Engagement and impact awards
La Trobe researchers are consistently recognised for outstanding efforts in devising and implementing engagement and impact plans which have the potential to translate research into significant social, environmental, health, cultural or economic impact.
External Awards
James Van Dyke, 1 Million Turtles
Winner 2023 Eureka Prize Innovation in Citizen Science
Andrea Carson, Mis/disinformation research and Australian women in politics
Emerging Leadership finalist 2023 Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards
Brian Abbey, Belinda Parker, Eugeniu Balaur, NanoMslide
Winner 2022 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology and Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation in Physical Sciences
Helen McLachlan, Baggarrook Yurrongi’ (Women’s Journey) – Improving the health of First Nations mothers and babies
Winner 2022 Engagement Australia Excellence Award (Indigenous Engagement)
Adam Semciw, Loren Sher and James Boyd, Victorian Virtual Emergency Department
Winner 2022 Australian Business Awards for both Digital Transformation and Service Excellence
Leesa Hooker, Angela Taft, Jess Ison & Kirsty Forsdike, TramLAB: Improving the Safety of Women and Girls on Public Transport
Winner 2022 Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category – Design Strategy
Michael Kingsley and Stephen Barrett, Making every Consultation Count: Exercise Promotion By Hospital Clinicians
Winner 2022 VicHealth Leading Health Promotion Research Award
Yangama Jokwiro, Vaka Health Foundation
Winner 2022 AAMEG Best Workforce & Industry Development Initiative Africa Awards
Zhen He, SPARTA2
Winner 2022 Best Sports Performance and Coaching Technology Award, Australian and New Zealand Sports Technology awards
Pam Snow and Tanya Serry, The SOLAR Lab
Community Engagement finalist 2022 Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards
Nora Shields, FitSkills Program
Winner 2021 Victorian Health Promotion Awards Leading Health Promotion Research Award
Nick Bond, Melbourne Water Health Waterways Strategy
Winner 2020 Ecological Society of Australia Ecological Impact Award
La Trobe Excellence in Research: Engagement and Impact Awards
The La Trobe Award for Excellence in Research: Engagement and Impact recognises and celebrates excellent La Trobe research that has made a significant contribution to the world beyond academic research.
Winning team
Dr Timothy Jones (School of Humanities and Social Sciences) and team, including Dr Jennifer Power, Prof. Tiffany Jones, Nathan Despott, Dr Joel Anderson, Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli and Percy Gurtler
This team has been recognised for their high impact work on the harm caused by LGBTQA+ conversion practices and the human rights of communities affected by these approaches.
Their work is recognised both in Australia and internationally. It has pioneered new ground in the field by initiating much needed difficult conversations and resulting in tangible and visible societal change. Their multi-disciplinary approach and clear focus has seen them secure Category 1 funding to progress their research and further maximise its impact. The team has been invited to present their research to the UN Human Rights Council, as well as international NGOs and jurisdictions investigating law reform in this space.
Highly Commended
Prof. Jodi Oakman (School of Psychology and Public Health) for her development of a risk management toolkit to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. The toolkit is now used by over 200 organisations across a range of different sectors.
Winning team
Dr Andrea Waling, Associate Professor Adam Bourne, Associate Professor Anthony Lyons and Gene Lim
This team has been recognised for their impactful work from their research project Understanding LGBTIQ+ Lives in Crisis. The project sought to examine experiences and barriers to accessing acute mental health support services for LGBTIQA+ communities, a population known to face disproportionately high levels of mental ill-health and suicidality. The outputs of the project continue to contribute significant impact occurring at local, state, and national levels regarding mental health and LGBTIQA+ people in Australia.
Highly Commended
- Dr Anne-Marie Laslett for her work in reducing harm from others’ drinking. Anne-Marie’s work has generated change policy that is international in scope.
- Dr Rebecca Chisholm and Dr Joel Miller for their work on COVID-19 modelling, which was rapidly adopted in practice with immediate local, state and national impacts.
You can read more about our 2021 Research Awards and our winners here.
Winner
Dr Dana Wong — Dr Wong’s impactful research leads to better access to evidence-based, cost-effective interventions to improve the lives of survivors of acquired brain injury and their families. Dr Wong’s strategic engagement with various stakeholders at all levels and the dissemination of her work has influenced practice, change clinical skills and knowledge which will lead to lasting impact for clinicians and their patients.
Highly Commended
Dr Tim Jones & Dr Jennifer Power — Dr Jones and Dr Power’s research focuses on improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBT people of faith, through partnership and engagement with stakeholder advocacy groups and policy makers.
Winner
Dr Anita Smith — Dr Smith's research has been the basis of three successful World Heritage nominations in the Pacific region and, working alongside Indigenous communities, she has had significant impact on the protection and management of current and potential World Heritage sites to ensure Australia meets its obligations under the World Heritage Convention.