Adelaide Education Academy has its first class of 2016

Adelaide Education Academy inaugural members The University of Adelaide has launched a new academy for staff who specialise in teaching in a first for an Australian university.

The initiative continues the transformation of the teaching and learning experience for both students and staff at the University. So far 49 highly-regarded teaching staff have been inducted into the Adelaide Education Academy with academics from each of the University’s five faculties.

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Warren Bebbington, says the intention is to induct a total of 100 academics.

“In a research-intensive university, it is a challenge for staff to be recognised as real academics for teaching alone,” he says.

“By establishing the Adelaide Education Academy, we are saying teaching is a noble career in a university with its own unique rewards and privileges.”

Professor Bebbington says the University is opening a pathway for staff to be promoted all the way to professor for their teaching alone. 

“Through its members, the academy will become a symbol of the University’s unique learning and teaching proposition which, to the great benefit of our students, is at the centre of our strategic direction,” he says.

“Among the first members of the academy are academics who have played an outstanding role in the quality of education at our University for many years.”

Academy members include Associate Professor Elizabeth Koch OAM, Head of Classical Performance with the Elder Conservatorium of Music, and Associate Professor Colin Kestell from the School of Mechanical Engineering. Both are past winners of the University’s long-running Stephen Cole the Elder Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

“The new education academy has already opened up opportunities for greater collaboration between teaching focused academics in all faculties of the University,” says Associate Professor Koch.

“I am particularly looking forward to sharing knowledge on aspects of teaching and learning practice with colleagues in other disciplines. Learning from other teachers outside one’s own specialisation will no doubt be very useful and inspiring and will facilitate reflection on learning and teaching approaches.”

Members of the academy have exclusive opportunities to bid for learning and teaching advancement grants, apply for promotion based on their teaching and learning activities, and have access to support in the form of teaching-focused special study programs.

www.adelaide.edu.au/learning/teaching/academy 

Story by Genevieve Sanchez