Applications open for 2020 JERAA Teaching Awards

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September 4, 2020

Applications are open for the 2020 JERAA Teaching Awards.

This year’s awards have been expanded and provide opportunities for journalism academics new to teaching in the university environment to apply.

The Outstanding Teaching in a Journalism Program is now open to sessional and casual staff as well as ongoing and fixed term staff. Applicants must have at least one year’s experience teaching journalism. The award attracts a $2000 prize.

JERAA VP (Awards) Jeanti St Clair said the eligibility had been broadened to recognise the contributions of sessional and casual journalism academics, particularly at a time of increasing precarity in the university sector.

This year, JERAA has expanded the teaching awards to include a new award for Innovation in Online Teaching (the COVID-19 pandemic edition), attracting a $1000 prize. Finalists must give a five-minute presentation at the 2020 JERAA Conference, with the award judged by popular vote.

“This award provides us space to recognise that 2020 had a significant impact on our teaching delivery with the further shift to online delivery of journalism coursework,” Ms St Clair said. “And the presentation model will be a fun way for us to share what we have learned about teaching during a pandemic.”

The 2019 winner for the inaugural Outstanding Teaching in a Journalism Program Award was RMIT Industry Fellow Kafcaloudes for his outstanding work in coordinating the coverage of Election 2019. Kafcaloudes was the executive producer for the 120-strong team for the three-hour program that was broadcast on community television and The Junction’s website. The show included students from more than 20 universities across Australia.

Full application requirements and judging criteria is available on the JERAA website. Applications close October 30, 2020.