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Awards for Excellence in Graduate Research Training

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The University of Queensland is committed to recognising and rewarding outstanding performance in the supervising, mentoring, and training of HDR candidates. The UQ Awards for Excellence in Graduate Research Training provide an opportunity to publicly celebrate the achievements and initiatives of our academic and professional colleagues who enable our HDR candidates to achieve their highest potential.

At UQ we take pride in our excellence in research with a tradition of outstanding graduates. This is a tribute to our staff in their support of our HDR candidates and their guidance in supervision.

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 development of research programs and support and Indigenous excellence and empowerment.

Supervision Award

Nomination Information

Who is eligible to be nominated?
All University of Queensland (UQ) academic staff (continuing and fixed-term) with experience in supervising, mentoring and or/training Higher Degree by Research candidates at UQ.

Who can nominate?
Individuals may self-nominate, or be nominated by an academic, professional staff member or HDR candidate.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominee must be current UQ academic staff (continuing or fixed term).
  • Nominee must have supervised at least five HDR candidates to completion at UQ.
  • Previous Supervision Award recipients are ineligible.
  • Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
  • Provide evidence of high-quality supervision and all requested supporting documentation.

Award recipients no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement will receive a certificate of recognition, but are not eligible for a prize.

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of high quality and innovative research supervision practice. What are the key ingredients of excellent supervision? Please reflect on this question and explain how your answer informs your 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 production of research outputs arising from the PhD research. 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.

In your nomination please consider the above criteria (where applicable). (300 word limit per criteria).

Selection Committees (shortlist/final)

Shortlisting: Faculty or Institute members review nominations.
Final Selection: Chaired by Dean (or delegate) and includes past award winners.

The final selection committee does not consider:

  • Distribution of awards across Schools, Institutes or Faculties.
  • Previous unsuccessful nominations.

Committees review evidence of high-quality performance including:

  • Candidate completions and withdrawals under the nominee’s supervision;
  • Years of supervisory experience; 
  • Supporting documentation; and
  • Nominator statements.

Supporting Documentation (shortlisted)

Shortlisted nominees will be asked to provide:

  • Statements addressing each selection criterion;
  • Academic Curriculum Vitae (brief);
  • Supporting statements from current, graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
  • Evidence of initiatives or candidates’ achievements.

Prize

The winning individual 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 2027 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Supervision.

Emerging Advisor Award

Nomination Information

Who is eligible to be nominated?
All University of Queensland (UQ) academic staff (continuing and fixed-term) with experience in supervising, mentoring and or/training Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates at UQ. 

Who can nominate?
Individuals may self-nominate, or be nominated by an academic, professional staff member or HDR candidate.

Eligibility

  • Nominee must be current UQ academic staff (continuing or fixed term).
  • Nominee must have supervised fewer than five HDR candidates to completion at UQ.
  • Emerging Advisor Award recipients will be eligible in future for a Supervision Award.
  • Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
  • Provide evidence of high-quality supervision and all requested supporting documentation. 

Award recipients no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement will receive a certificate of recognition, but are not eligible for a prize.

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of high quality and innovative research supervision practice. What are the key ingredients of excellent supervision? Please reflect on this question and explain how your answer informs your 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 production of research outputs arising from the PhD research. 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.

In your nomination please consider the above criteria (where applicable). (300 word limit per criteria).

Selection committees (shortlist/final)

Shortlisting: Faculty or Institute members review nominations.
Final Selection: Chaired by Dean (or delegate) and includes past award winners.

The final selection committee does not consider:

  • Distribution of awards across Schools, Institutes or Faculties.
  • Previous unsuccessful nominations.

Committees review evidence of high-quality performance including:

  • Candidate completions and withdrawals under the nominee’s supervision;
  • Years of supervisory experience; 
  • Supporting documentation; and
  • Nominator statements.

Supporting Documentation (shortlisted)

Shortlisted nominees will be asked to provide:

  • Statements addressing each selection criterion;
  • Academic Curriculum Vitae (brief);
  • Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
  • Evidence of initiatives or candidates’ achievements.

Prizes

The winning individual will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $4,000. 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 payments.

Important Dates

2026 Key Dates

  • Nominations open: Monday 23 March 2026
  • Nominations close: Sunday 3 May 2026
  • Nominees advised of outcome: July 2026
  • Awards Ceremony: Research and Innovation Week, 14-18 September 2026

Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2025 winners

Congratulations to our 2024 award winners

Congratulations to our 2023 award winners

Congratulations to our 2022 award winners

Congratulations to our 2021 award winners

Congratulations to our 2020 award winners

Congratulations to our 2019 award winners

Congratulations to our 2018 award winners

Congratulations to our 2017 award winners

Congratulations to our 2016 award winners

Congratulations to our 2015 award winners

Congratulations to our 2014 award winners

Congratulations to our 2013 award winners

Nomination Information

Who is eligible to be nominated?

All University of Queensland (UQ) in research training leadership roles who provide effective, inspiring graduate research leadership at the school, faculty or unit level.

Who can nominate?
Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by an academic or professional staff member. HDR candidate nominations not accepted.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must be current UQ academic staff (continuing or fixed term) with at least 0.4 EFT or UQ adjunct appointment, and have held this for a minimum of two years at application. 
  • Past recipients are ineligible for renomination within three years of receiving the award.
  • Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
  • Provide evidence of high quality research leadership and all requested supporting documentation.

Award recipients no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement will receive a certificate of recognition, but are not eligible for a prize.

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of initiatives that have enabled a strong and supportive intellectual community for HDR candidates within and beyond their academic unit. What are the characteristics of strong intellectual communities? Please reflect on this question and explain how your answer informs your leadership practice.
  • Evidence of your leadership and contribution to the development and maintenance of high quality and innovative HDR and/or skill development programs at Faculty or university level.
  • Evidence of effective support and mentoring for HDR supervisors at Faculty or university level.
  • Evidence of leadership contributions to the development and strengthening of institutional and local HDR strategy and policy at Faculty or university level.

In your nomination please consider the above criteria (where applicable). (300-word limit per criterion).

Selection Committee (shortlist/final)

Shortlisting: Faculty or Institute members review nominations.
Final Selection: Chaired by Dean (or delegate) and includes past award winners.

The final selection committee does not consider:

  • Distribution of awards across Schools, Institutes or Faculties.
  • Previous unsuccessful nominations.

Supporting Documentation (shortlist)

Shortlisted nominees will be asked to provide:

  • Statements addressing each selection criterion;
  • Academic Curriculum Vitae (brief);
  • Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates and academic colleagues; and
  • Evidence of initiatives or candidates’ achievements.

Prizes

The winning individual will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $4,000. 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 2027 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Leadership.

Important Dates

2026 Key Dates

  • Nominations open: Monday 23 March 2026
  • Nominations close: Sunday 3 May 2026
  • Nominees advised of outcome: July 2026
  • Awards Ceremony: Research and Innovation Week. 14-18 September 2026

Award Winners

Nomination Information

Who is eligible to be nominated?
All University of Queensland (UQ) professional or academic staff (individual or team) who foster innovative, transformational engagement between HDR candidates and industry partners. 

Who can nominate?
Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by an academic or professional staff member. HDR candidate nominations not accepted.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must be current UQ professional or academic staff (individual or team) with a continuing or fixed term appointment for at least two years at time of application. 
  • Past recipients are ineligible for renomination within three years of receiving the award.
  • Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
  • Provide evidence of high quality performance in promoting industry engagement and all requested supporting documentation.

Award recipients no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement will receive a certificate of recognition, but are not eligible for a prize.

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of initiatives that have enabled successful and effective collaborations between HDR candidates and industry partners. What are the characteristics of effective collaborations? Please reflect on this question and explain how your answer informs your practice.
  • Evidence of your contributions to the HDR programs and/or supervision that support HDR candidates to develop strong employability skills and widen professional networks, at Faculty or university level.
  • Evidence of your involvement in projects or initiatives at Faculty or university level that promote the value of HDR candidates and graduates to industry.

In your nomination please consider the above criteria (where applicable). (300-word limit per criterion).

Selection Committee (shortlist/final)

Shortlisting: Faculty or Institute members review nominations.
Final Selection: Chaired by Dean (or delegate) and includes past award winners.

The final selection committee does consider:

  • Distribution of awards across Schools, Institutes or Faculties.
  • Previous unsuccessful nominations.

Supporting Documentation (shortlist)

Shortlisted nominees will be asked to provide:

  • Statements addressing each selection criterion;
  • Academic/Curriculum Vitae (brief);
  • Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates, academic colleagues and relevant industry stakeholders; and
  • Evidence of initiatives or candidates’ achievements.

Prizes

The winning individual(s) will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $4,000. This prize will be split between team members if awarded to a team. Payment of the award prize will be made as a one-off payment into a research account nominated by the recipient(s). Relevant taxation and superannuation arrangements will apply to one-off salary payments.

The winning individual(s) will also be put forward for nomination into the 2027 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Promoting Industry Engagement in Graduate Research.

Important Dates

2026 Key Dates

  • Nominations open: Monday 23 March 2026
  • Nominations close: Sunday 3 May 2026
  • Nominees advised of outcome: July 2026
  • Awards Ceremony: Research and Innovation Week, 14-18 September 2026

Award Winners

  • 2025 Industry Engagement Award winner - Professor Lee Hickey (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation)
  • 2023 Industry Engagement Award winner (Team) - Biomedical and Computational Imaging Research Team
  • 2023 Industry Engagement Letter of Commendation - Professor Sara Dolnicar (School of Business)
  • 2022 Industry Engagement Award winner (Team) - ACWEB-Urban Utilities PhD Placement Program
    • Associate Professor Shihu Hu (Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology)
    • Dr Eloise Larsen (Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology)
  • 2021 Industry Engagement Award winner - Associate Professor Jason Tangen (School of Psychology)
  • 2020 Industry Engagement Award winner - Professor Brenda Gannon (School of Economics)

Nomination Information 

Who is eligible to be nominated?

All University of Queensland (UQ) professional or academic staff (individual or team) who have delivered transformational engagement, support programs or services in graduate research education. Nominees must demonstrate their provision of outstanding support for graduate research education through the design, development and implementation of an initiative or support service.

Who can nominate?

Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by an academic or professional staff member. HDR candidate nominations not accepted.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must be current UQ professional or academic staff (individual or team) with a continuing or fixed term appointment for at least two years at time of application. 
  • Past recipients are ineligible for renomination within three years of receiving the award.
  • Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
  • Nominees must provide evidence of high quality performance in graduate research programs and support and all requested supporting documentation.

Award recipients no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement will receive a certificate of recognition, but are not eligible for a prize.

Selection Criteria

1) Details of your involvement in the development of:

  • new initiatives that have enabled the development of strong and supportive; communities of HDR candidates or innovative research training programs; or
  • outstanding service to HDR candidates and supervisory staff with clear impacts or benefits to the graduate research community; or
  • changes or improvements to work practices that impact HDR candidates/programs; or
  • projects or initiatives that promote HDR candidates and programs beyond the University.

2) The aims of the program/initiative at university level and evidence of the outcomes for candidates/supervisors or other stakeholders.

3) Evidence of any change in practice or policy within or beyond the university that have resulted from this project/initiative.

In your nomination please consider the above criteria (where applicable). (300-word limit per criteria).

Selection Committee (shortlist/final)

Shortlisting: Faculty or Institute members review nominations.
Final Selection: Chaired by Dean (or delegate) and includes past award winners.

The final selection committee does not take into account:

  • Distribution of awards across Schools, Institutes or Faculties.
  • Previous unsuccessful nominations.

Supporting Documentation (shortlist)

Shortlisted nominees will be asked to provide:

  • Statements addressing each selection criterion;
  • Academic/Curriculum Vitae (brief);
  • Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates, academic colleagues and relevant industry stakeholders; and
  • Evidence of initiatives or candidates’ achievements.

Prizes

The winning individual(s) will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $4,000. This prize will be split between team members if awarded to a team. Payment of the award prize will be made as a one-off payment into a research account nominated by the recipient(s). Relevant taxation and superannuation arrangements will apply to one-off salary payments.

The winning individual(s) will also be put forward for nomination into the 2027 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Promoting Industry Engagement in Graduate Research.

Important Dates

2026 Key Dates

  • Nominations open: Monday 23 March 2026
  • Nominations close: Sunday 3 May 2026
  • Nominees advised of outcome: July 2026
  • Awards Ceremony: Research and Innovation Week, 14-18 September 2026

Award Winners

Nomination Information 

Who is eligible to be nominated?

All University of Queensland (UQ) professional or academic staff (individual or team) who have demonstrated excellence in the Indigenous Graduate Research. This may include supervisory practices, dvelopment of support programs or curriculum, and graduate research support services e.g. Indigenous research methods and protocol training, meaningful community engagement or initatives that foster cultural responsiveness higher education.

Who can nominate?

Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by an academic or professional staff member. HDR candidate nominations not accepted.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must be current UQ professional or academic staff (individual or team) with a continuing or fixed term appointment for at least two years at time of application. 
  • Past recipients are ineligible for renomination within three years of receiving the award.
  • Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated.
  • Provide evidence of high quality performance in graduate research Indigenous excellence and empowerment and all requested supporting documentation.

Award recipients no longer employed by UQ at the time of the announcement will receive a certificate of recognition, but are not eligible for a prize.

Selection Criteria

1) Details of:

  • Initiative/s and/or practice that have demonstrated excellence within the Indigenous Graduate research space, these may include:
    • Supervisory practices;
    • Support program development, curriculum development, and/or graduate research support services e.g. Indigenous research methods and protocol training, meaningful community engagement programs, and/or creating cultural responsiveness within the higher education space.
    • The involvement of the nominee/s in the development of the initiative/s and/or practice.

2) Evidence of how your work outcomes have been translated or could be translated into empowering Indigenous HDR candidates, including how the work strengthens the ability of HDR candidates to conduct research from an Indigenous perspective.

3) Evidence of impact of your work on creating a safe and equitable research space for Indigenous staff and students.

In your nomination please consider the above criteria (where applicable). (300-word limit per criteria).

Selection Committee (shortlist/final)

Shortlisting: Faculty or Institute members review nominations.
Final Selection: Chaired by Dean (or delegate) and includes past award winners.

The final selection committee does not take into account:

  • Distribution of awards across Schools, Institutes or Faculties.
  • Previous unsuccessful nominations.

Supporting Documentation (shortlist)

Shortlisted nominees will be asked to provide:

  • Statements addressing each selection criterion;
  • Academic/Curriculum Vitae (brief);
  • Supporting statements from current and graduated candidates, academic colleagues and relevant industry stakeholders; and
  • Evidence of initiatives or candidates’ achievements.

Prizes

The winning individual(s) will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy and $4,000. This prize will be split between team members if awarded to a team. Payment of the award prize will be made as a one-off payment into a research account nominated by the recipient(s). Relevant taxation and superannuation arrangements will apply to one-off salary payments.

The winning individual(s) will also be put forward for nomination into the 2027 Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Award for Excellence in Promoting Industry Engagement in Graduate Research.

Important Dates

2026 Key Dates

  • Nominations open: Monday 23 March 2026
  • Nominations close: Sunday 3 May 2026
  • Nominees advised of outcome: July 2026
  • Awards Ceremony: Research and Innovation Week, 14-18 September 2026

Award Winners

2025 Indigenous Excellence and Empowerment Awards winners (Team) - UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health team: Professor James Ward, Associate Professor Judith Dean, Mrs Rebekah Hauiti, Mr Stephen Harfield

Prepare to complete the online nomination form

Prepare documentation in order to complete the online nomination form. 

Complete online form

Complete the online 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:

  • Contact details for nominator and nominee.
  • Statements addressing selection criteria (300 words per criterion).
  • Supporting documentation (if applicable).
  • Nominator will receive email confirmation after submission.

Shortlist - Faculty/Institute

When nominations close, each Faculty/Institute will consider all eligible nominations and will select one nominee to put forward to the Graduate School for final selection.

Only shortlisted applicants will be notified of nomination.

Supporting documentation

The following supporting documentation will be requested (if not provided already) from shortlisted nominee(s):

  • Academic/Curriculum Vitae.
  • Statements addressing selection criteria (300 words per criterion).
  • Supporting statement from current, graduated candidates, academic colleagues and industry (if applicable); and
  • Evidence of particular initiatives or achievements.

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 to shortlisted applicants only.

Awards Ceremony

Nominees will be invited to attend the UQ Research Award ceremony taking place during UQ Research and Innovation Week, 14-18 September 2026.

 

Download the Awards for Excellence in Graduate Research Training Guide.

Awards Guide (PDF, 3.2 MB)

View the Awards for Excellence in Graduate Research Training Nomination Form.

Nominations open 23 March 2026