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Dr Stefano Sandrone has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship by AdvanceHE.

In August 2025, , Principal Teaching Fellow in the Department of Brain Sciences (Faculty of Medicine), was among 61 educators awarded the National Teaching Fellowship by Advance HE – the UK's most prestigious teaching excellence award.

Chair of the Teaching Excellence Awards Panel, Professor Becky Huxley-Binns, explained that the awards celebrate educators who don't just deliver knowledge, but "transform lives, inspire futures, and demonstrate that, even in uncertain times, educational excellence not only endures but flourishes".

In this article, we explore Dr Sandrone's work through the testimonies of his colleagues and former students.

From Milan to London

"Dr Sandrone exemplifies the values we champion – curiosity, rigour, and care – and his success underscores 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ as a global leader in teaching and learning", Professor Alan Spivey, Vice-Provost (Education and Student Experience), comments on this achievement.

Dr Sandrone is delighted with the fellowship, especially since it's the fourth major, career-defining award he has received in the past 18 months. "I am truly grateful to Advance HE for recognising me as a National Teaching Fellow. These awards make me reflect on how far I have come since my first steps into neuroscience as a student in Milan: it has been, and continues to be, an extraordinary journey", he recalled.

The Italian neuroscientist is an alumnus of Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan, and he joined 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ in 2018. He is the co-director of the MRes Experimental Neuroscience and the MSc Translational Neuroscience at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ. Dr Sandrone is also a Senior Tutor and Welfare Tutor, holding teaching responsibilities and leadership roles at the Departmental, Faculty, and College levels.

Dr Sandrone has published three books, including Nobel Life: Conversations with 24 Nobel Laureates on their life stories, advice for future generations, and what remains to be discovered (Cambridge University Press). He is also the author or co-author of over 70 scientific publications.

Transformative teaching, global connections

The awarded educator has transformed students' learning experiences through innovative teaching methods, including active learning, flipped classrooms, virtual reality, and the metaverse. His work also explores identity development and the study of emotions and feelings across various career stages.

"What stood out to me most about Stefano's educational innovations is how he constantly found new ways to connect people and ideas", said Dr Carolina (Lena) Beppi, 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ alumna and one of Dr Sandrone's former students.

She highlighted a range of Dr Sandrone's engaging learning innovations, including digital platforms where students could interview global leading scientists. Students we reached out to also emphasised his ability to nurture their curiosity and inspire personal growth.

"I found Stefano's teaching style unique and engaging because he included everyone in the conversation and made us feel heard", recalls former student Dana Aljarrah. "He would always ensure people could ask questions, and he encouraged participation across the entire lecture theatre", claims another former student, Sankeith Kirubakaran.

"His pioneering teaching methods, commitment to inclusive learning, and passion for mentoring have enriched the academic journey for students and inspired colleagues across 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ and beyond", Professor Spivey summarised Stefano's achievement.

Beyond 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ

Dr Sandrone's students also emphasised that he encourages them to pursue excellence in "whatever they do", not only within the lecture theatre.

As Dr Beppi said, "He also taught us the importance of recognising our own weaknesses and learning from them to keep improving. His mentorship helped me become more self-aware and confident in my academic and personal journey, inspiring me to take ownership of my growth."

"His enthusiasm is contagious, emphasised Professor Paolo Muraro, Professor of Neurology, Neuroimmunology and Immunotherapy at 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ. "He combines exceptional talent with an unwavering commitment to excellence and fairness," he added.

"Receiving a National Teaching Fellowship opens substantive opportunities: It broadens professional networks across the sector, leads to invitations to collaborate on cross-institutional projects, and amplifies one's capacity to advocate for evidence-informed teaching across university governance", said Dr Sophie Rutschmann, a fellow 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ educator who was awarded the Fellowship in 2024.

The awarded educationalist has previously won the 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ's Julia Higgins Award for his efforts in teaching to promote the contributions of women academics in STEM and was awarded the President's Award for Excellence in Education for supporting the students' experiences.

Dr Sandrone notes that he looks to the future with enthusiasm and hope: "I look forward to continuing to shape the future of neuroscience and neurology education, both locally and globally, with the same energy, enthusiasm and commitment as always".

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