ADEA leadership in First Nations diabetes education recognised in top teaching awards
- ADEA
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
A pioneering education model developed as part of an ADEA-accredited course to improve outcomes for First Nations diabetes students and the communities they will serve has received a national citation in the prestigious Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).
ADEA Vice President Dr Shannon Lin, also a Senior Lecturer and Diabetes Course Director at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), alongside Aunty Grace Ward, UTS Adjunct Fellow and Lead Diabetes Educator for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at Diabetes Australia, Professor Lynn Sinclair, and Dr Wenbo Peng, recently received an AAUT Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for 2025.
The AAUT, coordinated by Universities Australia, recognise excellence and innovation in learning and teaching across the higher education sector, with citations recognising individuals or teams who have made a significant and sustained contribution to improving the quality of student learning.
The UTS team received the citation for pioneering the Walking Together: A Parallel Practice model, described as "a transformative approach to Indigenous health pedagogy that builds a nationally significant diabetes workforce".
The recognition places diabetes education and workforce development in the spotlight, aligning with ADEA's commitment to building a capable, confident workforce able to deliver safe and evidence-informed care.
The model is delivered as part of UTS' Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management, an ADEA-accredited program that forms a foundational step within ADEA's credentialling pathway to become a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE).
The model aims to create a more inclusive learning environment for First Nations students by embedding culturally safe teaching practices, providing dedicated support from First Nations academic staff, and ensuring First Nations perspectives and cultural contexts inform course content.
"It’s a win for workforce quality and validates the value of rigorous, student-centred diabetes education that translates directly into safer, more consistent, evidence-informed diabetes care across settings," Dr Lin said.
"To my knowledge, this is the first time a diabetes education program has received an AAUT Citation.
"It’s a meaningful milestone for the profession and for diabetes education in Australia, especially at a time when workforce needs are growing and expectations on educators are expanding."
Dr Lin said the recognition also reflected "the collective commitment of our entire teaching team".
"That includes our sessional and casual academics, expert guest speakers, adjuncts, clinical placement supervisors, markers, and professional staff who deliver high-quality, student-centred lessons with real-world clinical relevance,” she said.
"It also acknowledges the sustained encouragement and trust we have received from the diabetes sector over many years, particularly our graduates and students, whose practice impact is the ultimate measure of success."
Dr Lin thanked the support of the UTS Course Advisory Committee, the Course Accreditation and Standards of Practice Committee, the broader course coordinator community, and ADEA.
"ADEA's leadership, advocacy, and steady guidance over the past seven years have been instrumental in enabling us to continually strengthen the course and contribute meaningfully to building a capable, confident diabetes education workforce," she said.
Aunty Grace Ward, a proud Kamilaroi-Yuwaalaraay woman, said it was "a privilege to work alongside a committed teaching team".
"Embedding a cultural lens across diabetes education strengthens both student learning and clinical practice," she said.
“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diabetes workforce has increased exponentially, and this will contribute significantly to closing the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are disproportionately affected by diabetes."
Professor Kylie Readman, UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education and Students), said the achievement reflected the team’s outstanding commitment to teaching and learning.
"Your influence is felt widely through the way you mentor colleagues, champion excellence and consistently put students and patients at the centre of your work," she said.
"I hope you are proud of this achievement. I am delighted for you."
