USQ Teaching Academy

We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act,
But a habit.
.....Aristotle

Purpose

The USQ Teaching Academy celebrates excellence in learning and teaching at USQ through:

  • acknowledging good practice
  • profiling USQ success in learning and teaching
  • facilitating learning and teaching scholarship
  • collegiality and knowledge sharing
  • providing leadership opportunities
  • engaging in ongoing professional learning and reflective practice
  • enhancing university wide participation in learning and teaching initiatives
  • providing opportunities for international networking and community engagement.

Our members

The membership consists of USQ staff and teaching adjuncts who have demonstrated a positive influence in the University and can provide evidence of teaching excellence. See the members list and experts database for identifying members primary areas of expertise.

The USQ Teaching Academy is overseen by the USQ Teaching Academy Board

A set of Guidelines for Practice is available for Teaching Academy members.

What is teaching excellence

Teaching excellence and leadership in the area of learning and teaching is evidenced by receipt of learning and teaching recognition initiatives and grants, outstanding student survey data, evidence of learning and teaching scholarship and publications, contributions to USQ, national and international learning and teaching events and consistent innovative practice that is shared and acknowledged amongst peers.

Opportunities and benefits for members

  • Collegiality through a community of practice
  • group determined professional development
  • special invitations to USQ learning and teaching events
  • public recognition for teaching excellence
  • access to a network that will support continued enhancement of teaching excellence
  • capacity building for learning and teaching scholarship
  • contribution to track record in learning and teaching
  • evidence of success when applying for promotion and learning and teaching awards and grants
  • opportunities to develop leadership skills
  • opportunities to support and contribute to the implementation of USQ's learning and teaching policies, plans, procedures and standards
  • opportunities to support peers and raise USQ's learning and teaching profile through:

    Official launch

    Launch of USQ Teaching Academy

    The official launch of the USQ Teaching Academy was held on Thursday 4 September and included a presentation by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality) of the University of Western Sydney, Professor Geoff Scott, a welcome by USQ Vice-Chancellor and the official induction of the inaugural members of the Academy. 

    Photo (Left to Right) - Dr Janet McDonald (USQ and Mistress of Ceremonies), Siobhan Lenihan (Australian Learning and Teaching Council), Professor Geoff Scott (University of Western Sydney), Professor Bill Lovegrove (USQ Vice -Chancellor), Professor Lynne Hunt (USQ Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching).

    Media release

    USQ's New Teaching Academy to Focus on Excellence

    Teaching Academy Calendar of Events

  • 2010 Calendar of Events (PDF* 59.8kb)
  • Contact

    • Email - teachexcel@usq.edu.au

    • mentoring applications for learning and teaching grants, citations, awards and fellowships
    • fostering the development of learning and teaching scholarship at USQ
    • facilitating University side dissemination of innovative ideas
    • facilitating cross faculty dissemination of good teaching practice
    • peer review of pedagogical publications