The Vice-Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching Awards are an annual recognition of the outstanding work and achievements of our dedicated teaching and learning staff here at UTS.
Being a recipient of a UTS Learning and Teaching Award is highly regarded and a great way to boost your academic profile. It provides a platform to showcase your work to a wider audience and progress your career, and can be the starting point for further accolades. Many of our previous winners at UTS have gone on to receive national recognition and praise at the Australian Awards for University Teaching.
Still not sure whether you should apply? I asked a couple of our 2022 award recipients to outline why they applied and how being an award recipient has impacted them. They also shared some practical advice for prospective applicants about how they can make the most of their application.
Meet Zozan and Scott
Dr Zozan Balci 
Dr Scott Chadwick
- Dr Zozan Balci received the 2022 Teaching by a Casual or Sessional Staff Member Award, for creating inclusive learning spaces through enhancing student belonging. As a tutor in the Social and Political Sciences discipline, Zozan has developed a unique approach to encourage diversity of thought and critical thinking in her classes.
- Dr Scott Chadwick and his team in the Centre for Forensic Science received the 2022 Team Teaching Award, for future-proofing our future forensic science professionals.
Why did you apply for an award?
One of my mentors within the faculty encouraged me to do this to receive recognition for the work I have been doing.
Zozan Balci
We applied for the award to recognise the team that has worked hard to develop and deliver the program. Excellence in teaching and learning can often be seen as business as usual, so it is important to stop, recognise and reward the work of the team.
Scott Chadwick
How has winning an award impacted you?
The work of casual academics mostly goes unnoticed, so this award has resulted in greater visibility and recognition of my long-standing contributions to the university.
Zozan Balci
It has helped the team to trust their instincts in teaching innovation. This award has given our staff confidence in their learning design and encouraged us to continue to improve student experience.
Scott Chadwick
What advice do you have for future applicants?
Draw on your own story to articulate what drives your work, and don’t be afraid to include a part of yourself in your philosophy – it makes your practice more personable, relatable and meaningful.
Zozan Balci
Focus on student learning, it is easy for us to explain how we teach, but it is more impactful to show how students learn in our courses. Look beyond SFS – it’s just one measure, but there are other measures, both quantitative (Student Experience Surveys, Graduate Outcome Surveys) and qualitative (student quotes, industry advisory boards). Craft a compelling narrative, and don’t just have a series of statements and outcomes.
Scott Chadwick
Applications are now open
Applications for the 2023 awards are now open, with the submission deadline of 5pm on Monday, 16 October. For more details about the application process, you can refer to the UTS website.
If you’d like more advice about applying for an award, register now to attend the awards information session on 12 September:
Applying for a learning and teaching award | 12 September