Why she was chosen
"Possibly some of the most challenging subjects for geology undergraduates, the courses Dunkel teaches are tackled with such mastery and enthusiasm that it easily rubs off on her students," states the student body's justification for the award.
They also highlight how Dunkel integrates theoretical and practical teaching to give students the best possible understanding of the subjects.
"Dunkel is an engaging and enthusiastic lecturer who employs various teaching methods. Additionally, she is approachable, helpful, and very quick to respond to queries.
Nice Surprise
“This is an incredibly pleasant surprise,” Dunkel tells Titan.uio.no.
“I love teaching, much more than I had anticipated before I started. But it does involve a lot of work, so it's very gratifying to feel that the students appreciate what I do,” she says.
“What do you think it is about your teaching that the students appreciate?”
“My teaching methods are actually quite traditional, but I always strive to develop them further. I could definitely incorporate more active teaching and learning methods. However, even a few brief breaks in a lecture, whether for questions, group exercises, or quizzes, can make the sessions less monotonous,” Dunkel explains.
Dunkel is a part of the Crustal Processes section at the Department of Geosciences and at the Njord Center. She researches microstructures in rocks and earthquakes in the deep crust. She mentions that she occasionally attempts to bring current research into the classroom, even though she primarily teaches at the undergraduate level.
“I don't think the students necessarily need to understand everything, but in this way, they see that the material they are learning can lead to some quite exciting theories or applications. It also makes it easier to convey my own enthusiasm for the field compared to when I only cover the basics,” says the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences’ Lecturer of the Year.
This is part of an interview published in Norwegian on Titan.uio.no. by Eivind Torgersen. You can read it in its entirety article here: Kristina Dunkel er årets foreleser - Titan.uio.no