Southern Regional College Lecturer Shortlisted for Lecturer of the Year Award
16th Sep 2025
Part-time tourism lecturer Kieran Swail has been named as a finalist in the Institute of Hospitality Northern Ireland Awards for Professionalism. Kieran is one of four finalists in the running to be named as ‘Lecturer of the Year’ at this year’s awards ceremony to be held on Friday 26th September at the Culloden Estate & Spa.
For more than 20 years, Kieran has moved between lecturing and industry, but this year marks the very first time his work has been recognised with a nomination for this prestigious award. His career has been anything but ordinary: from selling corporate, educational, and winter sports tours as a travel consultant, to managing pubs in the hospitality sector, and now driving innovation in travel as an Innovation and Technology Specialist at Southern Regional College. Yet, no matter where his path has taken him, one thing has remained constant, his love of travel. That passion not only fuels his own adventures to new countries but also inspires his students to see the world as full of opportunities.
As part of the shortlisting process, Kieran was interviewed about his teaching style and the ways he connects with students. While he makes strong use of audio and visual learning techniques, he believes teaching goes far beyond simply delivering the curriculum. For Kieran, lecturing is a multi-faceted role, one that’s as much about inspiring, guiding, and supporting students as it is about covering the course content.
“As a lecturer, you walk into every room knowing your students bring their own lives, challenges, and distractions with them. It’s not about standing at the front and projecting loudly; it’s about finding the right way to connect. That means adapting your approach, drawing on coaching and mentoring as much as teaching.”
“The same skills I use working with businesses apply to guiding 17-year-olds, because learning doesn’t click for everyone in the same way. It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them move forward. That’s part of why I enjoy teaching in further education so much.”
Given his love for travelling, Kieran has beaten a well-travelled path throughout Europe and Canada. Whilst Kieran is keen to revisit these areas, countries that remain on his bucket list include Colombia, New Zealand and Egypt together with expanding student’s horizons.
Michelle Moore, Curriculum Area Manager at Southern Regional College commented:
“We are delighted to see Kieran shortlisted for ‘Lecturer of the Year’ at this year’s Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism. Kieran is well known for his enthusiasm and passion for the Hospitality and Tourism industry, and he is always keen to share this with students and colleagues. Kieran has a wealth of knowledge and is a very dedicated staff member at SRC, and a truly deserving recipient of this recognition. The Hospitality and Tourism team at SRC wish Kieran the very best of luck at this year’s final.”
