Hi all, It is my great pleasure to let you know that the 2021-2022 Siegel Teaching Prize winner is Rijul Kochhar. The Siegel Teaching Prize was established 16 years ago to recognize HASTS graduate students who have excelled in their commitment to and performance in MIT’s undergraduate teaching program.
The prize committee, Sherry Turkle and Chakanetsa Mavhunga, prepared the following prize citation: “The 2021-2022 Siegel Teaching Prize is awarded to Rijul Kochhar for his exceptional contribution to STS 21A.500/STS.075 “Technology and Culture” offered in Fall 2021, taught by Professor Stefan Helmreich. This subject examines relationships among technology, culture, and politics in a range of social and historical settings. In Fall 2021, Helmreich and Kochhar worked with 56 enrolled students during the first on-campus semester since the Covid outbreak. Students and faculty needed to find new rhythms after a period of considerable anomie and alienation. Working together, they developed a hybrid teaching method involving in-class lectures, outdoor meetings before and after lectures, and online conversations. Kochhar used Slack to respond to student questions and to guide class time and outdoor discussions. Professor Helmreich praises Kochhar as “a model of rigor and generosity,” with a presence both “vital and affirming” to students. Kochhar, says Helmreich was as good at listening as he was at gentle “prompting and questioning.” And Kochhar did more than carry the standard administrative burden. He also checked in on students who began to miss class to make sure there was nothing amiss. It was a stressful semester. Kochhar rose to the occasion with competence and grace. Students’ subject evaluations reflect their appreciation of Kochhar’s knowledge and support. He received a 6.7 overall rating. Their support was expressed in their comments about their teacher: “Rijul helped keep discussions moving on an interesting track, and he did a great job of encouraging students to participate too,” and “Rijul always shared such profound insights.” Rijul Kochhar richly deserves the 2021-2022 Siegel Teaching Prize “for excellence in teaching that both instructs and inspires.”” Please join me in congratulating Rijul for this wonderful and much deserved honor. I am also grateful to Sherry and Chakanetsa for serving on the prize committee. best, Deborah Deborah Fitzgerald Leverett Howell and William King Cutten Professor of the History of Technology Head, Program in Science, Technology, and Society MIT, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Bldg. E51-296A Cambridge, MA 02139 dkf...@mit.edu<mailto:dkf...@mit.edu>
_______________________________________________ Sci-tech-public mailing list Sci-tech-public@mit.edu https://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/sci-tech-public
