Professor Tracey Kuit is one of two UOW academics to receive national recognition for a transformative approach to shaping the minds of future leaders. Photo: Michael Gray.
As a child in the small town of Bargo in the Wollondilly Shire, Tracey Kuit could often be found in her garage standing in front of her younger sister and any neighbouring children she’d managed to “drag” in, with a blackboard and chalk, playing schools.
“I was always the teacher, never the student,” she laughs. “I knew from a young age I wanted to be in education.”
In high school, she gravitated towards science and excelled, but the transition from regional student to her local university was rough.
“I’d always been very shy, I never liked public speaking,” she says. “I tried to get out of the very first seminar I had to give, and was physically ill on the day at the thought of presenting in front of peers.”
But in the third year of her Bachelor of Science, Tracey gained an insight into the power of a good educator.
“I ended up with a couple of female lecturers who really took the time to understand me, look at my work and provide really good feedback,” she says. “They recognised I had capabilities in biochemistry and molecular biology I never knew I had myself. It was a real turning point.”
After excelling in her undergrad degree, she went on to an honours year and did so well, she was offered four different PhD scholarships at three different universities.
She had an opportunity at University of Wollongong (UOW), which led her to combine her two great loves: science and education.
Since then, Tracey has used her own experiences in education in her interactions with students.
“When I go into the classroom or design experiences, I’m ultimately aiming to reveal to students across all different programs that they have capabilities they might not know yet, and are on a journey to find out what they can be,” she says.
“Some are pretty clear, some are still figuring it out, but all are in a unique moment in time to explore what they wish to do.
“In that, I try to develop activities and initiatives independent of the area they want to go into and give them the chance to explore the real-world societal problems we face and to look at them in terms of the science that can lead to solutions.
“For instance, I’ve been involved in running events where students from lots of different disciplines – science, law, business et cetera – come together to work on the problem of microplastic pollution. It’s a chance to be creative but also, explore it with others who bring in unique perspectives. Ultimately, that’s what we’re going to need to solve these global challenges.”
For her efforts, the professor of biochemistry and molecular biology education in the School of Science and Associate Dean (Education) in the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health at UOW – alongside a fellow UOW academic – has earned national recognition for her transformative approach to higher education and for shaping the minds of future leaders.
Professor Kuit and Dr Erin Twyford were honoured at the 2024 Australian Awards for University Teaching.
The annual awards celebrate the contributions of educators who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, leadership and enhancing the student experience across higher education in Australia.
Professor Kuit was recognised with the prestigious and highly competitive Award for Teaching Excellence, in the category of Natural and Physical Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies.
In addition, she received the 2025 FAOBMB Education Award from the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists – a triennial accolade bestowed to a biochemist or molecular biologist who has made an outstanding contribution to education, with a special focus on innovation and productive outcomes in education.
“Receiving these two awards is very humbling and are shared with so many important people – thousands of UOW students, hundreds of colleagues and friends, and numerous mentors and supporters over a nearly 20-year journey,” Tracey says.
“I thank them all, alongside the AAUT, FAOBMB and the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
“My goal for learning and teaching is to foster a culture of innovation that adapts to our students’ and society’s changing needs, ensuring a top-tier educational experience. I am so very privileged to work with amazing students and educators within UOW and beyond who continually inspire and challenge me.”
Erin, a senior lecturer based in UOW’s School of Business, was honoured with a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Awards for University Teaching.
“I feel truly honoured to have received this wonderful recognition,” she says. “Teaching is more than just a job for me – I’m deeply passionate about it, and I care so much about my students. I hope that comes across in my teaching because, above all, I want to leave them with positive, valuable learning experiences that they can take with them wherever they go, no matter what career they choose.
“Seeing students grow in confidence, develop professional skills, and even secure jobs through their coursework is incredibly rewarding, and I’m so grateful to be part of that journey.”
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