Three University of Queensland teachers have been recognised for their dedication and contributions to student learning at the Australian Awards for University Teaching.
The teachers each received awards in the 2017 Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning category.
Professor Anthony Cassimatis was recognised for leadership, innovation, scholarship and the creation of a global network of international lawyers to guide and inspire students to achieve excellence and career success.
Professor Cassimatis is an extremely active teacher and his commitment to learning extends well beyond the classroom. He has been academic coordinator of teams representing the Law School in the Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition over many years, including teams that have won the Australian regional rounds of the competition.
Dr Lisa Fitzgerald received her award for challenging and supporting public health students through a learning journey to gain a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health.
She is a champion of the ‘flipped classroom’ and embeds the teaching and learning of social determinants of health into her curriculum design. She continuously examines the outcomes of technology enhanced learning in situ, as well as maintaining a lively multidisciplinary approach to her research.
Dr Poh Wah Hillock was recognised for a mathematics support program that improves student success by building confidence and fostering hard work and perseverance through participation in a community of practice.
Dr Hillock has already received accolades, such as the awarding of a 2016 University of Queensland Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Her design and implementation of the Support Learning Tutorial, a weekly program, has seen a significant turnaround in those students identified as having a high risk of failure. These students now consistently outperform their peer cohort.
UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright was delighted by the formal recognition of these outstanding teachers.
“These awards highlight the extraordinary contributions made by these individuals to the quality of student learning,” Professor Wright said.
“Our winners are standout academics and their distinctive approaches and their impact has not gone un-noticed at the national level.
“The University of Queensland is very proud of their ongoing roles here, and our students are the beneficiaries of their excellent teaching.”
The Department of Education and Training awards are extremely prestigious and UQ’s success bolsters its reputation as a global university.
The University looks forward to celebrating further excellence in teaching with the upcoming Teaching and Learning Awards – part of The University Of Queensland’s Teaching and Learning Week.
Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120.
