Flinders University has a proud history of rewarding teaching innovation and excellence.
The teaching award framework enables the University to recognise and reward teaching excellence across the institution, as well as identify and support staff to make competitive submissions for national awards.
The trajectory of success commences with College Teaching Awards before progressing to Institutional Teaching Awards and on to National Teaching Awards.
The College-level awards are designed to recognise and reward teaching excellence and innovation and to encourage and prepare staff in their applications for the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence awards.
Vice-President and Executive Dean's Award for Innovation in Learning and Teaching
Vice-President and Executive Dean's Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Closing date: COB Friday 13 June 2025
Teaching Excellence Awards
Innovation in Learning and Teaching Awards
Open date: Monday 5 May 2025
Closing date: COB Friday 2025
Submit enquiries to: cepsw.deaneducation@flinders.edu.au
Innovation in Teaching Awards
Excellence in Teaching Awards
Closing date: COB Tuesday 8 July 2025
See also: CHASS Document library
Further information may be obtained from the Executive Officer, HASS College Education Committee chass.deaned@flinders.edu.au.
Applicants must make a case which addresses one of the following six criteria. This section of the application should not exceed four pages in total (see presentation guidelines below).
In assessing nominations against the chosen criteria, the Committee will take into account the:
Closing date: Mid-June 2025
For information contact cnhs.deaneducation@flinders.edu.au
Vice-President and Executive Dean Teaching Excellence Awards
Closing Date: COB Friday 30 May 2025
Submit applications to cmph.operations@flinders.edu.au
Vice-President and Executive Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award
STEM Academy Teaching Innovation Award
Closing Date: COB 29 April 2024
Contact CSE.deanED@flinders.edu.au for more information.
Learning and Teaching Innovation Award
Teaching Excellence Award
Innovation in Teaching and Learning Awards
Teaching Excellence Awards
Excellence in Teaching Awards
Tiffany Knight (Team Leader), Dr Sarah Peters, Dr Renato Musolino, Dr Chris Hurrell, Professor Chris Hay and Dr Peter Beaglehole - create scaffolded and iterative industry engagement opportunities throughout the degree program, fostering autonomous, innovative, and courageous performing arts practitioners. This deep industry engagement is informed by a constructivist and experiential learning theory approach, exemplified in the Floods of Fire project.
Dr Eliza Kitchen - Effective and engaging assessment strategies in Tourism and Events that enhance learning by scaffolding group projects and encouraging collaboration and creativity through authenticity and reflexivity.
Dr Zoei Sutton - Implementing approaches to teaching and the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn in SOCI1010 Sociology of Everyday Life.
Innovation in Teaching Awards
Associate Professor Martin Polkinghorne (Team Leader), Dr. Susan Arthure (Academic), Ms. Jenna Walsh (PhD Candidate/tutor), Mr. Marc Fairhead (PhD Candidate/tutor), Mr. Simon Hoad (Technical Officer), with Associate Professor Alice Gorman, and Chantal Wight (former Technical Officer) - The development and delivery of an innovative four-week teaching unit in Experimental Archaeology (EA), filling a gap in the Australian undergraduate archaeology curriculum and encouraging first-year student engagement with critical theory and practical methods in an imaginative and inclusive way.
Dr Tom Cochrane (Team Leader) and Dr Gareth Furber - Curriculum design that incorporates techniques of positive psychology into the experiential learning of philosophical theories of the good life.
Jason Bevan - Practice-led delivery and work-simulated assignments that facilitate students’ exceptional end products through collaboration and industry-simulated environments.
Excellence in Teaching Awards (Individual Winner)
Excellence in Teaching Awards (Team Winners)
Excellence in Teaching Award Winners
Brad Mitchell – for exceptional leadership and coordination of the paramedicine programs.
Innovation in Teaching Award Winners
Leigh Moore and Melissa Ridd – for their innovative development of curricula and resources for participants and facilitators in rural and remote settings
2024 Award Winners
The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards are designed to recognise and reward teaching excellence and innovation and to encourage and prepare staff in their applications for National Teaching Awards.
The awards recognise recent responsive and sustainable educational initiatives that address one of six key strategic objectives of the university and exemplify a culture of innovation and excellence:
The key component of a nomination is a 3-5 minute video addressing the chosen strategic objective, pertaining to the following key areas:
Each winner (either individual or team) is presented with a certificate and receives a prize of $2000.
The key component of a nomination is a 4-page written statement addressing one of the selection criteria below:
The written statement and attachments can be uploaded via the application form below.
Deadline: COB Wednesday 18 September
Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Vice Chancellor’s Award Commendations for Excellence in Teaching
Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Innovation in Teaching
Vice Chancellor’s Award Commendations for Innovation in Teaching
Video:
Associate Professor Jonathan Benjamin, Mr Hiro Yoshida, Associate Professor Wendy Van Duivenvoorde and Dr John McCarthy won the 2022 Vice Chancellor's Award for Innovation in Teaching for their work in the Flinders University Maritime Archaeology Program, developing an accredited micro-credential in Professional Scientific Diving.
The Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) recognises and rewards educators and programs that have made a significant impact on student learning and the higher education sector. These awards celebrate outstanding contributions from academic and professional staff, acknowledging the innovation, dedication, and leadership that enhance the student experience and learning outcomes.
Professional Development Sessions
It is recommended that nominees attend an online Professional Development session, relevant to their selected award category. Sessions will be held from May 2025.
If would like to attend a PD session, please email awards.grants@flinders.edu.au for more information.
Previous recorded sessions can be viewed here:
For more resources to support your application, see the guides and support section below.
2024 - AWARDS FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
A/Prof Voula Gaganis, College of Medicine and Public Health
Flinders University Associate Professor Voula Gaganis is one of only four recipients of this year’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Voula has led the transformation of medical science education at Flinders University by replacing didactic pedagogy with active learning and collaborating with industry to co-create degrees that address dynamic workforce needs. A pharmacologist by training, teaching specialist, and educational researcher, Voula is the Teaching Program Director (Medical Biosciences) at the College of Medicine and Public Health (CMPH). She is nationally recognised as an award-winning leader in medical education, collaborating and leading multi-institutional research projects. An educator with over 20 years of experience, Voula has developed strategic industry links across the medical sciences sector to ensure degree curricula are embedded with work-integrated learning opportunities relevant to graduate employability. Her curriculum transformations positively impact student performance and satisfaction.
2024 - AWARDS FOR PROGRAMS THAT ENHANCE LEARNING
Dr David Hobbs, Dr Thomas Vincent, Dr Vlatka Zivotic-Kukolj, Mrs Nalini Klopp, Ms Kahlene Michalanney, Mrs Jessica Venning, Ms Sascha Lemon-Spence, Ms Larissa Pearce, Flinders University STEM Work Integrated Learning Program
Flinders University Associate Professor Voula Gaganis is one of only four recipients of this year’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Voula has led the transformation of medical science education at Flinders University by replacing didactic pedagogy with active learning and collaborating with industry to co-create degrees that address dynamic workforce needs. A pharmacologist by training, teaching specialist, and educational researcher, Voula is the Teaching Program Director (Medical Biosciences) at the College of Medicine and Public Health (CMPH). She is nationally recognised as an award-winning leader in medical education, collaborating and leading multi-institutional research projects. An educator with over 20 years of experience, Voula has developed strategic industry links across the medical sciences sector to ensure degree curricula are embedded with work-integrated learning opportunities relevant to graduate employability. Her curriculum transformations positively impact student performance and satisfaction.
Dr Dusan Matusica, A/Prof Christine Barry, Prof Rainer Haberberger & Prof Helen Anscomb, Anatomy Assessment Design Team
For effective, authentic assessment strategies in a cadaveric dissection program that scaffold development of critical anatomical, clinical and professionalism skills for future medical practitioners.
Dr Luis Da Vinha, College of Business, Government and Law
Developing interactive video resources that foster engagement and active online learning using research-informed innovative design and strategically disseminating best practice knowledge, supporting curricula design.
A/Prof Christine Barry, College of Medicine and Public Health
Teaching anatomical foundations for clinical excellence: evidence-based approaches that overcome cognitive barriers, develop metacognitive awareness and inspire clinically oriented student learning.
Dr Voula Gaganis, College of Medicine and Public Health
Heeding the call to action: transforming didactic, anachronistic pedagogy to active learning across large medical science classes to improve student engagement, experience, and academic success.
Dr Masha Smallhorn, College of Science and Engineering
For improving student learning outcomes and engagement in large first-year cohorts in biological sciences through research-informed, inquiry-based learning practicals.
WIL in Sport: Dr Deb Agnew & A/Prof Shane Pill, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
For Innovation, leadership and scholarship of an integrated model of international Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for Sport that has enhanced the student experience.
Environmental Health Team: A/Prof Kirstin Ross, Dr Harriet Whiley, Prof Howard Fallowfield, College of Science and Engineering
Engaging students with Environmental Health through creative curricula and accessible, industry informed, authentic learning experiences.
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