The Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) were established in 1997 by the Australian Government to celebrate and reward excellence in university teaching. Since then, with an honour roll that includes many highly respected and celebrated members of the sector, the Australian Awards for University Teaching have become a valued form of recognition for university educators Australia wide. The Awards recognise the impact that educators have on the learning and teaching experiences and outcomes of university students. They celebrate and reward programs that support students and enhance learning. They promote excellence in learning and teaching in all aspects of higher education. Recipients, with the support of their institutions, contribute to systemic change in learning and teaching through the ongoing sharing and dissemination of knowledge.
The AAUT Awards for Teaching Excellence recognise Australia’s most outstanding university teachers who have demonstrated excellent leadership through sustained commitment to innovation, delivery of quality teaching and sustained dedication to improving the student experience and learning outcomes in higher education.
See our previous AAUT award applicants and recipients talk about their teaching.
Eligibility
Eligibility
All nominations must relate to teaching activities in higher education and must be supported by the nominating institution. Nomination is open to individuals and teams with current teaching or teaching/research appointments (full-time or fractional, continuing or contract).
Teams
Team nominations can only include members with a contribution of 10 per cent or higher. This means the maximum number of team members is 10 either from the same institution or collaborating institutions. All members of the team must be employed by an eligible institution.
Past recipients
Past recipients of a Teaching or Program Award (including Carrick Award, ALTC Award or OLT Award) can only renominate if they form part of a team nomination and are not the lead nominee. The new nomination should not substantially replicate the original nomination.Early Career Teaching Award recipients are eligible for renomination in a different category five years after receiving the Early Career Award. Nomination or receipt of a Citation does not affect eligibility for a Teaching Award.
Nomination
Nominations
ANU may submit up to three Teaching Award nominations across all categories.
Nominees may be included in only one Teaching Award nomination in any year, except if a nominee forms part of a team nomination and is not the lead nominee.
Categories
Nominees must select the relevant teaching category below. The Teaching Award categories are:
- Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies - including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Medical Sciences and Nursing
- Early Career - for teachers with no more than five years' cumulative experience teaching in higher education institutions.
- Humanities and the Arts
- Law, Economics, Business and Related Studies
- Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education - individuals must demonstrate their contribution to Indigenous education. Indigenous and non- Indigenous teachers may nominate.
- Physical Sciences and Related Studies - including Architecture, Building and Planning, Engineering, Computing and Information Science
- Social and Behavioural Sciences - including Psychology and Education
It is anticipated that Teaching Awards will be distributed across the seven categories, although the pattern of distribution will ultimately be determined by the quality of nominations.
Maximum Submissions
- Eligible institutions can submit a maximum of three submissions made up of any combination of individual and team submissions with a maximum of two nominations in any category.
- Nominees may be included in only one Teaching Award nomination in any year, except if a nominee forms part of a team nomination and is not the lead nominee.
Application
Applications
- Nomination form
- Claims against Assessment Criteria, plus Synopsis, Overview, and References (8 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae (3 pages for individuals)
- Team Statement of contribution (1 page)
- Two Letters of Reference (1 page each)
- Supporting Materials (Up to 10 pages)
- Photograph
1. Nomination form |
The nomination form reports administrative information and includes a declaration from the nominee and institution. The form acts as a cover sheet for the nomination. The completed nomination must be signed by the Vice-Chancellor / Chief Executive Officer or their nominated delegate. |
2. Claims against assessment criteria |
This component is limited to eight A4 pages and describes the nominee’s teaching activities and achievements and must address all four assessment criteria, providing evidence to support claims. It should comprise the following elements presented in order: |
SynopsisUp to 200 words, which including a description of the nominee’s teaching area or discipline, teaching experience and teaching focus and methods. The synopsis must:
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OverviewAn overview of the nominee's teaching and its context. |
StatementStatement addressing the assessment criteria, include criterion headings, providing supporting evidence including impact on student learning. |
1. Approaches to teaching and the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
This may include:
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2. Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
This may include
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3. Evaluation practices that bring about improvements in teaching and learning.
Evaluation comprises making judgements about the quality of programs and activities that are part of the academic, cultural and social experience of higher education. This may include:
*Please note that evaluation practices do not include student assessment.
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4. Innovation, leadership or scholarship that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience.This may include:
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Evidencing your contribution
Reference listNominees should use their preferred recognised reference style throughout and include a reference list within the eight pages. Links to reference lists online will not be reviewed by assessors.
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3. Curriculum Vitae |
The curriculum vitae should outline the nominee’s educational qualifications, employment history, teaching positions and teaching experience. For individual nominations the curriculum vitae should be no longer than three A4 pages.
For team nominations:
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4. Statement of contribution (for team nominations) |
Team nominations must complete one A4 page that consists of the following:
Team nomination requirements are as follows:
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5. Letters of reference |
Two letters of reference, of no more than one A4 page each, are to be provided by referees able to comment on the contribution to student learning against the assessment criteria. References should demonstrate familiarity with the contribution and context, providing endorsement of the claims and additional evidence relating to context, merit and impact on students. Where possible, at least one referee should be qualified to comment on the broader impact of nominee’s contribution based on relevant professional or personal expertise and standing.
References should:
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6. Supporting materials |
Supporting materials should illustrate and provide evidence of claims made against the selection criteria. Please do not include any additional information or use as an extension of the page limit.
Nominees can choose to submit up to two of the following supporting materials:
The relevance of all material must be made clear in the written component. Supporting materials should be clearly labelled and are the last component of the combined nomination file.
Supporting materials (including websites) should remain accessible throughout the assessment process, beyond the submission date. Supporting materials should not include a login and password to access the material.
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7. Digital photograph |
A formal digital photograph of the individual nominee or team must be submitted with each nomination, in line with the following specifications:
If the nomination is successful, digital photographs are used for publication purposes, including the awards booklets, the department’s website and other promotional materials. The photographs should therefore be of the best possible quality and include all members of a team nomination. Low quality photographs will not be accepted. Where possible, the Promoting Excellence team will arrange for the photo to be taken by ANU Photography.
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SubmissionApplications will be submitted to the Awards Portal by the AAUT Institutional Contact Officer in ANU by 10 December 2018. |
Assessment
Assessment
All nominations will be assessed on the evidence provided in response to these assessment criteria:
- Approaches to teaching and the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
- Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field of study.
- Evaluation practices that bring about improvements in teaching and learning.
- Innovation, leadership or scholarship that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience.
Assessment will also be based on the extent to which nominees show evidence that their contribution has:
- Influenced student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience
- Gained recognition from fellow staff, the institution, and/or the broader community
- Been sustained for a period of no less than three years, not including time taken for development or trial of any activity.
- Claims for excellence that are supported by formal and informal evaluation
- Shown creativity, imagination or innovation, irrespective of whether the approach involves traditional learning environments or technology-based developments
- Information contained in student data or institutional student surveys, references, and selected teaching materials submitted by the nominee
Conditions
Awards money
The Award monies are granted and disbursed to the recipient’s institution to be spent within three years to:
- provide resources to support the award recipient’s teaching or activities related to the award
- assist the individual or team to disseminate and embed good practice in learning and teaching within their institution and across the sector more broadly.
The award money is intended to be used to build on the success of the work that the recipient has been recognised for. The expenditure should contribute to improving the teaching and learning outcomes in Australian higher education.