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• Thematic focus: "Learning by doing"

  This category encompasses courses that focus on experiential learning, where students apply theoretical knowledge in practical experiments, projects, and applications. Students deepen their understanding through hands-on activities and acquire important skills in scientific research, problem-solving, and the use of advanced tools and methods.
  
  The emphasis is on the learning process through active participation and self-directed learning. In the fields of physics and computational sciences, this may involve designing and conducting experiments, developing computational models, or participating in fieldwork that links theory and practice. In teacher education, this may include practical teaching experiences or the development of educational materials for use in schools.
  
  Courses may also utilize digital resources to enrich the learning experience, facilitate independent learning, and strengthen the connection between lectures and exercises in the classroom.
• Criteria

  The following criteria will be considered in the selection process (at least two of the criteria should apply to the nominated course):

  • Integration of theory and practice: Courses provide clearly defined opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical tasks, such as designing or conducting experiments, developing algorithms or models, or teaching practice, with exercises that complement and reinforce lecture content.
  • Development of critical skills and independent learning: Students are actively engaged in activities that promote critical skills such as data analysis, programming, laboratory work, or instructional design, and support a deeper understanding of the subject area. The course structure also fosters independent study and encourages students to explore concepts on their own, strengthening their critical thinking abilities.
  • Effective use of digital resources: Instructors utilize digital tools such as data collection systems, simulation software, or online collaboration platforms to enhance practical learning, facilitate self-directed study, and provide students with access to advanced resources.
  • Feedback on practical work: Instructors provide clear, constructive feedback on practical projects, guide students in refining their methods and help them establish connections between theory and practice.
  • Collaborative learning: Courses promote teamwork and collaboration, where students work together in laboratories, programming, or creating educational materials, thereby supporting peer learning and interdisciplinary cooperation.
  • Innovative teaching methods: Instructors incorporate innovative approaches, whether in the laboratory, computational tasks, or simulations of classroom scenarios, to ensure that students are exposed to and actively engaged with advanced techniques and methods that challenge their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Nomination

  Eligible for nomination are courses in the studies of BA/MA Physics, BA/MA Physics UF, MA Computational Science, and PhD Physics that were held at the University of Vienna in the period of summer semester 2023 to winter semester 2024/2025. All lecturers and the Physics student representatives are entitled to make nominations.
  
  To nominate, please send an informal email with the course, semester, and a brief justification to dekanat.physik@univie.ac.at.
• Submission

  To submit, please send the completed submission form to dekanat.physik@univie.ac.at.
• Submission and nomination deadlines

  The deadline for nominations and self-nominations is April 16, 2025.

  Lecturers who have been nominated by other lecturers or by the Physics student representatives have until April 30, 2025, to submit their applications.
• Submission and selection process

  16 April 2025	Deadline for nominations and self-nominations
  30 April 2025	Submission deadline for lecturers who were nominated by the student representatives or other lecturers
  by 12 May 2025	Compilation of a shortlist by a 2-3 person working group, with 1 member from the Faculty management
  by 26 May 2025	Jury meeting and selection of the awardees. The jury consists of members of the Studies Conference, along with one person from the Faculty management as the jury chair.
• Award presentation

  The awards will be presented at the faculty's summer party, anticipated to be in June 2025. All award winners will subsequently be invited to participate in the "Teaching Inspires" event on November 28, 2025.
• Prize money

  The prize money of € 3,000 each is not tied to a specific use and will be paid directly to the award winners.