Crossword Genius

Around academic award, drop a controversial strategy (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

road map

'strategy' is the definition.

'around academic award drop a controversial' is the wordplay.
'around' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'academic award' becomes 'ma' (abbreviation for a Master of Arts degree).
'controversial' is an anagram indicator.
'drop'+'a'='dropa'
'dropa' is an anagram of 'roadp'.
'ma' placed into 'roadp' is 'ROAD-MAP'.

(Other definitions for road map that I've seen before include "Document detailing route to an end" , "Plan for travel - or for peace" , "One shows the way" , "Guide" , "Driver's chart showing routes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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