Media Release

Associate Professor Maree O'Keefe, winner of the 2007 Vice-Chancellor and President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Full Image (30.37K)

Tuesday, 4 December 2007

Associate Professor Maree O'Keefe from the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health has won the University of Adelaide's 2007 Vice-Chancellor and President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr O'Keefe, an Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) in the Faculty of Health Sciences, was selected from the pool of award winners of the Stephen Cole the Elder Awards.

"Throughout my teaching career I have been inspired by students who are committed to learn, not just for examinations, but for their entire professional careers," Associate Professor O'Keefe says.

"As an educator and practising paediatrician I have tried to develop a unique range of learning approaches and course content that place the experiences of the child and their family at the centre of student learning. I'm passionately committed to teaching excellence and feel greatly honoured to receive this award."

Up to four Stephen Cole the Elder Awards are awarded each year. This year, four undergraduate awards were presented: three for undergraduate teaching and one for team teaching.

The 2007 recipients are:

■ Dr Peter Devitt (Medicine) and Mr Edward Palmer (CLPD) - team teaching;
■ Associate Professor Maree O'Keefe (Paediatrics and Reproductive Health) - undergraduate teaching and Vice-Chancellor and President's Award;
■ Dr Shona Crabb (Psychology) - excellence in first five years of teaching;
■ Dr Tamath Rainsford (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) - excellence in first five years of teaching.

Two high commendations have also been awarded to:

■ Associate Professor Elizabeth Koch OAM (Elder Conservatorium of Music);
■ Associate Professor Amanda LeCouteur (Psychology).

Professor Martha Augoustinos (School of Psychology) was awarded the inaugural Award for Excellence in Higher Degree by Research Supervision. This is the first HDR award to be offered by the University for supervision and recognises the important contribution that supervisors make to the success of postgraduate students.

Professor Geoffrey Crisp, Associate Professor Mark Buntine and Mr Justin Read have all been awarded a 2007 Carrick Award for a collaborative university chemistry program that enhances learning. Members of the winning team included staff from the University of Adelaide, University of Sydney, Macquarie University and the University of Western Australia.

The University of Adelaide's premier teaching awards will be presented to academic staff at next month's graduation ceremonies.