2021 Australian Awards for University Teaching Winners Announced
Monash educators have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to student learning, educational programs and teaching excellence in the national awards program.
The national awards for university teaching were announced on 23 February, with Monash individuals and teams recognised through awards in three categories: Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning and Awards for Teaching Excellence.
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
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. The awarded citations exemplify the commitment of Monash Educators to excellence in assessment, professional practice, inclusivity, Indigenous peoples, cultures and knowledge.
Animating Science Team
Professor Helen Abud (Team Lead), Associate Professor Priscilla Johanesen, Dr Danielle Rhodes -
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Citation: Inspiring students to creatively engage in biological science education by animating molecular and cellular biology concepts.
The Animating Science Team is awarded a citation for instigating a non-traditional assessment task that challenges students to work collaboratively to create scientifically accurate animations that explain molecular and cellular biology concepts. Animation is well known as a highly effective tool for learning, and is especially useful for learners trying to grasp complex molecular and cell biology processes. The semester-long project challenges students to create scientifically accurate animations that explain molecular and cellular biology concepts through collaborative teamwork. This innovative technology-based assessment empowers students to create their own learning resources and promotes deeper learning of molecular and cell biology. An example of transforming and diversifying assessment for a changing future, this initiative has been recognised locally, nationally and internationally.
Collaborative Care Curriculum
Associate Professor Fiona Kent (Team Lead), Mrs Amanda Anderson, Professor Tina Brock - Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Associate Professor Arunaz Kumar, Mrs Lorraine Walker, Associate Professor Caroline Wright - Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Citation: A cross-faculty leadership team co-designed, implemented and evaluated an innovative Collaborative Care Curriculum to prepare health students for the critical skill of collaborative healthcare practice.
Traditionally, health care training occurs within single-profession silos, where students learn about other professions or disciplines, but rarely with or from other health providers. Collaboration is critical for patient safety. The Collaborative Care Curriculum brings together interprofessional education literature, interprofessional education theory, accreditation standards, students and patient advocates to explicitly outline requirements around person-centred care, interprofessional communication, role understanding and collaboration within and across teams. Recognised nationally and internationally, this initiative pioneers a model for safe, efficient and integrated healthcare.
Gukwonderuk Indigenous Academic Team
Professor Karen Adams (Team Lead), Ms Colleen Kelly, Ms Petah Atkinson, Ms Rose Gilby, Dr Doris Paton - Faculty ofMedicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Citation: Gukwonderuk Indigenous Academic Team leading change in cultural safety and Indigenous health education.
The Gukwonderuk Unit Indigenous Academic Team is awarded a citation for its work in designing learning experiences to strengthen health profession students in providing cultural safety. The team designed and delivered a high quality, structured program embedded within the learning for students undertaking multiple disciplines across Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. The work has been presented nationally, internationally and has prompted research publications related to Indigenous health and cultural safety.
Award for Programs that Enhance Learning
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. The Program Award for 2021 recognises innovation and excellence in authentic and reflective assessment.
Integrating Science And Practice (iSAP) authentic learning and assessment program
Professor Marilyn Baird, Dr Kirsten Schliephake, Dr Allie Ford, Dr Liesl Heinrich - Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
iSAP adopts an innovative and authentic approach to assessment to support the development of graduates who are critical thinkers and able to actively engage with case scenarios and professional issues to make informed decisions and reflect on their practice. The program integrates the elements necessary for students to develop expertise through sound theoretical knowledge, practical application, metacognitive and reflective skills. Engaging in the five elements of an iSAP allows students to think and act as practitioners, preparing them for similar situations in placements or future careers and ensuring the best possible outcome for their client/patient through use of evidence coupled with reflection in action and reflection on action.
Award for Teaching Excellence
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 p
eriod.
Award for Teaching Excellence (Health)
Associate Professor Michelle Lazarus - Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Associate Professor Michelle Lazarus is driven by a desire to impact student learning both within and beyond her field of clinical anatomy. Her innovative, evidence-based curricular adaptations are globally implemented because of their efficacy in balancing science discipline content with clinical skill development. Her award recognises approaches that challenge traditional separation of theoretical content from clinical skills. She passionately advocates for evidence-based educational initiatives, and the unification of discipline content with clinical context locally, nationally, and internationally. Her work, often challenging unproven educational conventions, yields purposely developed, innovative and effective clinical anatomy resources and teaching practices. Her recent work in fostering learner uncertainty tolerance (UT) is innovative and has prompted change in educational approaches across sectors nationally and internationally.
Each of these awards celebrates the impact of Monash educators on student learning, and recognises educational excellence and commitment to high quality student outcomes. We are proud to have such outstanding educational leaders at Monash.
Monash University will be hosting the official awards ceremony for Victorian and Tasmanian awardees later in the year.