The University of Newcastle, Australia

Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Teaching Excellence Award 2011 Early Career

Dr Michael Ondaatje

Michael works within the School of Humanities and Social Science, teaching American and African-American History.

Michael has been inspiring students to engage with American and African American history for six years, first at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and more recently at the University of Newcastle (UoN). In that time, he has employed innovative pedagogical practices and implemented research-led approaches to teaching and learning that have brought the past alive for students, engaging them fully and enthusiastically with course content and enriching their overall university experience. In addition to developing stimulating, cutting edge curricular, Michael has been highly effective at creating learning environments that set his students at ease, capitalise on their diversity and nurture their multiple talents. Michael is always accessible and supportive and his reflective teaching practices have resulted in consistently high student evaluations, an increase in history students pursuing postgraduate study and recognition from colleagues and industry alike. An inspirational early career academic, Michael has been awarded several prizes for teaching excellence at both UWA and UoN. In 2010, he also received an ALTC Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

2008 Award for Programs that Enhance Learning - Educational Partnerships and Collaborations with other Organisations

Associate Professor Alison Ferguson - 'The COMPASS Project'
The project was led by The University of Sydney.

2006 Award for Australian University Teaching - Early Career Academic

Dr Philip Morgan