Dr Amy Lawton Receives CEU’s 2025 European Award for Excellence in Teaching

Dr Amy Lawton, Senior Lecturer in Tax Law at Edinburgh Law School, has been awarded the 2025 European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities by Central European University (CEU).

The prestigious annual award, now in its fourteenth year, recognises outstanding teaching across Europe and is designed to celebrate educators who are making exceptional contributions to student learning. It is CEU’s highest teaching honour and is open to faculty members at any higher education institution in Europe.

The international panel selected her for the award due to her pioneering work in student-centred education and her commitment to socially engaged teaching. This can be seen in the Scottish Tax Clinic, which Dr Lawton founded in 2021. The Scottish Tax Clinic provides means-tested, free, confidential income tax advice to individuals based in Scotland. Each year 14 undergraduate students have the opportunity to work in the clinic, helping to strengthen the links between the classroom and society.

Dr Lawton said: “I am incredibly proud to receive the European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Diener Prize. I’ve always believed that universities occupy a unique place in society – they are not just centres of learning, but also platforms for change where we can make a real difference in the communities around us. Over the years, I have had the joy of teaching many students. Their achievements have been extraordinary, and truthfully, most of my own accomplishments would not have been possible without them. Their work, particularly in the Scottish Tax Clinic, has helped some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.”

Professor Jo Shaw, Head of Edinburgh Law School said: “Everyone in Edinburgh Law School is delighted about this well-deserved recognition that Amy has received for her work on the Scottish Tax Clinic. The Scottish Tax Clinic sets the standard for impactful clinical legal education work and I am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength in the coming years.”

Congratulations to Dr Lawton on this incredible achievement!

Learn more about Dr Lawton’s work

Edinburgh Law School – Dr Amy Lawton

Learn more about the CEU Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching

Central European University – Teaching Awards