2024 is an Olympics year, where people worldwide are cheering on their nation to bring home many gold medals. Most of us will never know what winning a gold medal at the Olympics feels like. But if you’re an academic at UTS, the next best thing might be a Vice-Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching award or citation! These awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the learning and teaching staff at UTS.
Over the years, recipients at UTS have been recognised for impactful learning and teaching approaches. We contacted some of last year’s winners to learn more about why they applied for an award and how being an award recipient has impacted their teaching practice.
Dr Anna Lidfors Lindqvist – Early Career Teaching Award
In 2023, Anna received the Early Career Teaching Award. She has developed innovative strategies to enhance student engagement and success as a lecturer in the School of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. We asked her why she applied for a learning and teaching award and how being an award recipient has influenced her teaching career.
Why did you apply for a UTS Learning and Teaching award?
To highlight the innovative approaches I’ve implemented in recent years. It was an opportunity to receive formal recognition for the dedication and effort I’ve put into enhancing the educational experience for students. It was also a chance to reflect on and celebrate the journey that has led me to where I am today in my career.
How has winning an award impacted you?
It has increased my visibility and credibility within the academic community, leading to new collaborative opportunities and enhancing my influence in shaping educational practices. The recognition has also helped affirm that the innovative approaches and hard work I put in are both valued and effective. Additionally, it has encouraged me to further innovate and pursue excellence in teaching and learning.
What advice would you have for future applicants?
When applying, choose projects or initiatives that truly reflect your passion and achievements in education. It’s crucial to demonstrate the impact of your work with concrete evidence, illustrating how these efforts align either with UTS’s strategic goals or broader national objectives within your field. Before submitting your application, seek diverse feedback – not only from peers and mentors who understand your area, but also from friends or family unfamiliar with your field. Their insights can help ensure that your application is comprehensible and compelling to a wide audience.
Dr Jeff Crabtree and Monica Rouvellas – Student Experience Award
Jeffrey and Monica from FASS received the Student Experience Award for accelerating the engagement of music and sound design students with the contemporary music industry business environment. As casual academics, they have unique insight into how being an award has impacted their teaching, as Jeff explains.
Why did you apply for an award?
Monica originally suggested we apply for a Teaching award in 2022, in part because the delivery of our subject (Music Business and Professional Practice) had already been the subject of a book chapter. That year was a busy one, and by the time we could write a submission, the deadline had passed. The following year, a colleague who was familiar with our student-centred and autonomous learning approach suggested we should apply. There had been further innovation since the 2023 delivery, so it seemed like a good time to apply.
How has winning an award impacted you?
Both of us are casual academics, and so on a practical level, the prize associated with winning the award has helped us both upgrade our teaching technology. There is considerable cachet from winning an award such as this – and it looks great on our CVs (although I have not had to put it to the test regarding the job market).
One immediate benefit was meeting Professor Kylie Readman at the after-party. We introduced ourselves to her and she expressed an interest in attending the capstone event for the subject. The students were really excited by having a senior member of the university executive show up to see their work – as were we.
What advice would you have for future applicants?
Focus primarily on delivering high quality experiences for the students. We have also been quick to learn from our early versions of the subject, and we have tried to stay attuned to the kind of organic feedback that students will give you in class over the course of delivery.
We have also approached this subject by considering what other innovations we can bring to our delivery in each successive year. I think it is fair to say we were motivated by delivering something of value to the students rather than the awards. Even though we were privileged to be honoured with the award, I think that remains our main focus to this day. The music industry doesn’t stand still, and neither can we.
Applications are now open
Applications for the 2024 awards are now open. Submissions are due by 5:00pm on 14 October. For more details about the application process, refer to the UTS website.
If you’d like more advice about applying for an award, register now to attend a drop-in session on 25 September.