Excellence in Teaching at ACU

Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Interim Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education and Innovation, congratulates the following ACU staff named as award and citation winners for their commitment to excellence in teaching and their contribution to student learning.

Applications were received from a diverse range of staff across three award categories.

ACU Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

For the first time, there were three applicants and three awards in this category. The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching gives recognition to teachers renowned for their excellent teaching and their deep contribution to enhancing the quality of learning and teaching in higher education.

Successful applicants for 2020 Citations are:

• Dr Helen Aucote, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences: for guiding and transitioning first-year students using innovative teaching approaches that are grounded in theory and substantiated by strong evaluative practices.
• Associate Professor Catherine Bell, Associate Professor, Visual Arts, Faculty of Education and Arts: for visual arts curriculum that prioritises studio-led research and develops professional competencies that empowers students to actively contribute to the creative sector upon graduation.
• Associate Professor Robyn Horner, Associate Professor Theology, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy: for excellence in the implementation of the enhancing Catholic School Identity Research for school leaders and teachers.

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

ACU Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning recognise and reward significant and sustained contributions made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning.

Successful applicants for 2020 Citations are:

• Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman, Lecturer, Finance, Faculty of Law and Business: for embedding authentic learning activities in teaching approaches, commensurate with ACU’s mission and values to create work-ready business graduates.
• Dr Rachel Busbridge, Lecturer, Sociology, Faculty of Education and Arts: for innovative, passionate teaching that inspires students to transcend the taken-for- granted to deepen learning, advance self-knowledge, and develop as critical and reflective thinkers.
• Dr Beth McLeod, Lecturer, Outdoor Leadership/Education, Faculty of Health Sciences: for leadership in sport and outdoor education in the development of strategies and resources that facilitate enhanced student support, learning and the overall ACU experience.

Successful applicants for 2020 Citations (Early Career) are:

• Mrs Kylie Kendrick, Lecturer, Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences: for enhancing the student experience through original and innovative practices and strategies that support theoretical and clinical learning in Paramedicine.
• Ms Janine Luttick, Lecturer, National School of Theology, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy: for learning design and teaching practice that facilitates student agency and voice through critical engagement with the Bible in dialogue with challenges of the contemporary world.
• Dr Jemima Spathis, Lecturer, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences (Qld), Faculty of Health Sciences: for Work Integrated Learning embedded across the curriculum to enhance student’s ability to work with clients and prepare them for the dynamic workforce in Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology.