Citizen Scholar Award

The Citizen Scholar Award is designed to be a framework for the development of Citizen Scholars – Students who not only value gaining knowledge and are lifelong learners, but are critical thinkers, problem solvers and active, engaged citizens.

What is the Citizen Scholar Award?
A Citizen Scholar is an individual who aspires to both scholarship and being an active engaged citizen.
The Academy Citizen Scholar Award is designed to be a framework for the development of Citizen Scholars – students who not only value gaining knowledge and are lifelong learners, but are critical thinkers, problem solvers and active, engaged citizens.

Who can apply?
The Award is available to all Academy students regardless of their degree program. The Award aims to enhance student learning and development, to develop in each student self-awareness, understanding of one’s talents, values, and interests, to develop a particular set of skills, attributes and knowledge that have been identified as essential for ‘Citizen Scholars’.

Selection Criteria
The Award is based on principles of both engaged and transformative learning principles. Students have opportunities to engage deeply in their own learning and development, to practice the transfer or application of knowledge across contexts (through activities both on and off-campus), to interact with other perspectives and voices, to receive frequent feedback about their performance, and to reflect on both that feedback and their learning.
To promote a holistic approach there are four strands:

• Personal development and wellbeing
• Professional development
• Community Engagement
• Global Citizenship

Students will be encouraged to explore areas of interest and be able to make the connection between local and global issues. Through engaging with community organisations, students work collectively toward community goals and develop the knowledge, skills, and vision they need to build community, be effective citizens, and advocate for social justice.
Enrolments are open at the beginning of each semester and students need at least 50 credit points remaining on their undergraduate degree to be eligible.

Advantages of participating
Build friendships and networks within and outside your study area. Gain valuable experience and professional skills such critical thinking, communication and leadership development. Build confidence, self-reflection, personal and professional growth Opportunities to act on and develop personal passions and interests.
The Award is designed to allow you to include much of what you are already engaged in, such as volunteering and University leadership roles, but also to challenge you and encourage you to push yourself outside your comfort zone.