Elizabeth Minchin recognised for teaching excellence

Elizabeth Minchin, Professor of Classics at the School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, has been appointed Senior Fellow of the UK-based Higher Education Academy (HEA).

ANU has become the first Australian university to achieve accreditation through HEA, with 11 academics recognised for teaching excellence.

(L to R) Professor Minchin, with fourth year honours students Rachel Larobina and Alex Madeira

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington, says she’s delighted at the number of ANU staff recognised.

“These results are an indicator of there being a rich body of evidence about individual and team contributions to educational innovation at ANU,” she says.

“Achieving the fellowship required putting together a portfolio of evidence demonstrating both innovation and impact within and beyond ANU.”

Their achievements mean an enormous amount to the University.

“It signals to the sector our commitment to evidence-based demonstration and recognition of educational excellence and shows colleagues within ANU how they too might be recognised for their efforts.”

Professor Minchin, who received the Senior Fellow for her contribution to the College of Arts and Social Sciences, says she’s proud to receive the recognition.

“Anything you can do to further the interests of teaching in higher education is well worth doing,” she says.

Professor Minchin, who helps to oversee the University’s Classics Museum at the School of Cultural Inquiry, says she’s hoping to use the fellowship to further the University’s commitment to teaching excellence.

Dr Salman Durrani, from the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, was listed for his commitment to education.

“I hope that my fellowship at HEA can inspire other academics and researchers to strive to develop and enhance their learning and teaching and also to seek the professional recognition of their teaching,” he says.

He describes the fellowship as a portable asset, which is increasingly recognised by higher education institutions worldwide.

“In the UK, less than one per cent of academics have recognition at the Senior Fellow level, so this is a strong recognition of excellence in learning and teaching,” he says.

The HEA’s mission is to enhance the quality and impact of learning and teaching in higher education. ANU recently went into partnership with the HEA to recognise the quality of professional development in learning and teaching.

Professor Michael Martin from the College of Business and Economics (CBE) was appointed Principal Fellow. A further 10 academics were appointed as Senior Fellows.

The Senior Fellows recognised by the HEA were:

Dr Beth Beckmann, Centre for Higher Education, Learning and Teaching, Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Dr Salman Durrani, College of Engineering and Computer Sciences
A/Professor Miriam Gani, College of Law
Dr Carol Hayes, College of Asia and the Pacific
Professor Elizabeth Minchin, College of Arts and Social Sciences
A/Professor Kristen Pammer, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment (CMBE)
Professor Michael Platow, CMBE
Dr Krisztina Valter, CMBE
Professor Michelle Salmona, College of Business and Economics
Professor Craig Savage, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences