Exceptional educators celebrated in national teaching awards
Two academics from the University of Newcastle have been recognised for their innovative and creative teaching styles at the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).
Established in 1997 by the Australian Government, AAUT honour and recognise excellence in university teaching.
Associate Professor Nancy Cushing and Associate Professor Myles Young have been awarded Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning which honour the diversity of contributions made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning in higher education.
Associate Professor Nancy Cushing
School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Science (History)
Associate Professor Nancy Cushing has been awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for her groundbreaking work in citizen social science that has reshaped how students engage with the history of crime and justice in Australia.
Over three years, Associate Professor Cushing was part of a cross institutional collaboration with Dr Vicky Nagy (UTAS) and Dr Alana Piper (UTS) that invited more than 800 students to step into the role of real researchers, transcribing and analysing handwritten historical prison records. By integrating research-based learning into the program students were given a rare opportunity to contribute directly to a major national research project.
The course transformation saw significant increases in student success, motivation, and enrolments, with the students having a stronger sense of connection to the human stories behind Australia’s criminal past.
Associate Professor Myles Young
School of Science (Psychology)
Associate Professor Myles Young has been awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for his evidence‑based, human‑centred teaching approach.
Associate Professor Young's psychology courses are among the highest-rated at the University of Newcastle, reflecting his commitment to authentic, practice-oriented learning that fosters a sense of belonging, builds confidence, and prepares students for their professional careers. He has significantly improved the educational experience for more than 1,500 psychology students and established himself as a leading educator within the university community.
Contact
- University of Newcastle Media team
- Email: media@newcastle.edu.au
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