Dr Margarita Vaysman awarded the Distinguished Excellence in Teaching Prize

Dr Margarita Vaysman has been awarded the Distinguished Excellence in Teaching Prize by the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies. The prize, awarded annually, recognises established academics who have contributed to the positive learning experience of students in the fields of Slavonic, East European and Eurasian Studies across their career. 

In her position as Tutorial Fellow in Russian and Associate Professor of Russophone Literature, Thought and Culture at New College, Margarita teaches most Russian undergraduate literature papers, specifically focusing on the nineteenth century, gender, history of ideas and Russophone cultures. 

The judging panel was impressed by Dr Vaysman’s pedagogical approach, characterised by remarkable coherence, intellectual ambition, and sustained student-centred innovation. The panel noted that Dr Vaysman demonstrates a clearly articulated teaching philosophy, combined with a rigorous methodology that fosters critical reflection, inclusive dialogue, and active student participation. Particularly notable is Dr Vaysman’s transformative reconceptualisation of literary and cultural canons, enabling students to interrogate and expand inherited frameworks.

The panel further commended Dr Vaysman’s exceptional quality of teaching materials and module design, which promote both precise contextualisation and open-ended inquiry. This is complemented by a strong commitment to inclusivity in both content and pedagogy, as well as meaningful engagement in wider networks supporting the study of Russophone literatures and cultures. Student feedback attests to the profound intellectual and personal impact of Dr Vaysman’s teaching.

Read more about the BASEES Teaching Excellence prizes here