Ben Elton remembers his father | University of Surrey

Ben Elton is the multi-talented master of British comedy. But he’s not the only brilliant Elton to forge a successful career in the art of communication, albeit for an entirely different audience. Here, he tells us about his late father’s lasting impact on education. “I was about 15 when my dad took the brave decision to switch from teaching physics to pioneer a whole new subject – education. Instead of focusing on what we learn, he wanted to investigate how we learn” explains Ben. Professor Elton’s career started at Battersea Polytechnic, but then relocated to Guildford with the transition of the Polytechnic to the University of Surrey. During his tenure at Surrey, he asked the vice-chancellor if he could shift the focus of his research to improving teaching and learning in universities, and he agreed.

As a result, Professor Lewis Elton (1923-2018) founded the Institute of Educational Technology in 1967. The first of its kind, he was somewhat of a pioneer. “I remember him telling me that while it takes three years to train as a primary school teacher, to teach an undergraduate you only need to graduate.” Ben says. He also recalls how teaching was in Lewis’s blood. His father and brothers taught, and he married a teacher. 

“He was passionate about communication and wanted to help people make themselves understood, so that they could help others understand.”

Professor Elton was an innovator in the professional development of university teachers, and he continually revolutionised and researched his own teaching and encouraged others to do likewise. The Institute became internationally renowned. And as testament to that, some of his research students have gone on to become some of the most eminent scholars in contemporary higher education.

Now known as the Department of Higher Education at Surrey, the school champions Professor Elton’s ethos by supporting and promoting excellence in learning and teaching. Using a research-led and evidence-based approach, the department enhances learning and teaching across the disciplines. It provides academic leadership and gives direction to the continued professional development of practising university teachers. And his philosophy is one that has been adopted by many universities all over the world.

The school is now headed up by Dr Naomi Winstone, a Surrey graduate and leading light in the field of further education herself. She was awarded the National Teaching Fellowship for excellence in teaching in 2016. Dr Winstone says “We are profoundly grateful to Professor Elton for his work in further education. We wanted to recognise his contribution towards higher education with a formal award.”

The Lewis Elton Award for Educational Innovation is a fitting tribute, recognising a commitment to experimentation and innovation in learning and teaching, seeking to reward educational enhancement beyond traditional measures of ‘excellence’. The award is be given to a graduate of the Certificate in Learning and Teaching who demonstrates a willingness to innovate and challenge teaching practices, and a commitment to invest in the development of their educational practice. Due to a generous donation by Ben in memory of his father, a financial award is also given to the recipient to further their development as a teacher