The School of Communication and Arts is celebrating the success of two academics awarded competitive 2026 University of Queensland Teaching Innovation Grants (TIGs), recognising innovative approaches to enhancing student learning and responding to emerging challenges in higher education
Aparna Hebbani is part of a multi-faculty team that has been awarded $19,988 for the project Supporting 
the academic success of diverse students through enhancing interactional and intercultural competence and student well-being.
The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Noriko Iwashita (School of Languages and Cultures), with co-investigators Aparna Hebbani, Assoc. Prof. Carmen Mills (School of Education), Dr. Olivia Wright (School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences), and Zoë Keidge (Principal Learning Designer, HASS).
Melissa Dickson has secured $7,500 for From Critique to Revision: Developing Disciplinary Judgement and Editing Skills through AI-Assisted Writing.
Responding to the growing influence of artificial intelligence in higher education, the project helps students
critically evaluate AI-generated work and develop the disciplinary judgement needed to engage thoughtfully with AI-assisted writing. The Selection Panel described the proposal as a thoughtful, low-cost and pedagogically focused response to a significant challenge facing universities, noting that its approach reframes AI-generated writing as a learning tool to strengthen students' critical thinking, evaluative judgement and editing skills. The panel also recognised its potential to contribute to broader conversations about ethical and responsible AI use in teaching and assessment.
In a highly competitive funding round, 21 applications were submitted seeking close to $2.5 million in funding.
Head of School Professor Jenna Ng congratulated both academics, noting that having two successful Teaching Innovation Grant recipients in the same year is a significant achievement for the School.
The School congratulates Aparna Hebbani and Melissa Dickson on this recognition and looks forward to the impact of their work on student learning and educational excellence across the University.
