Flinders University was proud to host the 2025 South Australia and Northern Territory Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) Ceremony at the Flinders City Campus, Festival Plaza, bringing together award recipients, university leaders, colleagues and guests from across the higher education sector to celebrate excellence in learning and teaching.
The evening recognised nationally acknowledged achievements from institutions across South Australia and the Northern Territory, including recipients from Flinders University, Adelaide University and Charles Darwin University. The ceremony reflected the strength, collaboration and innovation occurring across our regional higher education community and the significant contribution educators make to student learning and success.
As host institution, Flinders was honoured to welcome attendees to the Flinders City Campus and facilitate an opportunity for colleagues from across institutions to connect, celebrate and reflect on the impact of their work. The evening featured a Welcome to Country and Yidaki performance by Petiola Wilson, followed by award presentations, recipient reflections and networking opportunities.
A particular highlight of the evening was the recognition of Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Crisp, recipient of the prestigious Career Achievement Award, acknowledging his sustained and outstanding contribution to learning and teaching across the higher education sector.
The celebration was especially significant for Flinders, with all four submitted nominations for the Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning receiving national recognition in this year’s awards.
The 2025 Flinders University Citation recipients were:
Dr Ali Enright
For leading the design and implementation of an innovative and relational whole-of-institution teacher-led and executed nudge protocol that demonstrably supports students early in their learning.
Passport to Recovery Team: Associate Professor Gareth Butler, Professor Kristin Ross, Professor Karen Burke da Silva, Dr Helen Carter, Dr Ryan Barring, Katie Cavannagh, Dr Julian Beaman, Dr Cassie Hoepner and Charles Li
For a highly successful and impactful, student-partnered citizen science initiative supporting Kangaroo Island’s environmental recovery through transdisciplinary collaboration and real-world sustainability education.
Dr Helen Harrison
For transforming physiology education and leading program-wide enhancements that embed metacognitive and active learning to improve student experience, retention and completion outcomes.
Dr Mai Ngo
For transforming students’ learning and employability success through inclusive and responsive approaches in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programs.
Throughout the evening, recipients shared reflections on their work and its impact on students and communities, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, inclusion, innovation and authentic learning experiences in higher education.
The Learning and Teaching Innovation portfolio would like to congratulate all recipients on this outstanding national recognition and thank the many staff involved in supporting both the award nominations and the delivery of this celebration event. It was a privilege for Flinders University to host this important sector event and celebrate the exceptional work occurring across South Australia and the Northern Territory.