Teaching Awards

The University of Adelaide Beacon Commendations for the Enhancement and Innovation of Student Learning recognise the diverse range of activities, services and programs that contribute to student learning and engagement at the University of Adelaide, and the important role that staff from all areas of the University have in supporting us to achieve our strategic goals in learning and teaching.

In 2017, up to nine Beacon Commendations of $2000 will be awarded, comprising up to 5 Commendations in the DVCA-funded Categories, and up to 4 Commendations in the Sponsored Categories.

DVCA-funded Categories

• Enhancing student learning through Small Group Discovery Experiences
• Developing students as global citizens
• Developing career-ready graduates
• Engaging students as partners and co-creators
• Effective and innovative use of learning technologies
• Developing coursework students as researchers
• Using effective and innovative assessment and feedback practices
• Supporting students in successful transitions
• Effective and innovative use of analytics and evaluation to inform teaching practice
• Enhancing Indigenous knowledges

Sponsored Categories

• Supporting diversity and implementing inclusive practices
  • Sponsored by the Gender Equity and Diversity Committee and Counselling and Disability Service.
• Implementing effective HDR Supervisory Practices
  • Sponsored by the Adelaide Graduate Centre.
• Supporting and encouraging colleagues in their teaching
  • Sponsored by the University of Adelaide Communities of Practice.

The Stephen Cole the Elder Awards for Excellence are the University of Adelaide’s premier learning and teaching awards. They recognise the contributions made to student learning by both academic and professional staff, and reward the University’s highest achievers in teaching, support of teaching, and supervisory practices.

The Stephen Cole the Elder Awards were established through bequest made to the University of Adelaide by a descendant of Stephen Cole the Elder, pioneer South Australian colonist. The Stephen Cole the Elder Awards were first presented in 1991.

Up to four Stephen Cole the Elder Awards for Excellence will be offered in 2017, and recipients will be awarded $8000. All applications must be supported by a formal nomination. Both individuals and teams may be nominated in any category. The three categories of award are:

• Excellence in Teaching and Support for Learning
• Excellence in the Leadership, Support and Enhancement of Teaching Practice
• Excellence in HDR Supervisory Practice

It is anticipated that at least one award will be made in each of the three categories; however, the Selection Panel reserves the right to award in fewer in than three categories should the selection criteria not be met.

Each year, one application may also be selected to receive the Vice-Chancellor and President’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, and will receive an additional $2000 in prize money. 

"Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning recognise and reward the diverse contributions made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning. Citations are awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the quality of student learning in a specific area of responsibility over a sustained period, whether they are academic staff, general staff, sessional staff or institutional associates. Citations provide an opportunity for distinctive institutional missions, values and priorities in learning and teaching to be recognised. Citations are awarded for a range of contributions to student learning, both direct and indirect.

Up to 150 Citations, including the Early Career category, with prize value of $10,000 each are available in 2016." (OLT website)

Citation Deadlines

OLT Citation selection is a two-stage process. Applications must first be submitted to a University selection panel, who will then select up to six applications to send to the OLT for consideration. For this reason, it is important that you pay close attention to the following timetable if you wish to submit a Citation application.

• 2014 Information Session (PPT)

"Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning recognise learning and teaching support programs and services that make an outstanding contribution to the quality of student learning and the quality of the student experience of higher education. The programs and services that receive Program Awards must have demonstrated their effectiveness through rigorous evaluation and will set benchmarks for similar activities in other institutions.

The seven categories for Programs that Enhance Learning are:

• Widening participation
• Educational partnerships and collaborations with other organisations
• Innovation and flexibility in curricula, learning and teaching
• Postgraduate education
• Student experiences and services supporting learning, development and growth in higher education
• Global citizenship and internationalisation

Up to 12 Awards with a prize value of $25,000 each will be granted across the six categories in 2015." (OLT website)

OLT Closing Date - Thursday 7 July*

*Please email the Teaching Excellence Support Officer or telephone 8313 4862 for details about internal application processes and deadlines.

"Teaching Awards celebrate a group of the nation's most outstanding university teachers in their fields. Teaching Awards give recognition to teachers (individuals and teams) renowned for the excellence of their teaching, who have outstanding presentation skills and who have made a broad and deep contribution to enhancing the quality of learning and teaching in higher education.

The eight categories of Awards for Teaching Excellence are:

• Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies (including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Medicine, Nursing etc)
• Humanities and the Arts
• Law, Economics, Business and Related Studies
• Social Sciences (including Education)
• Neville Bonner Award/s for Indigenous Education
• Physical Sciences and Related Studies (including Architecture, Building and Planning, Engineering, Computing and Information Science)
• Early Career
• Priority Area for 2015 is: High impact intervention for progression, retention and attainment.

Up to 16 Awards each with a value of $25,000 will be granted across the eight categories in 2015." (OLT website)

OLT Closing Date - Thursday 7 July*

*Please email the Teaching Excellence Support Officer or telephone 8313 4862 for details about internal application processes and deadlines.