Teachers and mentors can change the course of our lives for the better. If you’ve had a lecturer/ teacher/ TA/ supervisor here at Flinders who has made your life better, consider nominating them for a Student-Led Teaching Award. Details in post.
I’m trying to think back to my favourite teacher ever.
I’m not sure I can narrow down to one, but the teaching team at Flinders during my Clin Psych PhD was excellent. The combination of researchers/ clinicians who really knew their stuff and small class size made for my most enjoyable learning experiences.
Now is your chance as a student to formally acknowledge an educator who has made a real difference to your learning.
- Maybe they explained something in a way that finally clicked.
- Maybe they gave useful feedback that helped you improve.
- Maybe they made FLO easier to navigate (that would be a miracle!), created a welcoming class environment, supported you through a tricky assessment period, or helped you feel like you belonged in your discipline.
If someone comes to mind, the 2026 Student-Led Teaching Awards are your chance to say thanks.
Semester 1 nominations are now open and close on Monday 20 July.
Submit a nomination via the FUSA Student-Led Teaching Awards page
🎖️ What are the Student-Led Teaching Awards?
The Student-Led Teaching Awards, or SLTAs, are a student-run way of recognising Flinders educators who have had a positive impact on students’ learning and overall university experience.
The awards are led by students from start to finish. Students determine the categories, students nominate staff, and the winners are selected by a panel of student academic representatives from across the Colleges.
Winners are announced at the Celebration of Learning and Teaching at the end of November.
And these nominations matter.
Previous winners have said that receiving their award notification, and reading what students wrote about them, was one of the highlights of their year. Teaching can involve a lot of unseen work, so a thoughtful nomination can be a powerful reminder that the effort has made a difference.
🤔 Who can you nominate?
You can nominate staff across a range of categories, including:
College Student-Led Teaching Award + the University Ducks
For educators who provide an outstanding student experience through engaging teaching, supportive guidance, effective feedback, strong use of FLO, real-world connections, inclusive teaching practices, and more.
Teaching Assistant that Saved the Day
For teaching assistants, tutors, demonstrators, supervised study leaders and others who have provided guidance, support, approachability, communication, feedback, and encouragement.
Most Supportive Supervisor
For supervisors of dissertations, Honours projects, Masters or PhD research, or other research projects who have provided exceptional guidance and helped students feel part of a scholarly community.
Innovation in Online Teaching
For staff who use digital platforms like FLO in engaging, creative and inclusive ways, helping students participate, collaborate and connect online.
Outstanding Wellbeing and Student Support Award
For academic staff who prioritise student wellbeing, create inclusive and supportive learning environments, check in with students, signpost appropriately, support students during assessment, and promote positive mental and physical health practices.
You do not need to write a perfect nomination. You just need to describe what the staff member did and why it mattered to your learning or experience.
📅 Nomination dates
Semester 1 nominations
Open: Wednesday 3 June
Close: Monday 20 July
Semester 2 nominations
Open: Monday 14 September
Close: Sunday 18 October
Students who submit winning nominations receive a $50 gift voucher, which is a nice bonus, but probably not the main reason to nominate. The real value is giving someone well-deserved recognition for the work they have put into supporting student learning.
✍🏼 Take a moment to recognise good teaching
University can be busy. Assignments, exams, placement, work, life admin, and general survival tend to take up a lot of attention.
But if there is someone who has made your learning experience better this year, consider taking a few minutes to nominate them.
It is a small action from you, but it could be a very meaningful one for them. Just see the video below.
Visit the FUSA Student-Led Teaching Awards page to learn more and submit a nomination