CAULLT proudly presents the winners of the 2025 Academic Development Awards:

Academic Development Award

The Lift Fellowship Scheme: Collaborative Academic Development Across Regional Universities

Marie Foreman & Marlene Page (CQU), Deborah Thomas & Assoc. Prof. Seb Dianati (USQ)

The Lift Fellowship Scheme is an inter‑institutional academic development program between Central Queensland University and the University of Southern Queensland, grounded in Advance HE’s Professional Standards Framework 2023 and driven by a “lifting as you climb” philosophy that pools resources and expertise to meet regional needs. In its first year the scheme recognised 32 fellows, trained 24 reviewers and accredited 54 mentors, and produced stronger reflective practice, clearer teaching philosophies, improved student support, and a scalable model for equitable professional learning across resource‑constrained regional universities.

Peers’ Choice Award

AI as a Trojan Horse: Easing the Adoption of Active Learning

Dr Olga Kozar (Macquarie University)

Generative AI can reduce barriers to adopting active learning by supporting educators’ autonomy and competence. This program delivered practical, evidence‑informed professional learning grounded in Self‑Determination and Self‑Efficacy theories to enhance active learning, accessibility, and Universal Design. The program trained over 1,000 educators (average evaluation 9.7/10), produced immediate classroom uptake, widespread institutional and international engagement, published resources including an AI literacy module, and garnered keynote and conference invitations demonstrating significant impact.

These award-winning projects exemplify impactful, scalable practice. We invite colleagues to celebrate their success and consider how these ideas could inform their own teaching and development work