Awards for Excellence in Higher Degree by Research
UQ is committed to recognising and rewarding outstanding performance in the supervising, mentoring, and training of HDR candidates. UQ also celebrates the diversity of its research community and recognises those who have facilitated greater collaboration with industry as well as those who continue to demonstrate effective and inspirational graduate leadership.
The Awards for Excellence in Higher Degree Research: Supervision, Leadership and Industry Engagement provide an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and initiatives of advisors and the key benefits they provide to UQ HDR candidates and the broader research community. The awards recognise individuals who show excellence in Research Supervision as well as recognising excellence in advising for emerging academic staff.
In 2020, the awards expanded to include two new categories; Leadership and Industry Engagement. These new categories highlight the diversity of the research community and recognises those who have facilitated greater collaboration with industry and acknowledge academics who continue to demonstrate leadership in research training and effective and inspirational graduate leadership.
Nomination process
An individual may be nominated by an academic/professional staff member or by an HDR candidate (nominator). Self-nominations will not be accepted. Award selection is based primarily on written statements addressing the selection criteria (see Selection Criteria - 300 word limit per criteria).
Prepare to complete the online nomination form
An online nomination form is located on the Graduate School website. Please note that you need to be logged on to the internet to access this form. Advisors cannot self-nominate for this award.
Nominees to complete the online nomination form
Ensure all contact details and statements addressing the selection criteria are completed. There is no capacity to save your work and return later. You will be requested to provide:
- The contact details for:
- yourself (the nominator) and
- the nominee.
- Individual statements addressing the four selection criteria - 300 word limit per criteria.
Once submitted the nominator will receive an email to confirm the submission has been received.
Shortlist - Faculty/Institute
When nominations close, each Faculty/Institute will consider all eligible nominations and select the following to put forward to the Graduate School for final selection.
- Two nominees per Faculty or one nominee per Institute for the Supervision Awards; and
- One nominee per Faculty or one nominee per Institute for the Emerging Advisor Award.
Shortlisting will be reviewed and ranked by reviewing:
- The nominee’s candidate timely completion rates;
- The nominee’s candidate withdrawals;
- The number of years supervising at UQ; and
- Written statements from nominator(s).
Supporting documentation
The following supporting documentation will be required from the nominee to provide evidence of high-quality research training supervision.
- Statements addressing each of the selection criteria (300 word limit per criteria);
- Academic curriculum vitae (brief); and
- Endorsement from Head of School or Institute Director.
Final ranking - Graduate School
All endorsed nominations and supporting documentation will be reviewed by the Selection Committee.
Outcome
Once all eligible nominations are reviewed by the Selection Committee the outcome will be provided via email.
Awards ceremony
Nominees will be invited to attend the UQ Research Award ceremony taking place during Research Week in September 2021.
Eligibility and selection criteria
Eligibility
- A nominee for an Supervision Award must be a current UQ academic staff member (continuing and fixed term) with a minimum of three years’ experience supervising, mentoring and/or training HDR candidates at UQ.
- A nominee for an Emerging Advisor Award must be a current UQ academic staff member (continuing and fixed term) with less than 3 years’ supervision experience supervising, mentoring and/or training HDR)candidates at UQ.
- Previous recipients of the Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision are not eligible to receive another award. Emerging Advisor Award recipients will be eligible in future for a Supervision Award.
- Previously unsuccessful nominees may be renominated.
- Shortlisted nominees must provide evidence of highquality research training supervision (see Selection criteria) as well as the requested supporting documentation (see Supporting documentation).
Selection criteria
The Nominee’s performance in a research training supervision role will be judged in part by how effectively they provide:
- Evidence of high quality and innovative research supervision practice. This may include principal,associate and team supervision;
- Evidence of the impact and outcomes of research supervision, including successful and timely HDR completions and co-publication or production of other research outputs with or by their candidates. This may also include the promotion of industry engagement and the development of HDR candidate’s employability skills and professional networks;
- Evidence of positive post-graduation outcomes of candidates; and
- Demonstrated leadership in research supervision including the provision of mentoring to less experienced supervisors.
The Selection Committee will also consider evidence of high quality performance relative to opportunity by examining:
- The nominee’s candidate timely completion rates;
- The nominee’s candidate withdrawals;
- Number of years supervising; and
- Written statements from the nominator(s).
Supporting documentation (shortlisted only)
The following supporting documentation will be requested from shortlisted nominees to provide evidence of high-quality research training supervision:
- Statements addressing each of the selection criteria (300 word limit per criteria);
- Academic curriculum vitae (brief); and
- Endorsement from Head of School or Institute Director.
Selection and prizes
Selection
The shortlisting committee will be made up of members of the Faculty or Institute. Shortlisted nominees will then be invited to provide supporting documentation, which will be reviewed by the final selection committee chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School or delegate and consist of past excellence award winners. The committee does not take into account:
- The distribution of Awards to particular Schools, Institutes and/or Faculties; or
- The outcome of previous unsuccessful nominations.
Prizes
The Supervision Award winner/s will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $5,000. Payment of the award prize will be made as a one off payment into a research account nominated by the recipient. Relevant taxation and superannuation arrangements will apply to one off salary payments.
One Supervision Award winner will also be put forward for nomination into the 2021 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Leadership.
The Emerging Advisor recipient/s will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $2,000. Payment of the award prize will be made as a one off payment into a research account nominated by the recipient. Relevant taxation and superannuation arrangements will apply to one off salary payments.
The number of awards available for each category may vary each year.
Winners 2020
Congratulations to our 2020 award winners.
- Associate Professor Peter Cabot (School of Pharmacy) - Winner
- Associate Professor Elske van de Fliert (School of Communication and Arts) - Winner
- Associate Professor Chiara Palmieri (School of Veterniary Science) - Emerging Advisor Award
- Professor Blake McKimmie (School of Psychology) - Certificate of Commendation
Winners 2019
Congratulations to our 2019 award winners.
- Associate Professor Katie Makar (School of Education) - Winner
- Associate Professor Alexander Scheuermann (School of Civil Engineering) - Winner
- Associate Professor Irina Vetter (IMB / School of Pharmacy) - Winner
- Professor Andrew Whittaker (AIBN / School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience) - Winner
- Associate Professor Michael Piper (QBI / School of Biomedical Sciences) - Emerging Advisor Award
Winners 2018
Congratulations to our 2018 award winners. Please see their videos below.
- Associate Professor Thomas Burne (Queensland Brain Institute) - Winner
- Associate Professor Helen Huang (School of IT and Electrical Engineering) - Winner
- Professor Joanne Meers (School of Veterinary Science) - Winner
- Professor Lainzhou Wang (School of Chemical Engineering) - Winner
- Dr Ian Hardy (School of Education) - Emerging Advisor Award
Associate Professor Thomas Burne (Queensland Brain Institute) - Winner
Associate Professor Helen Huang (School of IT and Electrical Engineering) - Winner
Professor Joanne Meers (School of Veterinary Science) - Winner
Professor Lainzhou Wang (School of Chemical Engineering) - Winner
Dr Ian Hardy (School of Education) - Emerging Advisor Award
Winners 2013 - 2017
| 2015 |
|---|
| Professor Linda Worrall |
| Professor Penelope Sanderson |
| Associate Professor Richard Fuller - Commendation |
| 2014 |
|---|
| Dr Simon Perry |
| Professor Tapan Saha |
| Associate Professor Jennifer Flemming |
| 2013 |
|---|
| Professor Deirdre Bradshaw |
| Professor Jeff Coombes |
Nomination process
An individual may self-nominate or be nominated by an academic or professional staff member (nominator). Nominations by HDR candidates not be accepted. Award selection is based primarily on written statements addressing the selection criteria (see Selection Criteria - 300 word limit per criteria).
Prepare to complete the online nomination form
An online nomination form is located on the Graduate School website. Please note that you need to be logged on to the internet to access the form.
Nominees to complete the online nomination form
Ensure all contact details and statements addressing the selection criteria (300 word limit per criteria) are completed and all supporting documentation is attached to the online nomination form before you submit. There is no capacity to save your work and return later. Once submitted the nomiee will receive an email to confirm the submission has been received.
Shortlist - Faculty/Institute
When nominations close, each Faculty/Institute will consider all eligible nominations and select the top 2 nominees per Faculty or 1 nominee per Institute to put forward to the Graduate School for final selection. Shortlisting will be reviewed using the:
- Selection criteria;
- Academic curriculum vitae;
- Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
- Evidence of particular initiatives of candidates’ achievements.
Final ranking - Graduate School
When nominations close, the Selection Committee will consider all eligible nominations and rank by reviewing the:
- Selection criteria;
- Academic curriculum vitae;
- Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
- Evidence of particular initiatives of candidates’ achievements.
Outcome
Once all eligible nominations are reviewed by the Selection Committee the outcome will be provided via email.
Awards ceremony
Nominees will be invited to attend the UQ Research Award ceremony taking place during Research Week in September 2021.
Eligibility and selection criteria
Eligibility
- Nominees must be a current UQ academic staff member on a continuing or fixed term appointment with no less than 0.4 EFT (or an adjunct appointment) at UQ for a minimum of two years at the time of application.
- Previous recipients of the award are not eligible for renomination within three years of receiving an award.
- Previously unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
- Nominees must provide evidence of high quality performance relative to opportunity (see Selection Criteria).
Any award recipient who is no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement of the awards will be issued a certificate of recognition, but they will not be entitled to an award prize.
Selection criteria
The Nominee’s (individual or team) performance in a research training leadership role will be judged in part by how effectively they provide:
- Evidence of initiatives that have enabled a strong and supportive intellectual community for HDR candidates within their academic unit;
- Evidence of contribution to the development and maintenance of high quality and innovative HDR and/or skill development programs; and
- Evidence of support and mentoring for HDR supervisors;
- Contributions to the development and strengthening of institutional and local HDR strategy and policy, and
- Supporting statements from relevant stakeholders
Supporting documentation
The following supporting documentation will be required from the nominee (individual or team) to provide evidence of high quality research training leadership.
- Academic curriculum vitae (brief);
- Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
- Evidence of particular initiatives of candidates’ achievements.
Selection and prizes
Selection
The shortlisting committee will be made up of members of the Faculty or Institute. The final selection committee is chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School or delegate and members consist of past excellence award winners. They consider all eligible nominees (individual or team) and select awardees. In doing so, the committee does not take into account:
- The distribution of Awards to particular Schools, Institutes and/or Faculties; or
- The outcome of previous unsuccessful nominations.
Prizes
The winning individual or team will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $5,000. Payment of the award prize will be made as a one off payment into a research account nominated by the recipient. Relevant taxation and superannuation arrangements will apply to one off salary payments.
The winning individual or team will also be put forward for nomination into the 2021 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Leadership.
Winner 2020
Congratulations to the 2020 Leadership Award winner Dr Suzanna Fay (School of Social Science)!
Nomination process
An individual may self-nominate or be nominated by an academic or professional staff member (nominator). Nominations by HDR candidates not be accepted. Award selection is based primarily on written statements addressing the selection criteria (see Selection Criteria - 300 word limit per criteria).
Prepare to complete the online nomination form
An online nomination form is located on the Graduate School website. Please note that you need to be logged on to the internet to access the form.
Complete the online nomination form
Ensure all contact details and statements addressing the selection criteria (300 word limit per criteria) are completed and all supporting documentation is attached to the online nomination form before you submit. There is no capacity to save your work and return later. Once submitted the nomiee will receive an email to confirm the submission has been received.
Shortlist - Faculty/Institute
When nominations close, each Faculty/Institute will consider all eligible nominations and select the top 2 nominees per Faculty and 1 nominee per Institute to put forward to the Graduate School for final selection. Shortlisting will be reviewed using the:
- Selection criteria;
- Academic curriculum vitae;
- Supporting statements from at least one industry partner and one HDR candidate;
- Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
- Evidence of particular initiatives of candidates’ achievements.
Final ranking - Graduate School
When nominations close, the Selection Committee will consider all eligible nominations and rank by reviewing the:
- Selection criteria;
- Academic curriculum vitae;
- Supporting statements from at least one industry partner and one HDR candidate;
- Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
- Evidence of particular initiatives of candidates’ achievements.
Outcome
Once all eligible nominations are reviewed by the Selection Committee the outcome will be provided via email.
Awards ceremony
Nominees will be invited to attend the UQ Research Award ceremony taking place during Research Week in September 2021.
Eligibility and selection criteria
Eligibility
- Nominee must be a current UQ professional or academic staff member on a continuing or fixed term appointment with no less than 0.4 EFT (or an adjunct appointment) at UQ for a minimum of two years at the time of application.
- Previous recipients of the award are not eligible for renomination within three years of receiving an award.
- Previously unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
- Nominees must provide evidence of high quality performance relative to opportunity (see Selection Criteria).
Any award recipient who is no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement of the awards will be issued a certificate of recognition, but they will not be entitled to an award prize.
Selection criteria
The Nominee or Team's performance in a research training leadership role will be judged in part by how effectively they provide:
- Evidence of initiatives that have enabled successful and effective collaborations between HDR candidates and industry partners;
- Evidence of graduate research programs, support and/or supervision that supports HDR candidates to develop strong employability skills and wide professional networks;
- Evidence of projects or initiatives that demonstrate and promote the value of HDR candidates and graduates to industry; and
- Supporting statements from HDR candidates and industry partners.
Supporting documentation
The following supporting documentation will be required from the nominee (individual or team) to provide evidence of high quality industry engagement.
- Curriculum vitae (brief);
- Supporting statements from at least one industry partner and one HDR candidate
- Supporting statement from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
- Evidence of particular initiatives of candidates’ achievement.
Selection and prizes
Selection
The shortlisting committee will be made up of members of the Faculty or Institute. The final selection committee is chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School or delegate and members consist of past excellence award winners. They consider all eligible nominees (individual or team) and select awardees. In doing so, the final selection committee does not take into account:
- The distribution of Awards to particular Schools, Institutes and/or Faculties; or
- The outcome of previous unsuccessful nominations
Prizes
The winning individual or team will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $5,000. Payment of the award prize will be made as a one off payment into a research account nominated by the recipient. Relevant taxation and superannuation arrangements will apply to one off salary payments.
The winning individual will also be put forward for nomination into the 2021 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Leadership.
Winner 2020
Congratulations to the 2020 Industry Engagement Award winner Professor Brenda Gannon (School of Economics)!