HEA Recognises Excellence in Teaching and Learning at National Awards Ceremony

Posted: 12 March, 2025

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) today hosted a National Teaching and Learning Awards ceremony at the Aisling Hotel, Dublin, to celebrate outstanding achievements in teaching and learning in Ireland’s higher education sector. The event recognised teams from institutions through two key award streams: the SATLE Impact Award and the DELTA Award.

The Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) Award, established in 2018, acknowledges discipline groups that demonstrate a sustained commitment to teaching and learning enhancement. The latest DELTA Award was presented to:

• General Nursing Team, Dundalk Institute of Technology, led by Ann Everitt-Reynolds

The Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) Impact Award recognises initiatives that have demonstrated significant impact in national priority areas including digital transformation, academic integrity, and education for sustainable development. The inaugural SATLE Impact Award recipients are:

• Academic Integrity and Digital Futures, University College Cork, led by Dr Loretta Goff
• Reusable Learning Resources (RLR), Munster Technological University, led by Shane Cronin
• Sustainability in the Arts Festival, South East Technological University, led by Dr Hazel Farrell
• Inclusive Learning at NUI Galway, University of Galway, led by Dr Shivaun Quinlivan

Reflecting on the achievements of those celebrated today, Professor Marie Clarke, Chair of the HEA Student Engagement, Teaching and Learning Committee, said:

“Today’s awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the richness and diversity of teaching and learning innovation across the Irish higher education sector. Each initiative recognised demonstrates genuine collaboration among academics, professional staff, students and our wider community. By showcasing these best practices, we can learn from and extend their positive influence, benefiting teaching, learning, and student experiences across disciplines.”

Tim Conlon, Head of Policy and Strategic Planning at the HEA, added:

“The teams and initiatives recognised today clearly demonstrate innovation that aligns with our broader ambitions for Irish higher education. Their success comes from intentional, well-designed approaches that directly respond to the realities faced by students, institutions, and communities. Teams have addressed key challenges from digital transformation and academic integrity to sustainability and inclusive practice, creating improvements across our higher education institutions that are also supporting national aims.”

The awards ceremony followed a stakeholder consultation event held earlier in the day, which convened academics, professional staff, students, sector leaders, and policymakers to contribute to the development of the HEA’s forthcoming National Strategy for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. The consultation provided a forum for identifying key priorities, gathering diverse perspectives, and shaping a national approach that will guide teaching and learning policy and practice in the years ahead.

Further information on the awards and future opportunities are available at teachingandlearning.ie.