CASS staff awarded for outstanding teaching
The University’s finest educators have been recognised for their dedication to teaching and engagement with students at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Education last month.
Four CASS staff received awards, with an additional five staff from the College nominated.
A short summary of the CASS recipient and nominees is listed below. More information is available online in the Recognising Excellence publication.
Congratulations to all those who received awards and nominations.
CASS Vice-Chancellor’s Award recipients
Dr Alison Behie, School of Archaeology & Anthropology
Award: Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
In just two years at ANU, Dr Alison Behie has become an integral part of the School of Archaeology and Anthropology through the development of three new research-based courses that substantially increased biological anthropology course offerings – a field which is unique to Australian institutions.
By exposing students to research both in the classroom and in the field, with her primate behaviour field school in Cambodia, Alison has effectively combined practical research with theory. This is crucial for students to become independent learners who are able to identify their own strengths, passions and goals.
Dr Stephen Loy, School of Music
Award: Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
Dr Stephen Loy joined the ANU School of Music in 2010, teaching first-year music theory. Drawing on his expertise in diverse fields of musicological study, he has since developed and taught programs in music theory and music history, as well as developing themed interdisciplinary courses in the cultural study of music.
In 2013, Stephen authored an application securing a Vice-Chancellor’s teaching enhancement grant to develop an online course in music skills for commencing first-year students.
Dr Simone Dennis, School of Archaeology & Anthropology
Special Commendation: Excellence in Supervision
Dr Simone Dennis came to the school of Archaeology and Anthropology in 2008. As a comprehensively and formally trained educator of Honours and HDR students, Simone quickly became involved in convening the school’s Honours program and its PhD methods training course.
Access to all anthropology HDR students, as well as those from other disciplinary backgrounds, allowed Simone to appreciate how important a collaborative, hands-on approach is to the success of HDR students. As a result, Simone applies these principles to her supervisory practice. Her ‘learning by doing’ approach turns out beautifully and comprehensively trained graduates who are research-ready, teaching-ready and have a track record of publications in their area of expertise.
Ms Grazia Miccichè, School of Literature, Languages & Linguistics
Special Commendation: Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
Grazia Miccichè was appointed the lecturer of Italian language and culture at the ANU Program of Italian studies by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her almost thirty-year-long teaching career has been fuelled by her desire to find new ways of engaging students in a journey of cultural and personal discovery.
Grazia has incorporated new technologies in her teaching methodology, while, at the same time, keeping focused on the importance of maintaining a passionate and compassionate dialogue with her students. Over the last couple of years, student evaluations for her courses have often reached an appreciation level of 100 per cent.
Nominees
Candidates for Teaching Excellence
Dr Alastair MacLachlan, Research School of Humanities and the Arts
Dr Sharon Peoples, Centre for Heritage & Museum Studies
Dr Maria Rost Rublee, School of Politics & International Relations
Candidate for Excellence in Supervision
Associate Professor Dr Helen James, Australian Demographic & social research Institute
Candidate for Excellence in Tutoring or Demonstrating
Dr Rohan Nicol, ANU School of Art