A UNIVERSITY lecturer has followed in his wife's footsteps after being awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for his inspiring teaching.

Alan Walker-Gleaves, of the University of Sunderland, will receive £50,000 for a pioneering project to help both teachers and students in higher education.

His wife, Caroline, who also works at Sunderland, received her fellowship award in 2001.

The senior lecturer in ICT education, along with fellow Sunderland academic Professor Barrie Thompson, were two of 50 lecturers chosen from 187 nominations.

Mr Walker-Gleaves will use the money to design an on-line website allowing students and lecturers to reflect on teaching and learning within higher education.

The website will also be for young people in deprived areas to read about the experiences of others from their own community, and beyond, who have been successful scholars.

He said: "I am really thrilled about the award. It reflects the high level of work the team has put in."

Mr Thompson, a professor in applied software engineering, received his award in the experienced staff category. His project will develop guidelines and recommendations to identify proven industry-related best practices into both undergraduate and postgraduate computing curricula.