USC lecturers gain $10,000 national awards
Two lecturers from the University of the Sunshine Coast this week received $10,000 awards for their outstanding contributions to student learning.
Cultural Studies senior lecturer Dr Karen Brooks and Marketing and Tourism lecturer Gayle Mayes each received citations from the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.
The citations are part of an Australian Government program to recognise and reward teaching excellence in higher education. They were presented at the first of five ceremonies across Australia on Monday 6 August in Brisbane.
Dr Brooks received her award for sustained public engagement in the field of communication and cultural studies resulting in both theoretical and practical learning outcomes for students.
The popular culture expert has established a national and international reputation for her work, is a newspaper columnist, regular social commentator on television and has had five fantasy novels published.
Dr Brooks said she was thrilled to have received the award.
“I think teaching and education are among the most important things in life,” she said. “To be rewarded for something that gives me so much personal and professional satisfaction is just amazing.
“The award recognises that good teachers can be facilitators for change in a positive way and it is a reminder that what we’re doing is worthy of recognition.”
Gayle Mayes received her award for enhancing students’ employability and work readiness by providing a motivational work integrated learning experience.
The 1992 Olympic kayaker and former adventure tourism business operator was delighted that her work in providing students with experiential education through tourism-related work placements was so highly regarded.
“The award is really fantastic recognition and a wonderful thrill,” she said. “I always thought there’d be so many people ahead of me.
“Hopefully, this will encourage other academics to look at their work and consider applying as well because we all tend to underestimate the contribution that we are making to students, USC and teaching and learning.”
USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas AM said the Carrick Awards were the most competitive and prestigious of their kind in Australia.
“For our staff to again figure so significantly is testament to the quality of USC staff and the benefits that are flowing through to students,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate the recipients on their outstanding successes."
The award money is to be spent by the recipients in furthering their learning and teaching practice or in the scholarship of teaching.
– Terry Walsh