The Federal Government’s Office for Learning and Teaching has recognised two individual academics and a group of teachers at Flinders with Citations under the Australian Awards for University Teaching.

The 2014 citations were announced this week by Education Minister Christopher Pyne.

Dr Julia Erhart of the Department of Screen and Media was recognised for “outstanding teaching in screen and media, through implementation of formative assessment and feedback and group-oriented learning activities that foster independent learning”.

Dr Cassandra Star in the School of Politics and Public Policy was cited for more than two decades of “empowering and supporting individuals to develop their political identity and engage with the political world, enabling active global citizens”.

The group award went to the Australian Foreign Policy Team based in the School of International Studies comprising academics Dr Maryanne Kelton, Ms Emily Bienvenue, Associate Professor Richard Leaver and professional staff member Ms Verity Kingsmill of the Career and Employer Liaison Centre.

They were acknowledged for their “design and implementation of the innovative, internationally recognised Australian Foreign Policy dual strategy in-person simulations, inspiring and enhancing student learning since 2008”.

The simulations, which involve students in intensive ‘hyphotheticals’ based around international crisis scenarios, have enlisted senior political figures including former foreign ministers Kym Beasley, Robert Hill and Alexander Downer as adjudicators.

Professor Andrew Parkin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), congratulated the recipients.

“These awards go to staff members who have gone to great lengths to provide innovative and original programs of teaching for their students.

“Flinders has a strong record of success in these awards, which reflects a broader culture of commitment to improving and refining approaches to teaching and learning across all our courses. Engaging students with their subjects and encouraging them towards independent thinking is precisely what university education should be all about.”

Flinders received three of the seven citations made to South Australian universities.