Future-proofing UQ’s student experience through teaching excellence

Six University of Queensland educators have received awards for Teaching Excellence, celebrating their commitment to enhancing student learning with creative and innovative practices.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Kris Ryan said all have led significant advances in teaching in their fields of health, education, social sciences and environmental science.

“I am delighted that the outstanding contributions of the 6 accomplished award winners are being recognised through these awards. Their contributions across UQ have been far reaching and diverse.” Professor Ryan said.

“Congratulations to Dr Gurion Ang for combining traditional learning with digital tools; Professor Fiona Barlow for embedding practical knowledge with theory; Associate Professor Rebecca Olson for her emotion-centred approach to teaching; and Dr Adriana Penman for developing simulation-based modules for speech pathology students learning to treat stutters.

“Professor Tracey Bunda and Associate Professor Katelyn Barney have received a joint Award for Teaching Excellence, for their co-teaching method to ‘indigenise’ curriculum through aboriginal storytelling.”

In addition to the Awards for Teaching Excellence, other UQ teaching staff have been recognised in 10 additional categories.

The Indigenous Educator Award for Teaching Excellence was awarded for the first time since 2010 to Dr Jared Miles from UQ’s School of Pharmacy.

The awards are part of Teaching and Learning (T&L) Week at UQ which focuses on celebrating and sharing high quality education practice.

Professor Ryan said this year’s workshops, seminars and events will highlight UQ’s excellent teachers and tutors, along with initiatives around the theme of Future Ready.

“Throughout the week, sessions will enable educators to continue providing the world class teaching that UQ is known for,” Professor Ryan said.

“Our sessions will showcase the latest teaching techniques, prepare participants to employ emerging technologies across their teaching and support networking and planning for the teaching year ahead.

“This week is an important opportunity for everyone to share novel ideas while learning from one another and celebrating the creative and innovative teaching and learning practices that are central to enhancing all our student’s education experiences.”

View the full list of award recipients below:

Awards for Teaching Excellence

• Dr Gurion Ang, School of the Environment

• Professor Fiona Kate Barlow, School of Psychology 

• Professor Tracey Bunda and Associate Professor Katelyn Barney, ATSIS Unit, ODVC(IE)  

• Associate Professor Rebecca Olson, School of Social Science 

• Dr Adriana Penman, School of Health and Rehabilitation Science

Indigenous Educator Award for Teaching Excellence

Dr Jared Miles, School of Pharmacy

Commendations for Teaching Excellence

• Professor Ulrike Kappler, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences 

• Associate Professor Carmen Mills, School of Education  

Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning

• Newish Communications, UQ Business School.
  Team: Dr Nicolas Pontes, Sharon Twomey, Jaanvi Singh 

• WRIT1999: Effective Thinking and Writing, Enhanced Studies Program, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry.
  Team: Dr Peter Ellerton, Professor Deborah Brown, Dr Yael Leibovitch, Dr Nathan Pickels, Dr Luke Zaphir, Laura Pham and Jacob Tangleroyal 

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

• Associate Professor Christoph Breidbach, UQ Business School  

• The Fryer Library Core Teaching Team.
  Members: Kirsty Rickett, Dr Jeff Rickertt, Sheena Brockman, Simon Farley, Belinda Spinaze; UQ Library 

• Dr Tony Heynen, School of Chemical Engineering

• The SEAL Self-Reflection Team
  Members: Anna Richards and Dr Dino Willox, Student Enrichment and Employability Development. 

• Dr Chamith Wijenayake, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 

Indigenous Educator Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

• The Walking Together Team, Kate Thompson and Karina Maxwell, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work 

Commendations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

• Associate Professor Frederik von Briel, UQ Business School  

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning: Tutors

• Ms Tyla Cascaes, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry  

• Ms Lisa Enright, School of Communication and Arts 

• Miss Natalie Hēni Maihi Fennell, School of Social Science 

• Miss Olivia Jessop, Centre for Clinical Research

Commendations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning: Tutors 

• Dr Luke Zaphir, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry 

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Learning: Learning Design and Advisory

• The HaBS Learning Design Team

Members: Rachel Scott, Sam Harris, Jess Cockerill, Imogen Ferrier, Kealey Griffiths, Damian Ackroyd; HABS Faculty 

• Ben Cossalter, Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation 

Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to Learning: Learning Design and Advisory

• The Digital Learning Uplift

Members: Dr Charlotte Young, Alexandra Osika, Alexandra Price, Dr Chloe Salisbury, Emma Hoffstetter, Dr Emma Somogyi, Kim Henville, Dr Sarah Woodland, Stephanie David, Tim Magoffin, Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation.