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Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Research

Background

This award recognises the outstanding achievement of an individual academic who has enhanced student learning through exemplary teaching practice and advanced the frontiers of knowledge through a significant contribution to research within a discipline area.

This is a single Category offering up to one Award (value $10,000)

Please be sure to carefully read through the guidelines for applications for the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Research.

Eligibility

All RMIT Higher Education academic Staff, including Heads of Schools, who are employed at least 0.5 FTE are eligible for this award.

Applicants must have been at RMIT University for at least 2 years, full time equivalent.

Selection criteria

Applicants must address:

  • any three selection criteria for A: outstanding achievement in teaching
  • the selection criterion for B: the teaching and research nexus
  • and demonstrate outstanding research as indicated by the HERDC measures, and publication of creative works eligible under the ERA guidelines outlined in C: outstanding achievement in research.

A. Outstanding achievement in teaching

as evidenced with reference to any three criteria below:

1. Approaches to teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn, which may include fostering student development by stimulating curiosity and independence in learning; contributing to the development of students‟ critical thinking skills, analytical skills and scholarly values; encouraging student engagement through the enthusiasm shown for learning and teaching; inspiring and motivating students through high-level communication, presentation and interpersonal skills

2. Development of curricula and resources that reflect a command of the field, which may include: developing and presenting coherent and imaginative resources for student learning; implementing research-led approaches to learning and teaching; demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of the field of study in the design of the curriculum and the creation of resources for learning; communicating clear objectives and expectations for student learning

3. Approaches to assessment and feedback that foster independent learning, which may include integrating assessment strategies with the specific aims and objectives for student learning; providing timely, worthwhile feedback to students on their learning; using a variety of assessment and feedback strategies; implementing both formative and summative assessment; adapting assessment methods to different contexts and diverse student needs

4. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals, which may include participating in the effective and empathetic guidance and advising of students; assisting students from equity and other demographic subgroups to participate and achieve success in their courses; influencing the overall academic, social and cultural experience of higher education

5. Scholarly activities that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching, which may include showing advanced skills in evaluation and reflective practice; participating in and contributing to professional activities related to learning and teaching; coordination, management and leadership of courses and student learning; conducting and publishing research related to learning and teaching; demonstrating leadership through activities that have broad influence on the profession

and

B. The teaching and research nexus

This criterion recognises that, in universities, research informs teaching and teaching informs research. Applicants are required to reflect on their achievements in relation to research-informed teaching, that is, on the manner in which their discipline-specific research activities, as evidenced in Criterion C, have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching.

Applicants will find more information on the Teaching and Research Nexus website.

C. Outstanding achievement in research

The University Selection Panel will use Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) measures (including research publications, HDR completions and research income), spanning the last three years (2008-2010 inclusive) to evidence outstanding research. This research must be referenced in the response to Selection Criterion B.

HERDC data will be provided to the Selection Panel by the Research and Innovation Portfolio.

Nomination and selection procedure

  1. Nominations will be sought through the Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) in each College
  2. Each College will undertake its own selection process which will be advertised internally and supervised by a College based Selection Panel.
  3. The College based Selection Panel will select a single candidate for consideration by the University Selection Panel.
  4. The College Awards Coordinator will obtain the signature of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) and submit the endorsed application to the University Selection Panel for this award.

Please note, you may be nominated for a number of awards but you may only apply as an individual in one category/subcategory across all the awards per year. You may apply, as a member of a team application, in more than one category/subcategory per year.