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 six highly prestigious awards:
- UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence
- UNSW Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching
- UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
- UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing
- UNSW Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
- 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
UNSW Awards for Teaching: Guidelines
UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.pdf
Submit your completed application to the MS Form link under each award category below. Submission will open from 8 August to COB 29 September 2022.
Awards information session
The session will be held on Tuesday, 23 August, at 12pm-1pm on MS Teams. Please register here from 26 July till 12pm, 23 August. The recording will be made available here after the session.
The session will cover:
- Overview of awards
- How to write a strong application
- How to apply
- Tips from past award recipients
Please click here to access the recording.
The six award categories are below:
UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence
The prestigious UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence recognises an individual for their excellence, leadership, and sustained commitment to teaching and learning at UNSW. 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:
- 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.
To submit an application for the UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence:
Download and fill in this form
Submit your application form including supporting documents to: https://forms.office.com/r/zjDEPHsK2g
The submission deadline is COB on 29 September 2022.
Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
UNSW Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching
The UNSW 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.
- 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.
To submit an application for the UNSW Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching:
Download and fill in this form
Submit your application form including supporting documents to: https://forms.office.com/r/zjDEPHsK2g
The submission deadline is COB on 29 September 2022.
Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
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.
To submit an application for the UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning:
Download and fill in this form
Submit your application form including supporting documents to: https://forms.office.com/r/zjDEPHsK2g
The submission deadline is COB on 29 September 2022.
Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
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 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 2, one for early career and one for sessional staff.
To submit an application for the UNSW Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Early Career and Sessional Staff):
Download and fill in this form
Submit your application form including supporting documents to: https://forms.office.com/r/zjDEPHsK2g
The submission deadline is COB on 29 September 2022.
Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing
The UNSW 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:
- 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.
To submit an application for the UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing:
Download and fill in this form
Submit your application form including supporting documents to: https://forms.office.com/r/zjDEPHsK2g
The submission deadline is COB on 29 September 2022.
Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
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
More information relating to the categories is located in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
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. - 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. - 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.
To submit an application for the UNSW Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning:
Download and fill in this form
Submit your application form including supporting documents to: https://forms.office.com/r/zjDEPHsK2g
The submission deadline is COB on 29 September 2022.
Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
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 individuals 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 is awarded on the recommendation of the central committee.
Find out more information in the UNSW Awards for Teaching - 2022 Guidelines.
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: As per the guidelines, Early Career refers to teachers with less than five years of cumulative experience teaching in higher education institutions. This includes sessional teaching.
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: What is the minimum length of time for the UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing?
A: As per the guidelines, the UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Wellbeing is awarded to academic, professional and sessional staff who have made outstanding contributions to student wellbeing over a period of at least two sessions/terms.
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 documents (including reference letters) as one PDF and follow the formatting requirements and naming convention on p.16 of the guideline pdf.
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 guidelines and specifically page 20 for which type of award accepts supporting material.
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.
Q: Should the reference letters be submitted with the application?
A: Applicants need to submit all documentation as one file.