UNSW has a national and international reputation for outstanding educators. Each year the University celebrates the outstanding achievements of its highly dedicated teachers through the UNSW Awards for Teaching.
The aim of the awards is to recognise people who have made contributions to student learning and/or the student experience. UNSW Sydney recognises outstanding contributions to student learning through eight highly prestigious awards:
- UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence
- UNSW Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching
- UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
- UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Early Career and Sessional Staff)
- UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing
- UNSW Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
- UNSW Award for Learning and Teaching Support (New Award)
- UNSW Award for Innovation in Teaching
These awards:
- align with UNSW’s priorities for strategic development of academic excellence
- formally recognise educational excellence at UNSW
- showcase examples of good practice for enhancing the student learning experience
Reflections and advice from previous recipients of the UNSW Awards for Teaching
Guidelines
2025 Guidelines will be made available in mid-late July.
Submission process
Applications for 2025 will open from Mon 28 July to Fri 12 September.
1. Download the application form for the award you want to apply. Application forms can be found in the award categories below.
2. Submit your application form including supporting documents to MS Form.
The submission deadline is midnight Friday 12 September.
Please read the following before you start writing:
- Read the guidelines and take note of requirements for each award and application formatting
- Attend the awards information session (or review the recording and slides)
- Read past application examples
- Ask a colleague to review your application
Awards information session
The 2025 Awards for Teaching Information Session recording and slide will be on 11am - 12pm, Tuesday 5 August (Teaching Commons, hybrid).
The session covers:
- Overview of awards
- How to write a strong application
- How to apply
- Tips from past award recipients
Slides and recording will be made available after the session.
The award categories are below:
UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence
This prestigious recognises an individual for their teaching excellence, leadership, and sustained commitment to teaching and learning at UNSW. They demonstrate a commitment to innovation and the delivery of quality teaching to improve the student experience and learning outcomes in higher education for a period of at least three years.
Award criteria
Applicants are required to address all four criteria below, which will be given equal consideration by the assessors.
- Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
- Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
- Evaluation practices that bring about improvements in teaching and learning.
- 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: One.
Download and fill in this form
UNSW Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching
The UNSW Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching recognises and honours an individual who demonstrates exceptional dedication to student learning and the student experience over five or more years. It rewards an individual who has had a sustained impact on student learning and 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.
- Demonstrated sustained impact on student learning and the student experience, evidenced through peers, students, and external bodies.
- Development of curricula, engaging resources and/or learning environments that reflect a command of the field.
- Continued commitment to reflective improvement in teaching, evidenced by evaluation practices that enhance teaching and learning.
- Cultivates a collegial and supportive working environment that fosters excellence in teaching.
Award: $5,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: One.
Download and fill in this form
UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
The UNSW 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.
- Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
- Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
- Evaluation practices that bring about improvements in teaching and learning.
- 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 four.
Download and fill in this form
UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Early Career and Sessional Staff)
The UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Early Career and Sessional Staff) recognise and reward individuals 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.
- Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
- Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
- Evaluation practices that bring about improvements in teaching and learning.
- 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 2, one for early career and one for sessional staff.
Download and fill in this form
UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing
The UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing recognises and rewards an individual or team who demonstrates 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:
- Development of resources, activities, and/or services that help students manage challenges related to academic life.
- 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.
- Commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment where students with diverse identities, circumstances and backgrounds feel safe and supported.
- 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.
Download and fill in this form
UNSW Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
The UNSW 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. Program Awards are open for team nominations only.
There are six categories of UNSW Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning. Applicants must identify one category they are addressing.
- Widening participation
- Educational partnerships and collaborations
- Innovation in curriculum design and pedagogy practice encompassing innovations in curricula
- Postgraduate education encompassing programs that focus on enhancing
- Student experiences and learning support services
- Global citizenship and internationalisation
Award criteria
Nominations for UNSW Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning will be assessed on evidence provided in relation to all the following four criteria:
- Distinctiveness, coherence and clarity of purpose: Extent to which the program has clear objectives and systematic approaches to coordination, implementation and evaluation.
- 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.
- Breadth 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.
- 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: $5,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: up to two.
Download and fill in this form
UNSW Award for Learning and Teaching Support
This award recognises outstanding contributions by individuals and teams who provide support for learning and teaching at UNSW. The award celebrates individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional commitment, innovation, and impact in their roles, significantly contributing to the success and positive experiences of both students and academic staff. This award is open to all professional staff (individuals and teams) working in roles that support academic staff in learning and teaching.
Award criteria
Applicants are required to address all three criteria below, which will be given equal consideration by the assessors.
1. Demonstrates creativity and innovation in supporting teaching and learning.
Examples:
- Development of new educational approaches tools or resources.
- Identifying and implementing creative solutions for teaching challenges
- Support the adoption of technologies to enhance learning.
2. Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in supporting changing educational needs to enhance the student experience.
Examples:
- Supporting adapting to new teaching methods and technologies.
- Providing support during transitions, such as moving to online learning.
- Being responsive and adaptable to feedback and new challenges.
3. Exemplary collaboration with and recognition from professional and academic staff
Examples:
- Successful partnerships with academic staff to support course delivery.
- Effective teamwork
- Acknowledgement and appreciation of support strategies by academic staff
Award: $5,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: one.
Download and fill in this form
UNSW Award for Innovation in Teaching
The UNSW Award for Innovation in Teaching is granted at the discretion of the central selection committee. The Award recognises an individual whose commitment to innovation and change has fundamentally challenged traditional teaching practices in their disciplinary context with demonstrated impact on student learning.
Award: Additional $3,000 (subject to tax)
Number of awards: One award available if recommended by the central committee.
Nomination
Nomination forms are not required for this award. The award recipient is selected from the final pool of applicants sent to the central committee.
FAQ's
General questions on UNSW Awards for Teaching
Q: Can I apply for more than one award?
A: Applicants may only apply for one award across all categories.
Q: I am confused about the Teaching Excellence and the Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning categories. What is the difference?
A: Award criteria are the same. However, applicants for the Teaching Excellence award must address all four criteria whereas applicants for the UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning only need to address one of the four criteria.
Q: Should I be nominated by someone else, or should I nominate myself?
A: All awards are self-nomination awards, except the Innovation in Teaching award. The Innovation in Teaching award is subject to the discretion of the central selection committee, no nomination form is required.
Q: I am not sure if I am considered an Early Career academic. Does my experience as a sessional academic count?
A: ‘Early Career’ refers to academics who are up to 7 years post PhD or equivalent (see UNSW Early Career Academic Support Policy). This includes sessional teaching.
Q: I have recently implemented new initiatives, which are still evolving and in development. I do not have a lot of evidence of sustainability or longevity. Is that going to impact my application?
A: If you do not have substantial evidence of sustained impact, we recommend applying for an award in a subsequent year. This will allow you to collect more evidence and develop a stronger application.
Q: What are award criteria and assessment criteria?
A: Award criteria can be thought of topic areas which you need to respond to. Assessment criteria are the items that your application is assessed against (similar to a rubric) i.e. impact, recognition, creativity/imagination/innovation.
Q: What are the formatting requirements?
A: Please save all pages (including reference letters) as one PDF and follow the formatting requirements and naming convention in the guideline. Any references and footnotes required should be part of the 4-page written statement requirement. They should not occupy an extra page or as an appendix.
Evidence
Q: What evidence can I use in the written statement?
A: The type of evidence used can vary depending on the award. You can also find more information here to help you gather evidence of your teaching practice.
Q: What supporting material can I use?
A: Not all awards accept supporting material. Please check the guideline for which type of award accepts supporting material.
Q: Should my evidence focus on a single course?
A: No. Applicants are encouraged to reflect on their teaching as a whole and include related evidence to each claim they make.
Q: When including student feedback like emails, should I de-identify students?
A: If you are using solicited or unsolicited evidence such as emails, we suggest that you remove names. If evidence comes from students, we recommend that you use the anonymous word “Student” and provide the course and year.
Q: Do I need to include a summative peer review report in my application?
A: Applicants are not required to include a summative peer review of teaching report in their application. You can however refer to comments from your summative peer review as evidence.
Q: I know that one of the reference letters should be written by my Head of School (or equivalent). What about the second reference letter?
A: The second reference letter should be written by the person who can provide the strongest support for the application. The second letter can be written by a student if they can make a strong case supporting the application.
If you are applying for the Learning and Teaching Support category, your second reference letter should be written by the person who can provide the strongest support for the application.
Q: Should the reference letters be submitted with the application?
A: Applicants need to submit all documentation as one PDF file.