UHI Inverness lecturer celebrates teaching award and making waves off campus

UHI Inverness psychology lecturer Mari Todd has won an award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to online teaching, and is also making waves off campus.

Mari won the Most Engaging Online Delivery category in the 2025 HISA Awards. The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) Awards is an annual event which recognises the efforts of exceptional students and staff from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

The student-led awards celebrate staff and students who have gone above and beyond in their roles, providing inspiration and support to the UHI community. It allows students to express their gratitude to those who have significantly impacted their educational journey.

The students who nominated Mari said she truly deserved the recognition, and they wanted her to know her efforts had not gone unnoticed. They highlighted her cheery and enthusiastic nature, excellent communication, constructive feedback and the use of polls and breakout rooms.

Mari said: "I was absolutely delighted to receive the HISA Award for Most Engaging Online Lecturer from students this year. I really aim for moments of connection and meaning within the modules I teach, so that students complete the modules with something useful and meaningful to them, that they can take with them into their future lives and professional practice. This last year I was so lucky to have a cohort of students across different degree courses who were willing and able to work together, which was wonderful. I feel very privileged to be able to facilitate student learning. Working with students is always a partnership, and I try and support students through their learning, whilst accommodating the challenges life can throw at us.”

Mari’s talents also extend beyond academia, and she has recently celebrated personal achievements through her active endeavours.

“This last year was challenging for me as I was helping support my brother Joe through treatment for a rare form of cancer,” said Mari.

“This summer I was delighted to be able to race the Kentmere Horseshoe fell run in the Lake District alongside my brother as he regains his health and fitness."

Mari, who also teaches Sport Psychology, spent early July in Stranraer competing at the World Coastal Rowing Championships with her club, Avoch Community Rowing Club.

She began rowing when researching the health benefits of community rowing as part of her Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology. She has continued to row and has now extended her studies of community rowing into her current PhD studies.

This summer Mari and her crew qualified for all their finals and received a bronze medal in the mixed 40s category.

Mari is due to be presented with her HISA award at the UHI Inverness Graduation Ceremony on 31 October.

To read more about the HISA awards, including a full list of winners, click: UHI students and staff celebrated in the 2025 HISA Awards.