Portfolio Development and Teaching Awards
Recognising and Awarding Teaching Excellence
Teaching Awards
The Centre for Transformative Learning is dedicated to heightening the profile and value of teaching activities, collaboratively engaging in evidence-based research and enabling key teaching innovations. We work to provide support, to advise, to recognise and to facilitate all those involved in teaching and learning at UL. A key avenue for recognising and endorsing teaching excellence is through the Teaching Excellence Awards.
As teaching and learning is becoming an increasing focus of strategic attention across further and higher education, engaging in these award processes provides clear evidence of commitment to teaching and performance as a teacher. The process of preparing a teaching portfolio will provide an opportunity to reflect on and gain increased insight into practice as a higher education teacher.
If you are a committed teacher, and if you consider your teaching approach to be particularly innovative or effective, we invite you to submit a nomination for consideration for the awards outlined below. Alternatively, you may wish to nominate a colleague within your institution who you feel would merit recognition through the award process.
UL Teaching Excellence and Pedagogic Support Awards
The Excellence in Teaching awards are open to all those who teach including those who provide pedagogic support of learners in UL. There are three award categories:
1. Annual faculty-led awards (individual)
This category recognises individual submissions that demonstrate discipline-specific excellence, impactful learning outcomes and innovative and effective assessment practices.
2. Annual faculty-led awards (team)
This category recognises Teams who engage in collaborative efforts to advance teaching and learning excellence—across or within disciplines—are eligible to submit. Each team must include at least two members and be led by an academic. Submissions may involve academics from any discipline and/or individuals providing learner support. The role and contribution of each team member must be clearly outlined.
3. Annual award for excellence in the provision of pedagogic support
This category is open to individuals or teams directly involved in pedagogic support—such as librarians, lab supervisors, educational technologists, learner support staff, educational developers, and technical officers. Team submissions must include at least two members, be led by a staff member in a learner support role, and may also involve academics.
Regional Teaching Excellence Award
The Regional Teaching Excellence Award
Through the award process, the consortium institutions have collaborated to create new networks of teachers in higher education working together to reflect on their practice, gather meaningful evidence about the quality and nature of their teaching activities, and apply the principles of best practice to their work as teachers in higher education.
If you are a committed teacher, we invite you to submit a nomination for consideration for the award. Alternatively, you may wish to nominate a colleague within your institution who you feel would merit recognition through the award process.
Training and support will be available in all institutions to assist those who wish to participate, and your local Teaching and Learning Advocate will be available to help you to get your portfolio started and provide support throughout the process.
Please see Frequently Asked Questions for further information.
Excellence in Teaching Awards 25/2026
Regional Excellence in Teaching Awards 25/2026
Dr Christina O’Connor, Associate Professor in the Department of Management & Marketing, Kemmy Business School; Dr Shalini Singh, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Sciences; Dr Adam Toth, Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Biomechanics in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences; Prof. Shane Kilcommins, UL President
