Teaching Excellence Awards

Eligibility Open to individuals and teams. Currently employed full or part-time academic staff of the University who have worked at the University for a minimum of one year are eligible for individual nomination, or as leaders of team nominations. For team nominations, staff who do not satisfy these eligibility criteria, but whose contribution to the Award initiative is to be acknowledged, may be included as members of a team nomination.

Selection criteria Nominees for Excellence in Teaching Awards respond to ALL FOUR selection criteria in the Excellence in Teaching nomination form:

1. Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn
2. Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field
3. Effective assessment practices that bring about improvements in student learning, may have a focus on academic integrity or digital solutions, or any assessment strategies that bring about change
4. Innovation or leadership that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or student experience

Assessment criteria The four criteria will be given equal consideration by the Awards Panel. In assessing nominations against the four criteria, the Panel will take into account the degree to which the application has:

1. Positively impacted on student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience for a period of no less than three years.
2. Gained recognition from colleagues, the institution, and/or the broader community.
3. Shown creativity, imagination and/or innovation.
4. Drawn on the scholarly literature on teaching and learning to inform the development of initiatives, programs and/or practice.

Focus Areas - Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Excellence in Teaching Awards will be awarded in the following four focus areas:

1. Excellence in Teaching
2. Excellence in Teaching – Partnerships
3. Excellence in Teaching – Education for Sustainability
4. Excellence in Teaching – Early Career Academic

There is also a new category:

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic - Excellence in Indigenous Teaching

Where an award is not provided for a particular focus area, the award may be provided to an alternate focus area.

Important Dates:

• Nominations Open: Monday 29 August
• Nominations Close: Monday 3 October
• Awards Panels Meet: 17-21 October
• Awards Ceremony: Thursday 8 December

What you need to do now

• Review the Learning and Teaching Award Guidelines (PDF, 295.46 KB)(opens in a new window);
• Download the Excellence Award Checklist (PDF, 884.7 KB)(opens in a new window);
• Review the Excellence Awards Policy(opens in a new window) and the Excellence Awards Procedures(opens in a new window) (specifically clauses 52-64 for teaching awards procedures and clauses 65-71 for the nomination process);
• Consult with your Dean (you will need their endorsement in the application);
• Reach out to your referees (you will need at least two, maximum six);
• Start gathering your evidence!

Submit your application below:

Vice Chancellor's Excellence Awards Submission Portal(opens in a new window)

Enquiries
All enquiries about the submission application process and resources should be directed to LearningFutures@westernsydney.edu.au .