Transformative teaching was celebrated at the recent Vice-Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching Awards.

“The Awards celebrate success and excellence amongst staff, as they provide an inspiring educational experience for our student cohort,” said Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Professor Sherman Young.

Speaking on behalf of the award winners, Jennifer McPherson from the Department of Marketing and Management said it was a pleasure to share the evening with such a distinguished group.

“Engaging students in transformative learning is part of our purpose,” she said, “and the awards support this culture of transformative learning among staff, which makes for a strong foundation for transforming student lives.”

“As a sessional staff member it was really good to have the chance to share my approach to teaching with colleagues,” added Jennifer. “It’s also motivated me to go further in researching my teaching.”

The winners:

The Office for Learning and Teaching Citation Awards

Dr Diane Hughes
For outstanding contribution to facilitating student engagement and learning through the design of innovative contemporary music curricula.

“The process gave me the chance to reflect, document and write about my teaching practice, philosophy and curriculum development”

Dr Jane Messer
For support of student engagement with graduate capabilities through the design of an innovative curriculum and resources that promote student motivation, resourcefulness and creativity.

“The award process encouraged her to continue to be bold, to experiment and plan for new learning and teaching projects”

Read more about Dr Hughes and Dr Messer.

Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Dr Ian Collinson
For excellence in teaching that inspires students to engage with theoretical knowledge, critical practice, and authentic learning.

“The award invites everyone, not just applicants, to reflect on what constitutes good teaching, and that teaching remains central to university life. They make good teaching public.”

Dr Joseph Macri
For innovative student-centred learning and teaching, with a passion and enthusiasm that inspires students, to embrace the relevance of economics in solving real-world problems.

“The award application process helped me articulate and reflect on the importance of good quality teaching on learning and reinforces the influence it has on students”

Jennifer McPherson
For engaging a diverse group of students in transformative, enquiry-driven learning, about theory and practice of higher education, while building skills for professional practice.

Dr Troy Sarina
For designing and implementing learning and assessment activities, that prepares students for a productive, professional and civil life through the development of life skills.

Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning

Faculty of Business and Economics First STEP Mentoring program
Vanessa Cornelius
Student interns: Bernice Kwok, Boris Lee, Divij Mehra, Aram Mikaelian, Yamuna Sapkota, Megan Siew, and Eliza Souter.

“The application process was an opportunity to reconnect with former student participants and academic mentors and learn about what it meant to them being involved with the program,” said Vanessa.

Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) Ethics Protocol working party
Dr Michaela Baker, Alison Beale, Erin Corderoy, Laura Hammersley, Dr Kate Lloyd, Dr Kath McLachlan, Sian Paine, Dr Anne-Louise Semple and Dr Karolyn White.

“The award means recognition for the innovative work the party has done and the impact on it has on students,” said Michaela.

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision

Professor Lyndsey Nickels
Vice-Chancellor’s University Award Winner Department of Cognitive Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences.

“The award came as a surprise because I thought my philosophy and practice of research supervision was not so remarkable. It’s a great validation of the work that’s gone into getting the IDEALAB joint doctorate up and running. It’s been a team effort so that portion of the award should be shared.”

Associate Professor Maria Dyball
Vice-Chancellor’s Faculty Award Winner Department of Business and Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics.

“The award is recognition of what academics should equally do well alongside research, which is to educate and help cultivate the next generation.”

Dr Catherine Simpson
Vice-Chancellor’s Faculty Award Winner Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Arts.

Associate Professor Yan Wang
Vice-Chancellor’s Faculty Award Winner Department of Computing, Faculty of Science.

Congratulations to all of our winners.