UNSW Awards for Teaching

The prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching Excellence recognise individuals or teaching teams for their excellence, leadership, and sustained commitment to teaching and learning at UNSW. In particular, they reward the enrichment of student experiences and the improvement of learning outcomes through innovation and the delivery of quality teaching over a sustained period.

Award criteria
Applicants are required to address all four criteria which will be given equal consideration by the assessors:

1. Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
2. Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
3. Evaluation practices that bring about improvements in teaching and learning.
4. Innovation, leadership or scholarship that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience.

Award: $5,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: two, and one should recognise early career.

Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2021 Guidelines.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching recognises and honours individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to student learning and the student experience over five or more years. It rewards individuals who have had a sustained impact on student learning and who have contributed to the development of a collegial working environment that fosters excellence in teaching.

Award criteria

Applicants are required to address all four criteria below, which will be given equal consideration by the assessors.

1. Demonstrated sustained impact on student learning and the student experience, evidenced through peers, students, and external bodies. 
2. Development of curricula, engaging resources and/or learning environments that reflect a command of the field. 
3. Continued commitment to reflective improvement in teaching, evidenced by evaluation practices that enhance teaching and learning.  
4. Cultivates a collegial and supportive working environment that fosters excellence in teaching.

Award: $5,000 (subject to tax)  

Number of awards: One.

Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2021 Guidelines.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning recognise and reward individuals and/or teams for their sustained, outstanding contribution to the quality of student learning in a specific area of responsibility.

Award criteria
Applicants are required to address one criterion from below. Nominations will be assessed on evidence provided in relation to the selected criterion.

1. Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
2. Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
3. Evaluation practices that bring about improvements in teaching and learning.
4. Innovation, leadership or scholarship that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience

Award: $5,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: up to five, including one for early career, one for sessional staff and one postgraduate coursework teaching.

Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2021 Guidelines.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing recognises and rewards individuals and/or teams who demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting students in reaching their full potential. In particular, it rewards contributions to students’ wellbeing in relation to academic life.  

Award criteria
Applicants are required to address all four criteria below:

1. Development of resources, activities, and/or services that help students manage challenges related to academic life.
2. Sustained teacher presence (online or face-to-face) that provides learning support, offers multiple opportunities for teacher-student interaction and results in high levels of student satisfaction.
3. Commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment where students with diverse identities, circumstances and backgrounds feel safe and supported. 
4. Teaching practices or activities that foster social connections and a sense of belonging amongst student cohorts.

Award: $5,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: One.

Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2021 Guidelines.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning recognise programs and services that make innovative and outstanding contributions to the quality of student learning and the student learning experience at UNSW. This year, the Program Awards are open for team nominations only.

There are six categories of Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning. Applicants must identify one category they are addressing.

1. Widening participation
2. Educational partnerships and collaborations
3. Innovation in curriculum design and pedagogy practice encompassing innovations in curricula
4. Postgraduate education encompassing programs that focus on enhancing
5. Student experiences and learning support services
6. Global citizenship and internationalisation

More information relating to the categories is located in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2021 Guidelines.

Award criteria
Nominations for Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning will be assessed on evidence provided in relation to all the following four criteria:

1. Distinctiveness, coherence and clarity of purpose:
   Extent to which the program has clear objectives and systematic approaches to coordination, implementation and evaluation.
2. Influence on student learning and the student experience:
   Extent to which the program targets identified needs and directly or indirectly enhances student learning, student engagement and/or the overall student experience of higher education.
3. Breath of impact:
   Extent to which the program has led to widespread benefits for students and their learning beyond the original context in which the program was implemented.
4. Addressing equity, diversity and inclusion:
   Extent to which the program promotes and supports equity and inclusiveness by improving access, participation and outcomes for diverse student groups.

Award: $2,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: up to two, and one should recognise postgraduate coursework teaching.

Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2021 Guidelines.

This special award is made in memory of the late Heinz Harant, one of the University’s earliest alumni and dedicated supporters, who after graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering devoted many years of service to student life on campus and was instrumental in founding the University’s Alumni Association.

In recognition of Heinz Harant’s personal commitment to innovation and change, this special award recognises individuals whose innovation has fundamentally challenged orthodoxy in teaching in their disciplinary context.

Award: additional $3,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: one award available if recommended by the Central Committee

Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2021 Guidelines.