Teaching Award Finalists

Awarded to an individual or team of teachers who have made an outstanding impact on student learning.

1. Dr Tim Connor, School of Law and Justice

   With innovative assessment practices and a high-expectations/high-support strategy, Dr Tim Connor has transformed his final-year compulsory Company Law course from a subject that few students wanted to take to one of the most productive and highly valued learning experiences in his School. His teaching is praised by colleagues both at our University and other universities and embraced by his students, who regularly draw on the skills and knowledge gained in Company Law to win national essay competitions.

2. Associate Professor Karen Livesey, School of Information and Physical Sciences

   Associate Professor Karen Livesey has developed new physics curricula over the past five years, preparing students for diverse careers. She wrote 16 weeks of content for new courses and developed innovative computer laboratories. Students rate her teaching 5/5 in most courses. She was the only physicist nationally to win a 2023 Australian Award for University Teaching. Her command of the field is shown in the adoption of her materials by university teachers internationally.

3. Dr  Sarah Valkenborghs, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy

   Dr Sarah Valkenborghs is a passionate early career lecturer (five years post-PhD) whose innovation and leadership has enhanced learning, teaching and student experience within the courses she delivers. Sarah’s outstanding contributions draw on the scholarship of teaching and learning as well as consultations with industry professionals to ensure required graduate attributes are embedded in undergraduate learning. Sarah creates authentic assessments and learning environments to ensure the next generation of students emerge as work-ready graduates.