Innovative Monash Law Teachers win ALEA Awards
Two Monash Law teachers have been recognised for teaching innovation at the Australian Legal Education Awards (ALEAs).
Karen Abidi and Lisa DiMarco won the ALEA award for Excellence in Teaching (Sessional). This award recognises their innovative approach to teaching and learning design of a core, foundational subject to enhance student learning and engagement (Contract).
The objective of the ALEAs is to recognise, encourage, and promote excellence in innovation teaching and learning in the discipline of law. The ALEAs are a joint initiative of the Council of Australian Law Deans (CALD) and Legal Education Associate Deans (LEAD).
Interim Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor Marilyn Pittard, Lisa DiMarco, Karen Abidi and Professor Melissa Castan at the Australasian Law Academics Association 2024 conference.
The awards were presented at the Australasian Law Academics Association 2024 conference which was held at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia from 3-5 July.
The key highlights of Ms Abidi and Ms DiMarco’s achievement include:
- Innovative approach to teaching and learning design of a core, foundational subject to enhance student learning and engagement.
- Grounding in the literature, demonstrating understanding and application to teaching practice.
- Strong student response to the learning design illustrated by SETU data pre and post introduction of the revised learning program.
- Recognition within our institution via teaching and learning awards.
Monash Law’s Associate Professor Emmanuel Laryea nominated the innovative teaching duo for the award.
The ALEA award for Excellence in Teaching (Sessional) which was presented to Karen Abidi and Lisa DiMarco.
Ms Abidi and Ms DiMarco accepted their award in person, alongside Interim Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor Marilyn Pittard and Professor Melissa Castan.
Professor Pittard said, “This award is testament to Ms Abidi and Ms DiMarco’s innovation and excellence in teaching in Contract. It reflects their dedication to teaching excellence over many years. We in the Law Faculty are so very proud of them and thrilled that they are recognised in this way!”
“Huge congratulations go to Monash colleagues Karen Abidi and Lisa Di Marco. And thanks to Interim Dean Marilyn Pittard for the Faculty support for the nomination and the winners,” said Professor Castan.
Lisa DiMarco expressed her thanks to Professor Pittard and Professor Castan
“I am delighted to have received the Australian Legal Education Award for Excellence in Teaching (Sessional) with my colleague and dear friend Karen Abidi for our work over many years teaching and remodelling the Contract Law LLB units at Monash Law,” said Ms DiMarco.
“Thank you to Professor Luke Beck and Professor Liz Campbell as past and present Associate Deans of Education for supporting our award applications, and a special thank you to Dr Emmanuel Laryea for your mentoring and guidance over many years.”
From all at Monash University, Faculty of Law, a very special congratulations to Karen Abidi and Lisa DiMarco on winning the ALEA award for Excellence in Teaching (Sessional) 2024.