The University of Newcastle, Australia

Philip Matthias works within the School of Drama, Fine Art and Music. He is the director of the award-winning University Chamber Choir. He lectures to undergraduate students in a variety of music subjects and teaches practical lessons in pipe organ and chamber choir. He also supervises postgraduate students. Over the past few years Philip has been working within his school to help revolutionise the course content and repertoire to incorporate current practices and expectations in the profession. Philip also demonstrates his leadership through choral directing, which has had a broad influence on the music profession. Philip's current teaching methods provide students with the means to develop their creativity, professionalism and scholarship while he continues to pursue new and innovative ways of teaching traditional and contemporary music in an exciting and relevant way.

Brendan Boyle works within the Newcastle Business School teaching International Business Environment and Strategy units and the first unit of the Faculty's new undergraduate International Business major. Brendan demonstrates a pedagogical commitment to student-focused learning and has worked to re-design the units he teaches so that they are more student-focused and pedagogically sound. He motivates a diverse cohort of postgraduate learners and capitalises on the opportunities class diversity presents for learning. Brendan has demonstrated the ability to teach to culturally and linguistically diverse students in both large and small classes in universities in Ireland, Spain, Malaysia, and Australia. His teaching is enhanced by his own understanding of variations in learning styles and his focus on providing opportunities for timely formative and summative assessments.

Kit Messham-Muir works in the School of Drama, Fine Art and Music. Two required first-year art theory courses are the mainstay of his teaching. Over the past eighteen months, Kit has worked to rejuvenate and refine these two courses in hopes of improving the students' experiences in their critical first year. He has developed online self-assessment tasks, introduced clear assessment rubrics, and provides immediate feedback on student presentations. In addition, he has developed an interactive Blackboard course site, which now includes a series of weekly online Discussion Board tasks to scaffold students' learning and sustain student engagement. Kit has clearly demonstrated his desire to spark students' curiosity, his ability to assist students to connect ideas and see the relevance of art theory to art practice, and his innovative approaches to engaging first-year students.

Philip Clausen and William McBride are both graduates of the University of Newcastle and are now Senior Lecturers in the Discipline of Mechanical Engineering with the School of Engineering. Their particular area of expertise is Computer-Aided Engineering and the application of these techniques to Engineering Design. Both have a passion for teaching that is well recognised and respected by students in Mechanical Engineering. The courses they have developed link theory to engineering practice, providing students with a connection between scholarship and ‘real world’ engineering. Phil and Bill have demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to effective and innovative teaching. Their dedication and enthusiasm have assisted them in developing courses that are interesting and engaging to students, and their teaching excellence is acknowledged and lauded by industry bodies. They are outstanding role models for both students and colleagues.

Wendy Amosa completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle and is now a lecturer in the School of Education. Wendy’s particular interests are in multicultural education, English education, teaching for social justice, and pedagogy. Wendy truly inspires her students to meet high expectations, to become outstanding teachers, and to engage fully in the learning opportunities she creates. The degree to which Wendy’s students value her approach is reflected in the fact that she was ranked 2nd place in the Australian Lecturer of the Year 2008 competition. Wendy’s innovations in curricula and resources highlight the extent to which she indeed lives by her own teaching philosophy and commitment. Her course design is consistently characterised by intellectual rigour and creativity. Wendy generously shares what she knows and skilfully mentors colleagues. Wendy Amosa is an exemplar for others and an outstanding recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Learning Support for an Early Career Academic.

Marita Lynagh and Sue Outram are lecturers in the Discipline of Health Behaviour Sciences in the School of Medicine and Public Health. Between them, they have a combined teaching experience at the University of Newcastle of 39 years. Marita and Sue have developed, coordinated and taught innovative courses in a range of schools across the University, including Nursing, Health Sciences, Education and Medicine.  They have taken a leadership role in delivering undergraduate and postgraduate courses that inspires students to learn through their focus on meaningful and professionally relevant curricula. They are exemplars of the highest quality teaching, helping students to develop the professional skills and confidence as graduates in diverse areas including public health and health promotion, clinical communication skills, sexuality, and loss and grief. Dr Marita Lynagh and Dr Sue Outram are outstanding role models for students and colleagues alike.

David Palmer is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education. David's work focuses on the important task of encouraging positive attitudes towards Science among students in primary teacher education programs. David has an impressive record of challenging and inspiring students through his enthusiastic and creative approaches to learning. He has led his students to outstanding achievements in national awards schemes. He produces graduates who are deeply committed to science education and confident in the steps they can take to educate others. Dr David Palmer's enthusiasm and commitment has an enormous impact on students and their learning experiences - he is a role model for students and colleagues alike.

Sharon Cooper is a Lecturer in the School of Education in the Faculty of Education and Arts. Sharon's success in motivating and inspiring students to learn is attributable to her own deep knowledge of her field, and to the meaningful and authentic learning environment she creates. Sharon has an empathy for the full range of students with whom she works and an ability to make complex ideas accessible. Her teaching strategies help students become confident in taking learning risks, and demonstrate that outstanding results can be within anyone's reach.  Sharon is passionate about excellence in teaching. She takes on challenging tasks and leads by example. Her commitment to positive learning outcomes is an inspiration to colleagues and students alike.

Steffen Lehmann is the Professor of Architectural Design in the School of Architecture and Built Environment. Since arriving at the University in 2005 Steffen has set to work reconnecting the architectural profession, the University, and the city of Newcastle, with amazing energy and enthusiasm. Steffen's international experience and outlook is welcomed by students and prepares them for architectural practice in a world of rapid change. Steffen has created a wide range of scholarly activities and supported architecture students to lead interdisciplinary design projects ethically and collaboratively. He nurtures critical thinking and provides opportunities for students to be active and creative stewards of the local built environment. Steffen's award reflects his approach to teaching, which is professional, passionate, intense and stimulating.

Katherine Lindsay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Law. Katherine brings passion, commitment, and excellence to all she does. She balances this with modesty in her own achievements and enthusiasm for the achievements of her students. For well over a decade she has been working independently and collaboratively to build learning environments in which all students can flourish. Her vitality and leadership in the teaching and learning of law are reflected in the generosity of her assistance and her support of her colleagues as they develop as teachers. Her passion for scholarship and professionalism in teaching and learning inspire in her students a very active and creative engagement with legal materials as well as the development of critical and independent thought.

Mrs Katherine Lindsay gives her best and draws out the best in others. She is a role model for us all.

Mitchell O’Toole is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education. His energy and enthusiasm together with his commitment and expertise make him a teacher of distinction. Mitch has written and published resources for university teaching, school science teaching, staff professional development and literacy research. He has a genuine commitment to assisting students from diverse backgrounds to become teachers and he offers an open-door approach that students greatly appreciate.

Dr Mitch O’Toole is a very strong and active teacher who is highly regarded by students and colleagues.

Frans Henskens is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His commitment to teaching is widely recognized by his colleagues and students. Frans gives one hundred per cent to his students, drawing on his varied life experience and impressive research and professional practice to provide a significant learning experience. His teaching-related activities include programme co-ordination, review and advisory boards, accreditation, and a key role in the initiation of the Gifted and Talented Programme that allows exceptional students to undertake first year University courses while attending high school.

Dr Frans Henskens’ enthusiastic dedication to excellent teaching makes him a role model for students and colleagues alike.

Gjyn O’Toole lectures in occupational therapy in the School of Health Sciences. Occupational therapy values holism, respect for others, and therapeutic use of self and client-centred practice. The profession strives to empower individuals to value and believe in themselves through self awareness and self acceptance. Through Gjyn’s teaching she provides learning experiences that challenge and empower students to reach their potential in every area of their lives, especially professionally.

Ms Gjyn O’Toole’s students develop the confidence to be effective, innovative and creative occupational therapists, able to practice wherever they choose in the world.

Tom Griffiths is a Lecturer in the School of Education. He brings a sophisticated perspective to his teaching that stimulates and challenges his students. He prompts them to think critically and to consider the complex relationship between education, society, and principles of social justice. His commitment to these principles, reflected in his national and international research and teaching practice, helps to produce informed, reflective graduates with a deep understanding of our world and their future role as educators in society.

In the important task of preparing tomorrow’s teachers, Dr Tom Griffiths’ contribution is invaluable.

Ruth Stockdale (Right) and Rosalie Bunn (Left) are former Open Foundation students who now hold lecturing and administrative positions in the program. Between them they have been associated with Open Foundation for more than three decades – an inspiring commitment to the program. Ruth and Rosalie are testament to the concept that with drive and passion you can do anything you set your heart on. Ruth and Rosalie are valued not only for their professional contributions, but also the commitment and motivation they bring to their work everyday.

Their achievements are a reflection of the outstanding work of the Open Foundation team.

Dr Morgan is a lecturer in Health and Physical Education in the School of Education. He has recently been successful as a chief investigator on a National Health and Medical Research Council grant to investigate the effect of various educational programs for children and parents on childhood obesity and has been awarded an early career researcher grant from the University of Newcastle investigating the classroom teacher and barriers affecting the delivery of PE. Dr Morgan’s doctoral thesis won the Newcastle Institute for Educational Research (NIER) Doctoral Prize for Best PhD (2003) and the ACHPER/AARE Biennial National Doctoral Thesis Award (2004).  His PhD tested a multi-level structural equation model focusing on teacher efficacy and outlined recommendations to improve PE teacher education for pre-service teachers. He has disseminated his PhD findings at national and international conferences and published in peer reviewed journals. He currently is co-supervising four PhD students.

John has published several articles and conferences papers arising from this and other research dealing with sentencing and related aspects of the criminal justice system. John currently lectures in various courses taught by the School of Law, including Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Advanced Criminal Law and Sport and the Law. John completed his PhD in 2003. His thesis involved an in-depth analysis of the natural-life sentence for murder in New South Wales and the question of equal application of the law in sentencing. John has published several articles and conferences papers arising from this and other research dealing with sentencing and related aspects of the criminal justice system. John lectures in various courses taught by the School of Law, including Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Advanced Criminal Law and Sport and the Law.

Clare's main research activity is in examining food intake in children today and how it contributes to the obesity epidemic. She is an active member of the Dietitians Association of Australia and chaired the development of the Best Practice Dietetic Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obesity for Adults. She was awarded her PhD in 1999 for research examining appetite and nutritional status in young people with cystic fibrosis. Currently her main research activity is in examining food intake in children today and how it contributes to the obesity epidemic.

 Clare is also well known around Australia and within DAA as a media spokesperson and commentator on nutrition.

He is universally regarded as an excellent teaching practitioner by students and colleagues alike. He has conducted frequent in-service courses for University and NSW DET staff on innovative teaching technologies and the application of technology to the learning process. He has published numerous journal articles and presented at local, national, and international conferences. He has interests in the utilisation of ICT in the teaching process, and is heavily involved in assisting other teachers to evaluate and make appropriate use of new learning technologies.

Dr Cynthia Webster - Faculty of Business & Law

Dr Kevin Lyons - Faculty of Education & Arts

Dr Jill Gibbons is the convenor of the Social Work program at the University of Newcastle, which has developed an innovative experience-based approach to education. The model integrates the learning of theory and practice and social work levels of intervention (casework, group work, community work, research and policy) using authentic social work tasks in classroom learning and assessment in order to engage students’ interests and focus their learning skills. In an age where information is readily and overly available and learning content can rapidly go out of date, the approach is not on “What to learn” but “How to learn”.

Dr Geoff MacFarlane is an early career academic teaching ecology and biology within the School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology. Although only teaching since 2001 at this University, Geoff’s achievements, enthusiasm and commitment to teaching include the completion of a professional qualification in tertiary teaching, the use of innovative methods and approaches to teaching practice, contribution to peer education through delivery of a course in the University’s tertiary teaching practice graduate certificate, a commitment to teaching and learning governance within this University, and finally an active research interest in teaching and learning in the Biological Sciences.

Adam McCluskey was educated at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. He received a BSc(Hons) Chemistry in 1986 and commenced doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr Ian Dunkin that year as the same institute. Awarded PhD in 1988. My initial postdoctoral training was with Prof Curt Wentrup at the University of Queensland (1988-991). Undergoing a change in research direction I joined Prof Ron Quinn's medicinal chemistry research group at Griffith University, Qld (1991-1995), at which time I was offered a lecturing position at the University of Newcastle December 1995.

I was awarded my PhD from Trinity College, Dublin in 1992. Having completed a thesis entitled Perspectives on the nature and role of urban planning in capitalism, I commenced my research and teaching career in a contract position at the University of Wollongong that same year, and took up my position at the University of Newcastle in July 1993. I became senior lecturer in 1999 and Associate Professor in 2005. Over the last decade I have developed an international reputation for research onurban governance, policy and planning in the context of globalisation; transformation of the role of the state and its institutions; changing state/market/civil society relations; and their changing scale organisation and scale politics. Over the last 5 years, I have published 14 refereed journal articles, 6 refereed book chapters, 1 book and presented 15 conference papers or invited seminars. I have been a visiting fellow at the Universities of Dublin, Glasgow, Auckland and Durham.