Citation for an Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning

For academic staff and general staff, as individuals or in teams

The Citation is designed to reward a range of direct and indirect contributions to student learning by general or academic staff. An individual or team could be nominated for making a contribution to learning and teaching that is considered “excellent” for diverse reasons and in almost unlimited ways.

Some possible examples (for illustrative purposes only) of “excellent” contributions could include Citation for:

     • Excellence in the leadership of a faculty-wide transition program for first year students.
     • Novel and effective approaches to engaging first-year students in collaborative learning and peer review in a large class setting.
     • Sustained commitment to personalised administrative support for undergraduate or postgraduate students that has enhanced the overall student experience.
     • Creation of innovative and imaginative resources that engage science students in current disciplinary issues and develop critical thinking skills.
     • Specialist expertise in the design and implementation of practical classes leading to enhanced student engagement.
     • Provision of programs in learning support for international students.
     • Exemplary supervision and support of postgraduate research students.
     • Leadership in the design and implementation of a program of peer feedback for academic staff to enhance teaching skills.
     • Strategic promotion of information literacy programs tailored to the needs of specific student groups.
     • Creation and leadership in assessment approaches that recognise the different learning styles within a diverse student cohort.
     • Development of new strategies to ensure effective coordination of teaching in a cross-faculty undergraduate or postgraduate program.

Eligibility Criteria
1. All general, academic, and sessional staff as well as institutional associates of the College can be nominated.
2. A nominee must be a member of staff, or associated with the ANU College of Law during the period of the Education Committee’s deliberations and decision.
3. The nomination must relate to a contribution made whilst the nominee has been a staff member or associated with the ANU College of Law (and relate to an ANU course, program, student experience etc.).
4. The nomination must relate to a contribution made within the two years prior to the close of nominations.
5 . Both team and individual nominations are encouraged. Teams may be of any size however, nominations may name no more than five members. A team name is strongly recommended in instances where a team consists of more than five members.
6 . Previously unsuccessful Citation nominees are eligible for renomination. Previous Citation winners are ineligible for renomination within three years of receiving the award.
7 . Nomination for, or receipt of, a Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning does not affect eligibility for nomination for other College Excellence in Education awards. However, recipients of an Award for Teaching Excellence (at College and University level) are not eligible to apply for a Citation for an Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning.
All general staff, academic staff, sessional staff and institutional associates of the College can be nominated. The nominee must have been in one or more of these roles at the ANU for 2 or more years. The nominee must also be a member of staff at the ANU during the period of the Education Committee’s deliberations and decision.

Selection Criteria
Citation nominees are asked to select one or more of the criteria listed below (as appropriate for their particular contribution). Nominees must provide evidence to support their claims against selected criteria. Listed below are some examples of the way in which the criteria may be demonstrated. Applicants for the awards should not feel limited by these illustrative examples.


     1. Approaches to the support of learning and teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn
     This may include fostering student development by stimulating curiosity and independence in learning; contributing to the development of students' critical thinking skills, analytical skills and scholarly values; encouraging student engagement through enthusiasm shown for learning and teaching; inspiring and motivating students through high-level communication, presentation and interpersonal skills; enabling others to enhance their approaches to learning and teaching.

     2. Development of curricula, resources and services that reflect a command of the field
     This may include developing and presenting coherent and imaginative resources for student learning; implementing research-led approaches to learning and teaching; demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of the field of study in the design of the curriculum and the creation of resources for learning; communicating clear objectives and expectations for student learning; providing support to those involved in the development of curricula and resources; contributing professional expertise to enhance curriculum or resources.

     3. Approaches to assessment, feedback and learning support that foster independent learning
     This may include integrating assessment strategies with the specific aims and objectives of student learning; providing timely, worthwhile feedback to students on their learning; using a variety of assessment and feedback strategies; implementing both formative and summative assessment; adapting assessment methods to different contexts and diverse student needs; contributing professional expertise to enhance assessment and/or feedback.

     4. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals
     This may include participating in the effective and empathetic guidance and advising of students; assisting students from diverse backgrounds to participate and achieve success in their courses; influencing the overall academic, social and cultural experience of higher education.

     5. Scholarly activities and service innovations that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching
     This may include showing advanced skills in evaluation and reflective practice; participating in and contributing to professional activities related to learning and teaching; coordination, management and leadership of courses and student learning; conducting and publishing research related to teaching; demonstrating leadership through activities that have broad influence on the profession.

In considering the application the selection committee can take into account:
• gained recognition from fellow staff, or from elsewhere within the ANU or the broader community
• the extent to which nominated applications can demonstrate that their contribution has influenced student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience;
• the extent of creativity, imagination or innovation, irrespective of whether the approach involves traditional learning environments or technology-based developments; and
• the information contained in student evaluations, references and the description of the contribution submitted by the nominee. The Committee may contact nominees and/or referees for clarification or further information.

The criterion chosen by applicants should be determined by the nature of the contribution made to student learning. The number of criteria nominated does not affect the Education Committee's assessment of an application.

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