ESA/UNSW Prize for Inspiring Ecology Teaching

Briefly explain the context of the ecology teaching, and address 1-2 of the criteria below. Nominations will be assessed based on the strength of their case and supporting evidence provided in relation to the selected criteria.

1. Approaches to teaching, the support of learning, or curriculum development that motivate and inspire students to learn ecology, and influence student thinking and increase student understanding of ecology.
2. Teaching that widens participation in ecology, including success in working with students of varied abilities and from a diversity of backgrounds.
3. Development and delivery of innovative and authentic assessment of student understanding of ecological concepts and development as ecologists; this could also include novel and innovative methods for providing rich and meaningful feedback.
4. Leadership, innovation, mentoring or scholarship that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or student experience in ecology.

Your application should be no more than 2 pages, with up to 2 pages of additional supporting material.

Main application (up to 2 pages): Context and history of 100 words, followed by the case for your achievements with respect to 1-2 of the criteria above.

Optional Additional materials (up to 2 pages, PDF): Evidence could include: photographs, screenshots of teaching materials, student evaluations/comments/feedback, other awards for teaching practice, and/or testimonials.

A panel of ecologists with teaching expertise, representing a cross-section of the membership, will be convened by the Director - Inspiring Ecology Teaching to review the nominations. Sincere efforts will be made to achieve a balance across the panel in terms of gender, career stage (early-career, mid-career and senior educators), and geography. Panel members will be requested to treat the nominations as in-confidence and to declare any conflicts of interest (real and perceived) to the Director - Inspiring Ecology Teaching. Conflicts likely to impact the integrity of the review process may require the recusal of panel members from part/all of the review of nominations.

The panel will meet via video conference to arrive at a recommendation for the winner of the ESA/UNSW Prize for Inspiring Ecology Teaching. The Director - Inspiring Ecology Teaching will present the panel recommendation to the ESA Board for formal recognition. Pending approval by the ESA Board, the Director - Inspiring Ecology Teaching will notify the winner and inform them of the obligations of the award.