The Oxford Department of International Development received a University Teaching Award on November 10 for a course it developed on designing and carrying out fieldwork in underdeveloped countries or areas in conflict.

The Fieldwork in Hot Places course, which ran for the first time in 2010-11, is open to doctoral and MPhil students across the Social Sciences Division.  It involves researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds sharing their experiences of conducting fieldwork in difficult circumstances.

The course was developed by Dr Xiaolan Fu and Professors Jocelyn Alexander, Stefan Dercon, Valpy FitzGerald and Ingrid Lunt. The award was presented to Dr Fu by Vice-Chancellor Andrew Hamilton at a ceremony at Convocation House.

The Teaching Awards scheme, which is coordinated by the Oxford Learning Institute, recognises excellence in college and University teaching, with the winners selected by their divisions or faculties.