Chemistry Educator of the Year Awards

This award is designed to encourage developing teachers, and is open to tutors, lecturers and senior lecturers (academic levels A, B and C) teaching in undergraduate or postgraduate University courses.

About this award

These awards are designed to encourage developing teachers and educators and are open to teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education. Excellence in teaching will be honoured with up to three awards, one each for primary, secondary and tertiary education initiatives.


The winners will be encouraged to submit an article, on their contributions to teaching chemistry, for publication in the RACI “Chemistry in Australia" Magazine.


Criteria:

  • The awards require either self-nomination or nomination by another RACI member. 
  • The candidates are required to be a financial RACI member for a minimum of three years. 
  • The candidate, in their job role should be applying the scientific skills learnt whilst studying. 
  • The candidates must be in the early stages of their career (within 8 years of their highest qualification – career breaks will be considered).

Provide:

  • A statement (no more than 3 pages) of your overall approach to teaching and learning plus information and examples from your practice that illustrate and support your approach.
  • A current CV and any involvement in an RACI activity would be looked upon favourably.
  • Email & telephone contacts of two RACI members who know the nominee personally and who are prepared to act as referees should be provided.


Please email as a single PDF document the above requirements when applying.

After the closing date, no further nominations for the award shall be accepted.

If in the opinion of the Board there is no candidate who has sufficient merit, the Board may refrain from making an award. The decision of the Board is final and no discussions or correspondence will be entered into.

The RACI National Awards are open from 1 April to 30 June.
During this time, you are invited to submit applications below.

Applications & nominations

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Would you like to sponsor this award?

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Awardees

This award was initiated in 2007 and sponsored by Pearson Education until 2013. The award is designed to encourage early career teachers, and is open to tutors, lecturers and senior lecturers (academic levels A, B and C) teaching in undergraduate or postgraduate University courses. The recipient is invited to author a perspective article in the RACI journal Chemistry in Australia describing their contribution to chemistry teaching. Box III lists the recipients of this award since inception.

2022 Stephen George-Williams University of Sydney
2021 Reyne Pullen University of Sydney
2020 Madeleine Schultz Deakin University
2019
Elizabeth Yuriev Monash University
2018 Christopher Thompson Monash University
2017 Erica Smith University of New England
2016 Liz New The University of Sydney
2015 Natalie Williamson The University of Adelaide

2014 Daniel Southam  Curtin University
2013 Gwen Lawrie   The University of Queensland
2012 Peter Rutledge  Peter Rutledge 
2011 Mark Ellison  The Australian National University
2010 Siggi Schmid  The University of Sydney
2009 Ian Jamie  Macquarie University
2008 Greg Dicinoski  The University of Tasmania
2007 Magda Wajrak  Edith Cowan University

Alexandra Yeung

  If I could leave one mark on the chemistry profession, it would be to inspire students to enjoy and understand chemistry while being an inclusive and motivating leader in science education. My involvement with RACI spans from my student days to serving as secretary of the Chemical Education Division and contributing to the International Conference on Chemical Education 2018. I am dedicated to fostering an environment where all colleagues feel trusted, valued, and supported. 

Dr Alexandra Yeung

2023 RACI Chemistry Educator of the Year Award recipient