Commendations for the Enhancement of and Innovation in Student Learning

The Commendations for the Enhancement of and Innovation in Student Learning awards recognise the diverse range of activities, services and programs that contribute to student learning and engagement at the University of Adelaide. 

They serve to highlight the important role that staff from all areas of the University have in supporting us to achieve our strategic goals.

New process: the Intention to Apply online form is now open.

Key steps to a Commendations Application:

All enquiries can be directed to the Teaching Excellence Team.

 

Key dates for the 2025 awards program

Date Activity Details
Thu 27 Feb Information session via Zoom

12:00pm - 1:00pm (view the recording here)
Tues 29 Apr Intention to apply opens Submit via online form
Fri 01 Aug Intention to apply closes Due by 9am
Mon 4 Aug Applications open Submit via online form
Fri 08 Aug  Application Writing Workshop  10:00am - 12:00pm. Registrations now open.
Tue 23 Sep  Applications close Due by 9am
Thu 13 Nov Celebration of Learning and Teaching  Teaching Awards Ceremony. Registration opens in October

  • Eligibility
    • Applications are invited from academic and professional staff, from all Faculties and Divisions of the University. Both individual and team applications are encouraged.
    • Applicants may only apply for one Commendation in any year, in any category. This includes team applications (i.e. an applicant must only be a member of one team and cannot apply as a member of a team and as an individual in the same year).
    • Applicants who have previously received a Commendation or a Stephen Cole the Elder for Excellence Award are eligible to apply for a Commendation two years after receiving the Commendation or Award. For team submissions, this includes any member of a winning team application who has contributed more than 40% towards the winning application.
    • Should an applicant apply for both a Commendation and a Stephen Cole Award in the same year, they can only be awarded one prize and will be removed from contention from the other category. These award types are quite different so the same application will not be suitable for submission into both schemes. 
    • Team submissions can only include members with a contribution of 10% or higher. This means that the maximum number of team members is 10. 
    • Learning and Teaching Category specific: Applicants must have been employed at the University of Adelaide for no less than two year’s full time (or part time equivalent). Evidence of two years’ worth of sustained impact must be demonstrated within the application.
    • HDR Category specific: Open to staff who are registered on the University Supervisor Register and have supervised University of Adelaide HDR students for a minimum of two years (full time equivalent). Supervisors who are categorised as Principal Supervisor E are not eligible.
    • The University reserves the right to not award if there are any concerns regarding an applicant’s adherence to the University’s Values and Behaviour Framework.

    NOTE: If you have been an award recipient in the past, your application will need to clearly articulate how the work being presented is sufficiently different to what was previously awarded for both team or individual applications (i.e. strong evidence for continual growth, expansion, development of the activities must be presented).

  • Endorsement

    You must indicate that you have endorsement from one of the following:

    • Executive Dean,
    • Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching (Learning and Teaching category applications),
    • Dean of Graduate Studies (HDR Supervision category applications),
    • Head of School/ Head of Discipline/ Head of Branch

    View the application guides for further information 
    Commendations Application Guide - Learning and Teaching categories
    Commendations Application Guide - Implementing Effective HDR Supervisory Practices category

    Note:

    • The University reserves the right not to award if there are any concerns regarding adherence to the Values and Behaviour Framework.

  • Intention to Apply

    To ensure you have the support needed to submit a competitive application and to assist us in planning, you will need to submit an Intention to Apply form before Friday 1 August.

    If you have any queries, please contact teachexcellence@adelaide.edu.au

  • Award categories

    Up to five awards will be presented across the Learning and Teaching categories, and one award in the Implementing Effective HDR Supervisory Practices category.

    Both individuals and teams may apply in any category.

    Learning and Teaching categories
    • Innovations in blended and/or online learning
    • Developing graduate employability through work-integrated-learning (WIL)
    • Innovations in assessment and feedback
    • Inclusive learning and teaching approaches
    • Promoting student wellbeing to support learning
    • Embedding academic integrity education in curriculum
    • Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn 
    • Leadership that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or student experience 
    Higher Degrees by Research Category

    • Implementing Effective HDR Supervisory Practices category

    The Adelaide Graduate Research School is proud to sponsor this award. Applications in this category will be assessed on their track record of successful HDR candidate outcomes and engagement in high quality supervisory practice over five years or more.  

  • Selection criteria

    All applications for Stephen Cole the Elder Awards for Excellence will be assessed by a Selection Panel on the evidence provided in support of the criteria for each category.

    View the application guides for further information 

    Commendations Application Guide - Learning and Teaching categories
    Commendations Application Guide - Implementing Effective HDR Supervisory Practices category

     

  • Elements of the application
    Submissions must follow the Application Template.  Download the Template here
    Each application for a Commendations Award must include the following elements:

    Written Application (up to three pages total)

    1. 25 word Citation 
    2. 200 word (maximum) Overview of context and contribution.
    3. Written statement of distinctive contribution and evidence of its impact or 6 minute video statement (Learning and Teaching categories only). See application guide for more information. 

    Appendix

    1. Reference list.
    2. 2 x Letters of reference.
    3. Supporting materials.
    4. Curriculum Vitae.
    5. Individual SCRS supervision dashboard (for HDR Supervisory applicants only).
    6. Team Statement of Contribution (if applicable).

    Detailed information regarding the Elements of the Application can be found within the application guides 

     

    Commendations Application Guide - Learning and Teaching categories
    Commendations Application Guide - Implementing Effective HDR Supervisory Practices category

     

  • Submission
    Submissions must follow the Application Template.  Download the Template here

    Submissions are due by 9.00am Tuesday 23 September 2025

    Access the online submission form here

    Applicants will receive an email of confirmation once their applications have been received.  If you do not receive this email please contact teachexcellence@adelaide.edu.au for confirmation.

    Detailed information regarding the Submission process can be found within the application guides 

    Commendations Application Guide - Learning and Teaching categories
    Commendations Application Guide - Implementing Effective HDR Supervisory Practices category

     

  • Selection Panel

    Applications will be assessed against the selection criteria by a selection panel, consisting of:

    • Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning) - Convenor
    • Director, Adelaide Graduate Research School
    • one Deputy Dean (Learning and Teaching)
    • one Deputy Dean (Research) 

    Important note:

    • The University reserves the right not to award if there are any concerns regarding adherence to the University’s Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and/or the Code of Conduct.

  • Notification and prizes

    All recipients will be awarded $4,000 which will be credited to a project code of their choice (consultancy funds preferred).  Prizes cannot be split, with teams required to nominate one project code for the entire amount.

    The Adelaide Graduate Research School is proud to sponsor one award in the HDR Supervisory category. 

    Applicants will be advised of the outcome in early November each year. Feedback for unsuccessful applicants will be provided to assist with future applications.

  • Celebration of Learning and Teaching

    All successful applicants will be presented with a certificate of achievement at the annual Celebration of Learning and Teaching event, which has been scheduled for Thursday 13 November 2025.

    Family and friends in addition to work colleagues are encouraged to attend this event. The results will be publicly announced following the award ceremony.

  • Resources for applicants

    A range of resources are available on the Resources for Applicants page (staff log in required) including information session recordings, previous applications, important definitions and more.

    See the key dates above for information on other sessions you may like to attend throughout the year.

    Detailed information regarding all elements of the application can be found within the application guides 

     

    Commendations Application Guide - Learning and Teaching categories
    Commendations Application Guide - Implementing Effective HDR Supervisory Practices category

Hear advice from past recipients of the Commendations for the Enhancement of and Innovation in Student Learning.

Learn more about former recipients of the Commendations Award