DrSupriya Subramani

I teach Public Health Ethics (BETH5203) and Methods in Bioethics (BETH5000). And also have taught Surgical Skills, and Evidence and Ethics.

Students have said about Supriya's teaching in the Unit of Student Surveys (since 2023):

• “This is the best unit I have taken at the University of Sydney (both in undergrad and postgrad). Supriya challenged me to want to learn in a way I hadn’t previously experienced, and the unit was structured in a way that helped facilitate this. This unit felt more like what university should be (a place to be challenged to learn and grow), rather than what university sometimes is, due to constraints of the neoliberal education system (a place to pass units and get a degree).”
• "Supriya was a great coordinator with respect to learning ethics. she was proactive, helpful and eager to share her knowledge with us. I was able to properly grasp the core learning of the course from her and was really happy with the way she involved everyone during the tutorials. The sessions were interactive and case studies helped me understand them well."
• "Dr Subramani has made every effort to create content which is applicable to current public health issues. Not only has she provided us with tools to address relevant ethical dimensions of public health problems she has delivered content in an engaging and creative manner. Introducing podcasts and films into our learning has been engaging and refreshing, along with the dialogue and discussion that is engaging and lively."
• "Supriya's teaching has been a breath of fresh air in this masters, she not only challenges us intellectually she truly is an expert in her field, sharing unlimited knowledge and resources. I have felt this practical application of ethics has truly supported me for the real professional world, not only has she taught us challenging concepts and philosophical theories like most teachers would, she has gone above and beyond that - I have not felt this supported by a teacher in my masters. Subsequently I have loved coming to class, engaging with her, engaging in class activities."
• "Dr Subramani has enlightened us with her diverse and practical experience as a bioethicist in international health campaigns and research. A source of inspiration for me personally. Importantly Dr Subramani has modelled a reflexive practice in her teaching by listening to our own ethical and practical considerations. It has felt like a unique and collaborative learning opportunity as she has encouraged an open dialogue where many opinions and perspectives have been shared and received with curiosity and respect."
• “Supriya's teaching style is engaging, stimulating, and inspiring! I learnt so much about how to bring in and discuss ideas from other disciplines such as critical race theory into the context of public health - something I wasn't sure was "allowed" or possible before! …It was nice to have different ways to learn and incorporate the knowledge, other than just stacks of reading. Having in-person workshops with no hybrid option was SO GOOD!!! I felt the most engaged in this unit”.

External observers remarked:

 “Assessment tasks cater for diversity in learner background and language abilities. For example, a variety of types of communication tasks are used … Assessments have moved away from the typical long essays often used in ethics courses”

“Learning technologies are used thoughtfully. Slides effective (covering key messages and providing a marker to guide students through the class discussion and learning activities) and visually appealing (logically designed and images complement content). Padlet and Canvas discussion boards are also used effectively to answer student questions and create relationships between students completing the course in different modes (online and face-to-face) and teacher”. 

For my teaching commitment, I was awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK, in March 2025 and congratulated by the Associate Dean (Education) for excellence in USS results in 2024 and 2025 and awarded Dean’s Teaching Citation 2025.