The University of Queensland has topped the nation in the number of Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citations for outstanding contributions to student learning.
UQ and the University of Western Sydney both had a perfect success rate, receiving the maximum of 10 citations, with each citation valued at $10,000.
The awards recognise and reward teaching excellence in the higher education sector.
More than $2 million will be awarded to 170 individuals and 23 teams at six ceremonies to be held around the country from late July onwards.
Queensland winners will receive their awards at a ceremony at GOMA, South Brisbane on Tuesday, August 3.
UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Deborah Terry congratulated the winners, whose accolades illustrate the high standard of teaching excellence at UQ.
“The result reflects the University’s enormous strengths in teaching and learning, and cements UQ's record of winning more national awards for teaching than any other Australian university since the national awards system began in 1997,” Professor Terry said.
UQ’s winners are:
• Professor Lawrence Gahan, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, for 25 years of engaging students, enhancing learning, inspiring colleagues and sustaining leadership in chemistry;
• Associate Professor Joseph Grotowski, School of Mathematics and Physics, for sustained leadership in teaching and learning of mathematics - engaging students and inspiring an institutional culture around curriculum innovations across the discipline;
• Associate Professor Matthew Hornsey, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, for inspiring and motivating psychology students in large classes through the use of narrative and connectedness;
• Mr Michael Jennings, School of Mathematics and Physics, for improving first-year students’ mathematical understanding through enthusiasm, engagement and innovative teaching approaches;
• Dr James Laurenceson, School of Economics, for sustained excellence in teaching large undergraduate economics courses: inspiring students through relevance, interaction, enthusiasm and humour – contributing to increasing enrolments and lower attrition rates’
• Associate Professor Malcolm Parker, School of Medicine, for preparing future doctors to manage the ethical, legal and professional obligations and challenges of 21st Century medical practice, through fifteen years of inspiring leadership;
• Professor John Simmons, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, for excellence in teaching that has inspired, challenged and encouraged engineering students in six decades, and for national leadership of culture change in engineering education;
• Mrs Margaret Stephenson, School of Law, for outstanding teaching and leadership in internationalising the curriculum, in promoting global student learning and offering students a “virtual overseas education” experience without leaving home;
• Dr Terry Tunny, School of Biomedical Sciences, for outstanding dedication and expertise in teaching physiology in clinical context to medical students resulting in an enhanced educational experience in the medical program; and
• Dr Martie-Louise Verreynne and Mr Stewart Gow, UQ Business School, and Mr Clint Ramsay, UniQuest Pty Ltd, for sustained excellence in engaging industry in the learning experiences and professional development of postgraduate business students.
Media: Jan King 0413 601 248.
