Call for EOIs: Roderick Teaching Excellence Fellowships in English, Literature, and Creative Writing

The Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing seeks expressions of interest (EOIs) from specialists in teaching and learning to participate in a Roderick Visiting Fellowship. The Roderick Teaching Excellence Fellowship aims to recognise and foster excellence in the teaching of literature and creative writing at school and university levels in Australia. While at JCU, the Visiting Fellow will have the opportunity to develop relevant teaching and learning materials and to contribute to the research, teaching, and/or engagement culture of James Cook University and surrounding North Queensland schools.

The fellowship program in general seeks to recognise teaching and learning excellence in all areas of English and Creative Writing, and the Roderick Centre particularly welcomes expressions of interest that align with the teaching and learning of Australian literature and JCU’s position in the tropical world. Proposals that link the teaching and learning of literature and creative writing with one or more of the following university themes are particularly encouraged: ecosystems, conservation and climate change; peoples and societies; industry and economy, health, medicine and biosecurity. Within these broad themes, the Roderick Centre has a particular interest in the Environment (e.g. Reef, Rainforest, Tropics); Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People; and Health - Mental Health/ Wellbeing. However, generalists are also welcome to apply.

The Roderick Teaching Excellence Fellowship is a visiting fellowship that seeks to foster links between the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing and highly engaged teachers whose work models excellence. The award offers up to $7,500 for a two-week visit to the JCU Cairns and Townsville campuses, or $3,500 for one week to one campus. The award provides funding support to assist with airfares, accommodation and incidentals whilst on fellowship at JCU.

Eligibility

The fellowship is available to any teacher in Australia who has an interest in developing innovative curricula for the study of literature and/or creative writing at the secondary or tertiary levels and in engaging with the Roderick Centre.

Your expression of interest should include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including details of degrees and qualifications; relevant positions held in the past five years, and other achievements relevant to the application.

• Fellowship Proposal: In no more than two pages, indicate the ways in which you will contribute to the Roderick Centre’s engagement with literary studies or creative writing by drawing on your experience, goals, and track record. The proposal should also indicate a preferred schedule for the visit to JCU. We are initially seeking to appoint visiting fellows between August 2026 and July 2027 but will also consider enquiries about subsequent years.

• Two referee reports: The referee reports should address your experience and teaching capabilities, and an assessment of the value and viability of the fellowship proposal.

How do I apply?

Please email your EOI to us at RCALC@jcu.edu.au before 31 July 2026 5pm AEST with the subject line “teaching excellence fellow application.”  If you might consider an application for a further year but don’t think you have an idea to go just right now, you are welcome to email us anytime.

If you would like to discuss your EOI before submission, please contact Associate Professor Victoria Kuttainen: victoria.kuttainen@jcu.edu.au.

Selection

• EOIs will be considered by the Head and leaders of the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing, as well as independent assessors.

• EOIs will be assessed against your track record (relative to opportunity) and standing in the field, and also the strength of the proposal.

• Preference will be given to EOIs that clearly align with JCU’s research themes.

Selection criteria:

• Clearly articulated EOI with a link to one of the Roderick themes

• Proposed dates for the visit

• A clear way of linking this visit to a proposed set of engagement activities with local high schools or high school teachers, preservice English teachers, or teaching and learning innovations/research relevant to the Roderick Centre

• At least two proposed impact-generating activities to linked with the agenda of capacity building for the Centre, such as community event, HDR masterclass, seminar, or other hosted activity

Terms and Conditions

The scheduling of the visit will be negotiated with RCALC.

A short report on outcomes and outputs must be submitted within two months after the end of the project. Any future related presentations and publications should acknowledge funding by RCALC.