Awards and recognition

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 (PDF*102kb) 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:
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

Official launch

Launch of USQ Teaching Academy

(L to R) – Dr Janet McDonald (USQ and Mistress of Ceremonies),

Siobhan Lenihan (ALTC), Prof Geoff Scott (University of Western Sydney), Prof Bill Lovegrove (USQ Vice-Chancellor), Prof Lynne Hunt (USQ Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching)

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 Professor Bill Lovegrove and the official induction of the inaugural members of the Academy.

Media release

USQ's New Teaching Academy to Focus on Excellence
USQ Teaching Academy Board

Contact

Email - teachexcel@usq.edu.au

*This file is in Portable Document Format (PDF) which requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Acrobat Reader may be obtained from Adobe.