, empowering educators and researchers globally and shows how far we have come from our early days back in 2010.
Katie Piatt, co-chair of the PLA, expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am incredibly honoured and pleased to receive the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE). This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our cross-institutional team, whose collective efforts have made this achievement possible. The award underscores the power of collaboration. It is a proud moment, demonstrating the impact of our collaborative efforts on enhancing student experiences and academic success.”
Andy Walsh, co-chair, says, “This award helps to show how valuable it is to centre elements like playfulness, joy, experimentation, silliness, compassion, openness and collaboration in our work. The types of things that aren’t caught directly in league tables or performance reviews, but make such a difference to our practice, to our students and colleagues. I’d encourage anyone interested in playful practice to join us, whether you’re happiest lurking on our mailing list or doing playful things in person at an event or conference.”
Core team:
left -> right
Dr Katie Piatt from University of Sussex
Prof Nic Whitton from Northumbria University
Dr Giskin Day from Imperial College London
Dr Alex Moseley from Anglia Ruskin University
Dr John Lean from Manchester Metropolitan University
Rosie Jones from Teeside University
top -> bottom
James Charnock from Manchester Metropolitan University
Andrew Walsh (Independent)
Prof Mark Langan from Manchester Metropolitan University
Of course there is a much larger extended team across our 500+ members and we couldn’t namecheck everyone who has played a part in this! Many thanks to all of you.