We are delighted to publicly announce the recipients of the International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association 2026 Awards:
Excellence in Teaching (Early Career)
Awarded to:
Dr. Nyasha Dzenga, University of Montana Western, United States
Dr. Dzenga is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Montana Western in the United States. Her work touches on how faculty can successfully integrate major research projects with full-time teaching in an intensive 18-day block model, demonstrating how strategic planning, time and energy management, perseverance, and student collaboration can make research directly relevant to classroom practice while supporting professional growth.
Excellence in Teaching
Awarded to:
Dr. Gayathri Rajaraman, Victoria University, Australia
Dr. Rajaraman is a Senior Lecturer, teaching and research academic at Victoria University in Australia. She is also a foundation member of the First Year College and holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education from Victoria University. Her work entails how higher education can redesign assessment for the GenAI era while preserving academic integrity, equity, and student well-being through evidence-based, inclusive, and data-informed approaches, while keeping student welfare in mind.
Excellence in Teaching
Awarded to:
Dr. Ali Reza Alaei and Dr. Reza Ghanbarzadeh, Southern Cross University, Australia
Dr. Alaei is a senior lecturer of Information Technology and Computer Science at Southern Cross University in Australia. Dr. Ghanbarzadeh is a senior lecturer at the School of Business and Tourism at Southern Cross University. The winners’ work evolves around reconceptualising block delivery as a pedagogical amplifier, showing that improvements in student success, GPA and satisfaction are contingent upon curriculum alignment, teaching quality and assessment design rather than compressed timeframes alone.
Excellence in Pedagogical Research
Awarded to:
Associate Professor Amanda Muscat, Victoria University, Australia
Dr. Muscat is a Senior Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education and Course Chair for the Master of Teaching (Primary) at Victoria University in Australia, and a Research Fellow with the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC). Her work encompasses qualitative research of the VU Block Model across three disciplines, which found that deliberate scaffolding, purposeful sequencing, teacher presence, clear learning intentions, and formative feedback support student engagement and learning, while compressed delivery and diverse cohorts present key teaching challenges.
Congratulations to you all. IBILTA recognises your commitment to excellence and passion for education.
Purpose of Awards
The IBILTA Awards aim to recognise and promote excellence and innovation in block and intensive modes of teaching as well as:
- Recognise and promote excellence and innovation in block and intensive delivery modes of teaching
- Provide an opportunity for academics to demonstrate their learning and teaching expertise on an international level
- Highlight contributions to block and intensive teaching in Higher Education
Award Categories
Excellence in Teaching Award
This award recognises commitment of academics to block/intensive modes of teaching, who have delivered significance improvements to the learning experience or employment outcomes for students.
Excellence in Teaching (Early Career) Award
The early career award acknowledges the outstanding contributions of academics who have limited block/intensive teaching experience and who have made significance improvements to the student learning experience.
Excellence in Teaching (Programs that Enhance Learning)
Award Block and intensive modes of teaching often have active learning approaches embedded in the learning program. This award recognises a curriculum that enhances learning through innovative block and intensive teaching practices. It may include engagement through a partnership with another organisation or other external collaborations with industry.
Excellence in Pedagogical Research Award
The Pedagogical Research Award acknowledges research contributions to the advancement of block teaching. Individual and team applications will be considered. IBILTA 2026
Research Poster Award
This award recognises the best Research Poster presented at the 2026 IBILTA Conference
***Please note one award will be granted per category. In exceptional circumstances, such as if the award review panel is divided they reserve the right to award an additional applicant
Eligibility :
Please note that all award categories are exclusively open to individuals who are presenting at the IBILTA 2026 Conference and who are current members of IBILTA. Applicants must meet both of these requirements to be eligible for consideration.
Teaching Award
The Teaching Award is open to presenters at the IBILTA 2026 Conference who are current IBILTA members and teach in block or intensive modes at a Higher Education Institution.
Early Career Award
The Early Career Award is open to presenters at the IBILTA 2026 Conference who are current IBILTA members and are academics at a Higher Education Institution with limited experience teaching in block or intensive modes. Sessional academics are strongly encouraged to apply.
Research Award
The Research Award is open to presenters at the IBILTA 2026 Conference who are current IBILTA members and have produced research outputs related to pedagogy, teaching, and learning.
Individual and Team Applications
Applications may be submitted by individuals or teams. Team applications must comprise a minimum of two (2) members and a maximum of ten (10) members. All team members must be current IBILTA members, and at least one team member must be presenting at the IBILTA 2026 Conference.
We encourage all eligible presenters and members to apply and share their achievements in block and intensive education. The IBILTA Awards celebrate excellence in teaching, innovation, and research, and provide an opportunity to showcase outstanding contributions to the global block and intensive learning community.
Application Requirements
Candidates are required to submit a statement presenting a clear and compelling case for their nomination. This statement should articulate the nominee’s contribution, significance, and impact in teaching and learning and address following criteria:
Criteria
All applications must address the following criteria (1 page limit):
- Approaches to Block or Intensive teaching, research and/or support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
- Innovation, leadership or scholarship in block or intensive teaching that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience.
- Community Recognition (publication, institution, peers, previous awards, other organisations, accreditation, etc.)
In addition, candidates must provide evidence demonstrating achievement and impact. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to:
- Letters of support from colleagues familiar with the nominee’s teaching context
- Evidence of sustained high-quality teaching performance (e.g., teaching evaluations)
- Student recognition or feedback
- Teaching or educational awards
- Success in securing competitive educational research funding
- Relevant scholarly publications
The full application should comprise (a collated pdf):
- A brief Curriculum Vitae (1-2 page limit)
- The nomination statement (1 page limit)
- Supporting evidence of achievement (maximum of three pages)
In assessing nominations, the selection panel will also consider the nominee’s contributions to IBILTA’s research meetings.
Email applications to the IBILTA Vice President:
Professor Puspha Sinnayah: puspha.sinnayah@vu.edu.au