English Australia IELTS Award for Academic Leadership


The IELTS Partners and English Australia recognise and celebrate those who make an outstanding contribution to quality in ELICOS in Australia through their work as academic managers with the English Australia IELTS Award for Academic Leadership.

An outstanding academic leader is someone who goes beyond their job description to inspire and support their staff and students to achieve their goals within the ‘system’ of their college and the local and/or Australia-wide context of ELICOS.

What you will win:

  • a certificate
  • an engraved trophy 
  • up to $1500 to cover return economy flights, accommodation, and expenses to attend the English Australia Conference Gala Dinner to accept the award
  • use of the English Australia award-winner logo on your email signature and marketing materials.

The winner will also be profiled on the English Australia and IELTS websites. All nominees receive a certificate of nomination from English Australia. 

The person nominating the award winner will also receive a complimentary registration to the Australian International Education Conference co-hosted by IDP Education and the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA).

Who is eligible?

The award is open to those working in the following roles at any Australian-based organisation registered on CRICOS to deliver ELICOS: 

  • academic managers
  • directors of studies
  • assistant directors of studies
  • head teachers
  • senior teachers
  • program managers.

The nominee must have been working at the nominating centre for at least one year prior to the time of nomination and cannot be a member of the Board of English Australia.

The winner will show outstanding academic leadership through:

  • demonstrating the skills, knowledge and qualities that underpin academic leadership
  • leading and inspiring others within their college as well as in the broad context of ELICOS
  • contributing to the enhancement of ELICOS student outcomes.

How to nominate

Nominations for the Academic Leadership award opens in March. Details about how to nominate will be available on the English Australia website.

Previous winners

YearWinner
2023Richard Pincus, Campus Director, Universal English College
2022Lara Heenan, NSW ELICOS Academic Manager, Greenwich English College 
2021Maria Naidoo, Education Manager, University Academic English, UNSW Global, and Sandra Pitronaci, Director of Studies & University Pathways, ILSC Sydney
2020 Jennifer Williamson, Global Curriculum Director
2019Carolyn Matthews, Centre for English Teaching at the University of Sydney
2018Anne-marie Wright, UWA CELT
2017Barbara Craig, Macquarie University English Language Centre, and Jennifer Coster, Monash College
2016Lynda Beagle, Director, RMIT English Worldwide
2015Sheree Millen, Director of Studies, Curtin English, Curtin University
2014 Stephen Heap, TESOL Director of Studies; ICTE-UQ
2013Karen Benson, Director of Studies, Strathfield College
2012 Ruby Biscuit, National Manager, Ability English
2011(no award conferred)
2010 Paulo Vieira, Director of Studies, Bond University English Language Institute