The development of an innovative, hands-on program that places first-year law students in the court room is one of eight University of Newcastle programs honoured by a prestigious Carrick Citation.

Four individuals and four staff teams have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to student learning by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.

Citations for leadership and creativity in developing an around-the-clock, flexible and innovative information and learning environment; and inspiring and motivating first-year science students through a nationally recognised, real-life approach to conservation education, are among the other achievements recognised by the awards.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Kevin McConkey, said Carrick citations were among the most competitive higher education awards in the nation.

"Citations recognise and reward the diverse contributions individuals and teams make to improving the quality of all aspects of teaching and learning," Professor McConkey said.

"Colleagues receiving citations this year span a range of disciplines, and these awards are strong evidence of the high quality of student learning at the University of Newcastle."

Recipients will be presented with their citations at a ceremony at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum at 4pm today.