Grants

UniSA offers internal Teaching and Learning Grants that support the needs of staff to undertake funded scholarly work to improve teaching and learning practice and align with strategic priorities. 

Funded projects usually involve investigating, developing, implementing, and evaluating initiatives that enhance the student experience and/or improve the quality of educational outcomes for students.  

Importantly, project work must be distinct from the core business normally associated with the initial or further development of course offerings. In other words, there is usually an element of innovation or exploration of new approaches to teaching and learning that goes beyond what is normally expected as part of a continuous improvement process. 

The TIU can provide advice on what to consider when applying for internal or external Teaching and Learning Grants as well as sources of support available to prospective applicants. 

At UniSA, we think of our staff as incapable of being defeated, overcome, or subdued – Unstoppable!  Building on existing excellence, Unstoppable Teaching and Learning Grants help seed the growth and implementation of innovative ideas in teaching and learning that realise the University’s strategic priorities and vision.

The Unstoppable Grants & Awards project, as part of the Academic Enterprise Plan, supports UniSA staff’s commitment to excellence, learning, and research through innovative projects which aim to transform our teaching and learning practices, build on existing knowledges, or seed larger nationally competitive grants or awards.

Two categories of Unstoppable Teaching and Learning Grants are available to UniSA staff; Early Career Academic Innovation Grants and Teaching and Learning Development Grants.

All funded projects must align with at least one of the following priority areas:

  • Programmatic approaches to curriculum design and assessment (E25)
  • Authentic Assessment (AEP 2.2)
  • Culturally responsive pedagogy (AEP 2.3)
  • Work Integrated Learning (AEP 3.3)
  • Innovations in blended and online education (AEP 2.1)
  • Access and equity (AEP 2.1)
  • Academic integrity (E25)
  • Student success (including retention; AEP 2.5)

Early Career Academic Innovation Grants

The main purpose of Early Career Academic Innovation (ECAI) Grants is to provide recipients with opportunities to test ideas that can be developed further with subsequent projects. Therefore, ECAI Grants are especially suited to applicants who are new to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), or those who are venturing into highly innovative approaches to teaching and/or curriculum design. Applicants must have less than 5 years’ T&L experience at a tertiary level. 

Teaching and Learning Development Grants

Teaching and Learning Development (T&L Dev) Grants provide broad scope for projects which advance curricular innovation, challenge complex problems, and enable collaboration across Academic Units or disciplines. These grants will be awarded to those who seek to demonstrate significant impact on current teaching and learning theory or practice to develop their ideas in a collaborative mode.

The key points of difference between the two Grant categories are summarised in the following graphic:

unstoppable grants.png

Visit the Unstoppable Teaching and Learning Grants SharePoint site for further information, including forms, instructions and timelines.

KEY DATES FOR AWARDS, GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

 

UniSA Early Career Academic Innovation Grants

2024

Elio Arruzza (ALH); Haley Vu (ALH) Empowering physiotherapy students to develop skills and knowledge through an innovative authentic assessment and feedback.

2023

Dr Daniel Harvie  (ALH) Immersive education: skill-based learning using volumetric video

Jonathan Fritsch  (UO) Encouraging Construction Management Students to Make Decisions Like Experts (using Interactive eLearning Scenarios)

Dr Sam Tuttle  (STM) Imperfect simulations of physical experiments.

Lisa Cunningham (ALH) Authentic Digital Resources for Radiation Therapy Mock Clinic.

Jamie Sorby (JUS) Indigenising curriculum by embedding Aboriginal perspectives and pedagogies.

Thilini Jayawickrama (STM) ‘Link in to Learn’:  Student success through a knowledge building activity in social media as a pedagogical tool: a case in construction management with ‘LinkedIn’

2022

Dr Katrina Li  (ALH) Empowering physiotherapy students to develop skills and knowledge through an innovative authentic assessment and feedback.

Dr Sarah Moulds (JUS) Belonging in the JUS classroom.

Dr Fatin Shabbar (JUS) Digital storytelling as a transformative and programmatic approach to curriculum and assessment design in Child-focused courses.

Joti Weijers-Coghlan (CTV) How did we do it? Articulating the methods, processes and learning outcomes of Design Construct’s built student projects to create learning material for architecture and construction related courses.

2021

Shayne Chau (ALH) Maximising undergraduate medical radiation students’ learning experiences using Cloud-based Computed Tomography (CT) software (SmartSimulators).

Susannah Emery (CTV) “Playing with game design theory”: playable lectures to provide immersive examples of theoretical game design elements.

Dr Hana Hadinejad (BIS) Champion in class, leader in assessment: A pilot study of the application of gamification for hospitality students.

Dr Michele Jarldorn (JUS) Dismantling and rebuilding HSP: A programmatic approach to student retention and academic literacy development through creativity, diversity and community.

Dr Annie Liang (STM) Remote Air traffic control (ATC) simulation tutoring assistant tool (E-tutoring).

Sandhya (Sandy) Maranna (ALH) Pilot project to create and implement online vivas to improve assessment of higher order skills in a capstone medical sonography course.

Dr Katica Pedisic (CTV) Drawing Plus: Amplifying communication through Augmented Reality.

 

UniSA Teaching and Learning Development Grants

2024/25

Louise Tier (ALH); Dr Saran Chamberlain (ALH); Dr Ben Sellar (ALH), Professor Mary Butler (ALH)

Teaching and Learning Lived Experience’: Curriculum co-production with experts by experience in UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance .

Dr Anson Chou (ALH); Elio Aruzza (ALH); Melissa Philpot (ALH), Yolanda Gomes (ALH)

Enriching operative theatre imaging education through computer-based simulation.

Dr Malgorzata Korolkiewicz (STM); Dr Nick Fewster-Young (STM); Associate Professor Wolfgang Mayer (STM)

Hi, I’m your bot study buddy! How can I help?’ - Harnessing the power of large language models to provide tailored study support for university students through an AI powered chatbot.

2023/24

Dr Amanda RIchardson (TIU); Dr Sarah Hattam (EDC), Dr Cate Hudson (JUS), Dr Georgina Heath (JUS), Mr Jordan Noacco (psychology honours student)

Attributional Re-training: A Support Strategy for Students Undergoing Academic Review

Dr Michelle Kelly (CHS); ), Dr Lyn Gum (CHS), A/Prof Lemuel Pelentsov (CHS), Dr Colin Ireland (CHS), Ms Maria Chilvers (CHS), Mr David Freer (CHS), Ms Sarah Hollands (CHS), Ms Sally Robertshawe (CHS), Ms Louise McGee (CHS), Ms Hayley Ruf (CHS), Dr Joanne Harmon (CHS), Dr Kevin O’Shaughnessy (CHS, Ms Darlene Archer (CHS), Dr Kather Hill (CHS), Dr Deryn Thompson (CHS), Ms Kim Gibson (CHS)

Co-designing and evaluating a bespoke debriefing script to enhance student learning and reflection for practice

Dr Elsayed Abdelaal Metwally (STM); Ms Liz Smith (STEM, Dr Abdullatif Lacina Diaby (UO), Dr Shokry Abdelaal (UO)

Mitigating the risk of academic misconduct using artificial intelligence through education

Dr Kim Munro (CTV); Dr Ben Stubbs (CTV), Dr Gun Lee (ARCIVE), A/Prof Kath Dooley (CTV)

Telling diverse, inclusive and interactive stories using immersive technologies: Fostering student success through creative collaborations

Dr Jiil Colton (EDC); Dr Amy Farndale (EDC), Sarah Forrest (EDC), Fiona Callaghan (EDC)

Engaging pre-service teachers in data literacy with authentic case study assessments

2022/23

Dr Chris Della Vedova (CHS); Dr Sarah Davey (CHS); Dr Andrea Stringer (CHS)

Development, implementation and evaluation of interactive oral assessment as an alternative for examinations in Clinical and Health Sciences and production of a best practice “toolkit”.

Dr Caroline Fryer (ALH);  Dr Anna Phillips (ALH); Sarah McMullen-Roach (ALH); Dr Helen Banwell (ALH); Emma Hiscock (ALH); A/Prof Gisela van Kessel (USO)

UniSA Learning Bytes for Clinical Educators: An online learning enterprise to support successful clinical education experiences for industry-based educators and allied health students.

2021/22

Stefanie Bucher, Dr Debra Rowett, Dr Scott Weeks, Dr Angela Berndt, Dr Emily Ward, Dr Kade Davison, Dr Carolyn Murray, Dr Ryan Causby (ALH)

Telepractice Education and Interprofessional Module (TEAM)

Rebecca Somerfield, Dr Damien Spry, Dr Jane Andrew, Dr Alice Dodd, Ms Susannah Emery, Mr John Gartland (CTV)

Communication and Media Clinic: An immersive program approach to graduate capability development

2020

Shiao-Lan Chou  (CMR), Ron McIver, Dr Theodore (Lei) Xu, Dr Ron Donato

From bricks and mortar to clicks and clouds. Creating a virtual tour of treasury technology through time

Dr Andrew Cunningham (INM), Liz Smith, Dr Ross Smith, A/Prof Stewart Von Itzstein

Learning professional skills through immersive virtual reality

Tarosh Jacob (UO), Dr Stephanie Centofanti  Dr Amanda Hutchinson 

Approaches to counselling and psychotherapy in the 21st century: Enhancing student learning and engagement through innovative digital learning resources

Dr Lisa O’Keeffe (EDS), Dr Amie Albrecht, Bruce White, Chelsea Cutting

Supporting and developing online learners’ collaborative problem-solving experiences (using 360o video and innovative pedagogy)

2019

A/Prof Katherine Baldock (HLS), Dr Katia Ferrar, A/Prof Nayana Parange

Preparing first year students studying on-campus for online learning: a pilot project

A/Prof Kathleen Heugh (CIL), Dr Enza Tudini, Dr Jeanne-Marie Viljoen, Dr Fiona O'Neill, Dr Julie Nichols, Dr Vandana Arya

Using human language technology to enhance academic integrity, inclusivity, knowledge exchange, student diversity and retention

Dr Micah Peters (NRC), A/Prof Kristin Carson-Chahhoud, Sarah McQuillen, Carole Gibbs, Imogen Ramsey

An interactive web-based resource for best-practice evidence synthesis projects for students and researchers

Dr Vijay Suppiah (PMB), Dr Matthew Sykes, Dr Tim Barnes, Dr Kristen Bremmell

Development of digital resources to advance the design and delivery of practical teaching across chemistry and pharmacy laboratories

Dr Jo Zucco (INM), Dr Ross T Smith, Shivvaan Sathasilvam

ARduino: An Augmented Reality tool to support student learning of Arduino microcontrollers - creating a digital learning environment to enhance student learning outcomes and engagement.

2018

Dr Connie Caruso (PMB), Prof Anthony Woods

Virtual microscopy: fostering globalisation in future professional practice

Dr Megan Cooper (NRC), Dr Angela Brown, Dr Nayana Parange, Amye Eden

Online Simulation Modules: Improving student competence, confidence and resilience

Prof John Fielke (EEE), Dr Romeo Marian, Dr Ke Xing, Patrick O'Sullivan

Re-engaging mechanical engineering students with relevant remote laboratory experiments with the emphasis on experimentation 

Dr Philip Roetman (NBE), Dr Mat Kor, Dr Tom Raimondo, Prof Ning Gu, Dr Martin Freney, Dr Alpana Sivam, Dr Sadasivam Karuppannan, Dr Rameez Rameezdeen, Jacqueline Jepson, Dr Ki Kim, Dr Jorge Ochoa, Dr Jun Ahn

Creating virtual environments for enhanced student learning and public engagement

 

2017 Projects awarded additional funding in 2018

Dr Nick Fewster-Young (INM), Dr Belinda Chiera, Dr Lisa Schultz

A personalised feedback mechanism for online assessment in service courses

 

2016 Projects awarded additional funding in 2017

Dr Ben Stubbs (CIL)

The continued exploration of virtual reality storytelling: Developing a learning environment where VR production and technological understanding enhance graduate capabilities

2017

Dr Ben Stubbs (CIL), Prof Bruce Thomas, Dr Ross Smith, Dr Carolyn Bilsborow

Exploring virtual reality in journalism: Establishing a learning environment where digital production and technological understanding enhance graduate capabilities

Dr Shepard Masocha (PSW), Dr Johanna Saltis, Dr Nadine Pelling

Development of a 3D simulation-based learning platform to enhance Clinical Psychology and Social Work students' cognitive decision making and emotion regulation strategies, needed for conducting suicide risk assessments and management

Dr Nick Fewster-Young (INM), Dr Belinda Chiera, Dr Lisa Schultz

A personalised feedback mechanism for online assessment in service courses

 

 

2016 projects awarded additional funding in 2017 to mainstream project outcomes

Dr Sean Pickersgill (SSL)

Team work, social constructivism and the Virtual Site

Eileen Giles (HLS)

Developing 3D virtual anatomy resources for use across disciplines

A/Prof Kerry Thoirs (HLS)

Teaching clinical communication skills: developing a flexible and experiential educational model using digital technologies for the health disciplines

2016

Dr Sukhbir Sandhu (MGT), Roger Edmonds

A location-based mobile learning framework

Dr Sean Pickersgill (SSL), Dr Rameez Rameezdeen, Dr Jeremy Coggins

OnSite2: Team work, social constructivism and the virtual site

Eileen Giles (HLS), Dr Nicola Massy-Westropp, Dr Arjun Burlakoti, Dr Harsha Wechalekar

Developing 3D virtual anatomy resources for use across disciplines

A/Prof Kerry Thoirs (HLS), Dr Rowena Harper, Dr Giordana Cross, Dr Sandra Ullrich, Jane Coffee

Teaching clinical communication skills: developing a flexible and experiential educational model using digital technologies for the health disciplines

Dr Paul Corcoran (NBE), Liz Smith, Deb Moulton, Dr James Ward, Dr Diana Quinn, Dr Tim Rogers

Program roadmap – a visual, interactive and self-regulating digital representation of the student learning journey

What's on: key dates

The critical dates page provides a snapshot of the professional development options offered by UniSA's Teaching and Innovation Unit, including symposiums, workshop dates, a summary of UniSA and external teaching awards and grants opportunities and their submission deadlines.

 

Find out more

 

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