Digital media guru recognised with national teaching award

A passion for creative learning has seen CQUniversity's Head of Course for Digital Media recognised with a national teaching award.

Associate Professor Steven Pace was last night named a 2022 Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) recipient in the category of Teaching Excellence.

The Award recognises Australia's most outstanding university teachers who have demonstrated excellent leadership through sustained commitment to innovation' delivery of quality teaching and sustained dedication to improving the student experience and learning outcomes.

Assoc Prof Pace has a passion for applying user experience design principles to pedagogy' with the aim of creating engaging learning experiences for diverse cohorts of students.

CQUniversity Vice-President (Academic) Professor Michelle Bellingan congratulated Assoc Prof Pace and said the honour reflected his dedication to student-focused teaching.

"I am delighted that Steve has been recognised through this prestigious' national teaching award'" Professor Bellingan said.

"Steve is a dedicated academic who goes above and beyond to ensure that his students are well-taught' supported and prepared exceptionally well for their future careers in Digital Media'" she said.

"He is well-known and applauded for his innovative teaching practices such as conducting masterclasses with industry professionals for more than a decade. This contemporary learning and teaching experience demonstrates his desire to ensure his students graduate with authentic industry skills."

Over the past 30 years' Assoc Prof Pace has taught more than 14'000 students' including a higher-than-average proportion from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Based in Mackay' he is a champion of accessible education for regional students and a pioneer in online learning and teaching.

Assoc Prof Pace co-founded CQUniversity's digital media course for flexible' multi-campus delivery in the 1990s when digital media technology and online learning were in their infancy.

In the decades since' he has led many innovative projects that have enhanced the learning experiences of students.

Assoc Prof Pace's exemplary teaching has been previously recognised with national awards including the 2011 National ICT Educator of the Year and Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning award.

He is an Advance Queensland Community Digital Champion and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

To explore CQUniversity's Digital Media courses visit cqu.edu.au/courses/digital-media-communication-arts.