Australian Awards for University Teaching

Although, universities are being drastically affected by the global COVID19 disruption, the government recognises the vital role of they in our communities: educating our students, developing the workforce for the future, and continuing to develop new knowledge through our research.

To recognise the extraordinary work of our academics who are making major adjustments to their courses and taking on tasks beyond normal duties, Universities Australia (UA) have decided to continue to offer its awards scheme in 2020. This will ensure that the incredible efforts of our academics will not go unnoticed. We acknowledge the difficult circumstances the sector is facing, but encourage you to support your academics to reflect on their creativity, innovation and leadership under this period of uncertainty.

About AAUT

The Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) were established in 1997 by the Australian Government to celebrate and reward excellence in university teaching. Since then, the Awards have become a valued form of recognition for university educators Australia wide.

The AAUT recognise the impact that educators have on the learning and teaching experiences and outcomes of university students. They celebrate and reward programs and practices that support students and enhance learning. They promote excellence in learning and teaching in all aspects of higher education. Recipients, with the support of their institutions, contribute to systemic change in learning and teaching through the ongoing sharing and dissemination of knowledge. This year, there are four Award types promoting and recognising excellence in learning and teaching.

2020 AAUT Key Dates

Tasks	Dates
Nominee Registration	Monday 24^th August to Friday 4^th September 2020
Submission Upload	Monday 14^th to 25^th September 2020
Notification of Outcome	January 2021
AAUT Awards Ceremony	February 2021

Contact Details

AAUT Awards Team [email protected]

Award Types

Citations for outstanding contributions to student learning (Citations)

Citations recognise and reward the diversity of contributions made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning. They are awarded to individuals or teams who have contributed to the quality of student learning in a specific area of responsibility over a sustained period, whether they are academic staff, general staff, sessional staff or institutional associates.

In 2020, up to 100 citations will be awarded across the following seven categories:

Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies (including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Medical Sciences and Nursing, etc.)
Early Career (for teachers with less than five years cumulative experience teaching in higher education institutions)
Humanities and the Arts
Law, Economics, Business and Related Studies
Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education (individuals who must demonstrate their contribution to Indigenous education)
Physical Sciences and Related Studies (including Architecture, Building and Planning, Engineering, Computing and Information Science)
Social and Behavioural Sciences (including Psychology and Education)

Maximum of six Citation submissions per institution.

Awards for programs that enhance learning (Program Awards)

Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning recognise learning and teaching programs or services that make innovative and outstanding contributions to student learning and/or the quality of the student experience. They are awarded to programs and services that have set high standards for education support in Australian universities.

In 2020, one award will be given in each of the following categories (six awards in total):

Widening participation
Educational Partnerships and collaborations with other organisations
Innovation in curriculum design and pedagogy practice
Postgraduate education
Student experiences and learning support services
Global citizenship and internationalisation

Maximum of two Program Awards submissions per institution across all categories.

Awards for teaching excellence (Teaching Awards)

Awards for Teaching Excellence recognise Australia’s most outstanding university teachers or teaching teams who have demonstrated excellence, leadership and sustained commitment to teaching and learning in higher education. Teaching Awards reward the enrichment of student experiences and the improvement of learning outcomes through innovation and the delivery of quality teaching over a sustained period.

In 2020, one award will be given across each of the following categories (seven awards in total):

Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies (including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Medical Sciences and Nursing, etc.)
Early Career (for teachers with less than five years cumulative experience teaching in higher education institutions)
Humanities and the Arts
Law, Economics, Business and Related Studies
Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education (individuals who must demonstrate their contribution to Indigenous education)
Physical Sciences and Related Studies (including Architecture, Building and Planning, Engineering, Computing and Information Science)
Social and Behavioural Sciences (including Psychology and Education)

Maximum of three Teaching Awards submissions per institution across all categories.

Award for Australian University Teacher of the Year

The Award for Australian University Teacher of the Year is the premier university teaching award. Among the Teaching Award recipients, one individual with an exceptional record of advancing student learning, educational leadership and scholarly contribution to learning and teaching will be awarded the Award for Australian University Teacher of the Year.

In selecting the recipient of the Award for Australian University Teacher of the Year, particular attention is given to the evidence demonstrating advanced skills in evaluation and reflective practice; participation in and contribution to professional activities related to learning and teaching; coordination, management and the leadership of courses and student learning; publication of research related to teaching; and demonstration of leadership through activities that have broad influence on the profession.

How to Nominate

Each nominee is required to prepare a submission consisting of a written statement, and relevant supporting documents. This submission is referred to as a “nomination” Once completed, the Institutional Contact Officer (ICO) is responsible for the online submission of all nominations for their institution. The ICO will be notified of the award outcomes via email.

Eligible Institutions and ICOs

Nomination is open to academic, general and sessional staff (full-time or fractional, continuing or contract) of an Australian institution. Only those institutions listed in Table A and Table B of the Higher Education Support Act (2003) are eligible to nominate for the AAUT.

All nominations must be submitted by your Institutional Contact Officer (ICO). The ICO is the central point of contact for all AAUT related matters. Click here for the updated ICOs list from the eligible institutions.

2020 AAUT Nomination information packs

Resources for Nominees

News and Events

2020 AAUT Newsletters

The AAUT Newsletters are available to download:

2019 AAUT Newsletters

The 2019 AAUT Newsletters are available to download:

Past Award Recipients (2012 to 2019)

2019 AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

The Psychology of Criminal Justice, The University of Queensland
Professor Blake McKimmie, Professor Barbara Masser and Professor Mark Horswill transforms student learning by using a novel dramatic narrative to engage and motivate students to engage in evidence-based learning practices throughout the semester. Click here for the video link.

Past Award Booklets

Award Ceremonies

2019 AAUT Awards Presentation Ceremony was held at National Convention Centre Canberra.
View AAUT Awards Presentation Ceremony photos

Western Australia: Hosted by The University of Western Australia
View WA Ceremony photos

Please note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the events listed below have been postponed/cancelled until further notice.

New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory: Australian Catholic University regrets that this event is now cancelled.
South Australia/Northern Territory: Host by SANTPEN (South Australia and Northern Territory Promoting Excellence Network)
Queensland: Host by The University of Queensland
Victoria/Tasmania: Host by Swinburne University of Technology

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