Since joining the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies in 2019, Dr. Hardie Catherine Ellen has clearly demonstrated her steadfast commitment to student performance and development. She has managed to not only inspire her undergraduate and Research Postgraduate (RPg) students in the fields of religion and translation, but also has made significant contributions that extended well beyond the classroom.

The consistently high Course Feedback Questionnaire (CFQ) scores speak for Dr. Hardie’s teaching acumen. Her average score for Academic Year (AY) 2021-2022 was 4.85, which stands above the average for the Department as well as the Faculty of Arts. Her RPg Seminars continuously gained a full score of 5.00, with no individual scores falling below 4.55.

Student feedback indicates that Dr. Hardie strives to create an inclusive learning environment where students are encouraged to self-reflect and challenge themselves. In the classroom, she stimulates group discussions in diverse subject matters and gives personalized feedback in a timely manner. She is also known to respond promptly to student feedback and questions after class.

During one of her Religion and Translation courses, she successfully hosted a discussion between four key religious leaders from different faith traditions in Hong Kong, and led her students to interview a monk at a local Tibetan Buddhist association. These invaluable experiential learning events bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience.

In her role as RPg Coordinator, Dr. Hardie is solely responsible for administering the RPg Research Seminar, while playing a significant role in developing the Faculty of Arts’ new RPg Methodology course. She has also been instrumental in fostering relationships between BA and RPg students. One example of this is getting an RPg involved in her Introduction to Tibetan Culture and Language course so that they could gain unique teaching experience with every class they attended.

Indeed, Dr. Hardie is working closely with three PhD candidates as their Co-Supervisor. During their regular and fruitful discussions, she provides constructive feedback on their work after reviewing their drafts, making herself a supportive and engaging educator who is always available to her students.

In addition to providing students with rich learning experiences, Dr. Hardie has been a key driving force in curriculum development. She has successfully implemented two innovative undergraduate courses, namely “Religion and Translation Across Time and Space” and “Introduction to Tibetan Culture and Language”. In particular, the latter is well received by her students while carrying substantial weight in promoting intercultural diversity. Her proficiency in Tibetan has added considerable authenticity to the courses that she has created, making the overall learning experience more well-rounded and complete for her students.

Between organizing speaking engagements and chairing discussions with external parties, her commitment to serving her faculty and her students is truly an inspiration to all educators looking to make a difference. Considering Dr. Hardie's contributions to her faculty, coupled with her determination to increase intercultural community engagement in Hong Kong and beyond, her professional achievements have no doubt earned her selection as the Presidents' Award for Outstanding Performance in Early Career Teaching.