Source: University of Otago
Professor Phil Bishop posthumously received the Dean’s Medal for Contribution to Supervision in recognition of his outstanding efforts in supporting Zoology and Ecology postgraduate students.
Professor Bishop passed away after a brief illness in January, 2021. His wife Debbie and their son Luke were present at the OUSA Supervisor of the Year awards ceremony, held at the Otago Business School in December, to receive the medal on his behalf.
Left to right: Steph (Luke’s partner), Luke Bishop, Debbie Bishop and Dean of the Graduate Research School Professor Rachel Spronken-Smith.
The awards are run jointly by OUSA and the Graduate Research School. All thesis candidates are asked to provide their nominations, and the awards are typically held in August. In 2021 there were more than 230 nominations, and the awards were held in December, delayed by COVID-19 restrictions. The awards have been running annually since 2003.
Affectionately known as Frogman, Professor Bishop started at the University of Otago in 1997 as a senior teaching fellow in Zoology. He nurtured his undergraduate students, inspiring many to continue to postgraduate study, and he became known for the exceptional support he gave to his postgraduate students.
One of his students said anonymously in their nomination that they were “lucky enough to be supervised by Professor Phil Bishop. The loss of Phil as a supervisor has been huge…. Unfortunately nothing can replace Phil’s passionate, enthusiastic, caring and supportive nature.“Phil really was one of the best supervisors and his kind, generous and friendly character is missed everyday.”
New Supervisor of the Year award winner Fairleigh Gilmour, on the left, and Overall Supervisor of the Year Dr Charlotte King.
Dr Charlotte King, of the Anatomy department, won the Overall Supervisor of the Year award, while Dr Fairleigh Gilmour, of the Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology departments, won the New Supervisor of the Year award.
Group photo of winners and finalists, back row, left to right: Dr Sean Connelly and Professor Peter Fineran. Mid row, left to right: Associate Professor Richard Linscott, Dr Will Rayment, Professor Stephen Cranefield, Associate Professor Christopher Brown and Dr Anne Ford. Front row, left to right: Associate Professor Lisa McNeil, Dr Fairleigh Gilmour, Dr Charlotte King, Dr Sherlock Licorish and Dr Anna Garden.
The Divisional winners and finalists were:
o Commerce: Divisional winner Dr Sherlock Licorish (Information Science), runners up Associate Professor Lisa McNeill (Marketing) and Professor Stephen Cranefield (Information Science)o Health Sciences: Divisional winner Dr Charlotte King (Anatomy),o runners up Associate Professor Christopher Brown (Biochemistry) and Professor Peter Fineran (Microbiology & Immunology)o Humanities: Divisional winner Fairleigh Gilmour (Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology), runners up Dr Sean Connelly (Geography) and Dr Anne Ford (Archaeology)o Sciences: Divisional winner Dr Anna Garden (Chemistry), runners up Dr Will Rayment (Marine Science) and Associate Professor Richard Linscott (Psychology)
