Dr Simon Penn wins Outstanding Post Graduate Researcher at The Open University Research Excellence Awards

Dr Simon Penn is the winner of the Outstanding Post Graduate Researcher category at the Open University’s 2024 Research Excellence Awards for his exceptional research into supporting student feedback in a distance learning environment. The awards serve as a celebration of outstanding achievements in research from across the university.

Simon’s research, which he defended as part of his thesis, addresses the use of screencast feedback as part of the marking process. Screencasting is an alternative method of delivering feedback where students receive a video and audio recording of a tutor’s onscreen actions and spoken comments.

The judges of the awards appreciated how Simon’s research reinforces the delivery of high quality education, which they felt aligned strongly with the objectives of the Open University. Simon’s research proves that screencast feedback goes beyond typical electronic written text feedback by being easier to understand and giving tutors the opportunity to provide more comprehensive, supportive and conversational feedback. This innovation has been adopted and implemented by tutors across the Open University.

Before joining The Open University in 2013, Simon honed his expertise in exercise and conditioning as a Physical Training Instructor with the Royal Air Force and as a lecturer at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. After starting as a tutor at The Open University, he transitioned to a full-time academic role in 2018. In addition to his research into screencasting, Simon is a recognised expert in exercise prescription and physiology and has extensive experience as a senior lecturer in Sport, Fitness, and Coaching.

Simon is currently the Module Team Chair for the ‘Working with people in sport and fitness’ module which develops the personal skills of practitioners who work in sports and fitness. Simon is currently writing two papers up to publish findings of his doctoral research, and he will be expanding his work by looking into feedback literacy.

On winning his award Simon said: “It is great to be rewarded for the endeavour of my doctorate, successfully defending my thesis with no corrections, and my research over the last year. I couldn’t have done all of this without the support of my supervisors, colleagues, and family.”

Simon will receive his award at the Research Excellence Awards on 12 September in Milton Keynes. The event recognises successes in the university’s research environment and will be part of a broader exhibition and celebration of OU research.

Watch the video to learn more about Simon: