Recognising Teaching Excellence: Awards, Grants and Promotions

Outstanding teaching by those in the University of Sydney community is recognised in many ways.

Teaching Awards

Teaching awards provide another way for outstanding teaching to be recognised. Awards are offered by the Faculties, the University, and the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, as well as other groups, such as those below. Anybody interested in applying for a teaching award is encouraged to take part in the ITL workshops for prospective applicants.

The ITL offers a range of activities to support staff in applying for these awards and provides advice to intending applicants. The application processes for the teaching awards and grants are managed by the ITL. For academic support contact Alison Kuiper.

NSW Quality Teaching Awards
The Quality Teaching Awards are open to permanent, part-time and casual government and non-government pre-school, early childhood, primary, secondary, university, TAFE and community education teachers. The awards are conducted by the Australian College of Educators, a national professional association, and presented by the NSW Minister for Education and Training. The Quality Teaching Awards recognise and applaud accomplished teaching practice through a rigorous process involving referees’ reports, professional learning portfolios and workplace visits. Teachers participate in the awards on a voluntary basis.
View the Guidelines for the awards including application forms.

Several University of Sydney staff have won these prestigious awards. If you are interested in applying for one of these awards you are encouraged to contact one of the University’s past winners (PDF).

The University Co-operative Bookshop Excellence in Teaching and Community Award
The purpose of this award is to promote, recognise and reward teaching practices that offer a fulfilling and well-rounded student-centred experience including access to academic and support resources and appreciation of the University of Sydney community. The purpose of this award is to promote, recognise and reward teaching practices that offer a fulfilling and well-rounded student-centred experience including access to academic and support resources and appreciation of the University of Sydney community. Further information.

Grants

A range of university and national competitive grants and fellowships are available to university staff who wish to pursue particular projects related to teaching development.

Promotions

The academic promotion process at Sydney builds in the requirement that in order to be promoted – even on a Research Focused pathway – an applicant must demonstrate Superior achievements in teaching. There is also the option of being promoted at all levels (including to Professor) on the Education Focused pathway, primarily on the basis of a staff member’s exceptional teaching. The ITL offers support to applicants in preparing a convincing promotion case for Teaching.