We all know that Macquarie is positively swimming with great educators – staff that are transforming lives every day through inspirational teaching.

Last night the University paused to celebrate this excellence at the 2016 Vice-Chancellors Learning and Teaching Awards, which recognises and rewards Macquarie staff that have gone above and beyond in contributing to our culture of transformative learning.

Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton says the awards not only recognise individual excellence, but remind us all of our potential to make significant and lasting changes in the world.

“Learning and teaching are the vehicles by which we build a better future for ourselves and the planet,” he notes. “Our research achievements are for nothing if we cannot pass on the discoveries we make to future generations and empower them to build upon it.”

“Events like this remind us that we are each capable of achieving great things when we decide to do so.”

Our congratulations to all the winners:

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching Excellence

Jean Brick
Linguistics
Over a 17-year teaching career at Macquarie, Jean has pioneered the teaching and research of academic communication through use of metaphors focused on apprenticeship, voice and identity. Jean has developed an innovative teaching program that builds students’ ability to participate in the discussion that constitutes academic communication, while facilitating the changes in perspective and writer identity that are involved in becoming effective academic communicators in their learning, and then professional communicators in their careers.

Dr Taryn Jones
Health Professions
Dr Jones, an Early Career Researcher, has had a significant impact on learning and teaching within the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) program. She has consistently delivered an exceptionally high standard of teaching to inspire her students, and drive student engagement through a student-centred approach. She empowers her students to see things through different lenses, to reflect on their own beliefs and practices, and to develop a passion for attaining excellence in healthcare delivery. She has a deep understanding of the programmatic design of the DPT program, while also delivering excellence in learning and teaching at a detailed level.

 

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning

Associate Professor Barbara Griffin, Dr Ben Searle, Dr Monique Crane, Linda Yeomans and Professor Mark Wiggins
Organisational Psychology program
Macquarie’s Organisational Psychology program has become the flagship program in Australia and illustrates best practice in an evidence-based approach to postgraduate education. The team is lead by Associate Professor Barbara Griffin, who has engaged effectively with practicing psychologists and field supervisors, and the College of Organisational Psychologists to ensure the supply of the next generation of researchers and practitioners.

Vice-Chancellor’s Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning

Dr Stephen Collins
Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies
For the development of innovative and original resources that enhance student engagement and learning.

Dr Tanya Evans
Modern History, Politics and International Relations
For adopting flipped learning methodologies enabling history students to become critical thinkers who are reflective, relate well to others and consider their worldly contributions.

Corrinne Franklin
Indigenous Studies
For fostering an integrative, interactive and transformative approach to teaching that motivates and inspires students’ learning

Dr Julie-Anne Long and Dr Jon Burtt
Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies
For an outstanding contribution to facilitating student engagement and learning through innovative approaches to dance and performance practice that influence, motivate and inspire students.

Dr Meena Chavan
Marketing and Management
For sustained leadership in experiential and work integrated learning approaches for the transformation of students into employable graduates with strong social community value.

Dr Andrew Davidson and Mary Simons
Clinical Medicine
For the development and delivery of a modular program of Evidence-Based Practice across the spectrum of medical training at Macquarie University.

 

Watch video interviews with more of the winners on YouTube.

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Join us in congratulating the winners in the comments below. Hear more about how we’re creating a culture of transformative learning at the DVC Academic Town Hall on 3 November.