Elly Mackay
11 December 2025: University of Canberra professional and academic staff members have been recognised for their outstanding achievements throughout the year at the 2025 º£½ÇÉçÇø Awards.
The awards ceremony, hosted on the Bruce campus yesterday, recognises staff who have gone above and beyond – with 19 winners across the categories of research, teaching, and professional excellence.
The recognition celebrates the University staff community who embody the º£½ÇÉçÇø Values and dedicate themselves to making a difference in the lives of students and colleagues.
University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten spoke at the event, highlighting the unique team culture and work ethic among º£½ÇÉçÇø staff.
“It’s a privilege to work at a university where all the staff are dedicated to serving the people, and committed to thinking long-term,” he said.
“º£½ÇÉçÇø is a tremendous environment to work in, alongside people who prioritise the long-term interests of our students, colleagues, and our community.”
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.
2025 AWARD WINNERS
Teaching Awards and Citations
The Teaching Awards recognise high quality teaching practices and outstanding contributions to student learning, by individuals and teams. Award-winners play an important role in demonstrating the University’s commitment to scholarship and recognition in relation to learning and teaching, and continuous improvement in teaching practices. This year, four new awards were added to this category, recognising the dynamic landscape of teaching and learning, and to better represent the diverse and innovative practice of education at the University.
Professor Tamsin Kelly, Director Education and Student Experience, presented the awards.
º£½ÇÉçÇø Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Education Award
Winner: Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Abualsheikh, Faculty of Science and Technology
Dr Abualsheikh developed a framework for ‘Gen-AI enhanced engineering projects’, encouraging students in the ethical use of Gen AI for ideation, creativity, project management and strategic planning.
º£½ÇÉçÇø Online Education and Student Experience Award
Winner: SciTech Bachelor of Information Technology Development and Delivery Team, Faculty of Science and Technology
The team is awarded for their work in delivering a large-scale, impactful project, providing innovative ways to engage a large and diverse cohort of students.
º£½ÇÉçÇø Innovation Award
Winners: Associate Professor Dr Duncan Driver, Faculty of Education and Lecturer Amy Smith, Faculty of Education
Dr Driver wins the award for his work in enabling students to develop unique and personally meaningful assessments, showcasing creativity, critical thinking, and human-centred learning a a time of GenAI disruption.
Ms Smith is awarded for her work in leading the Faculty’s microcredentialing initiative, co-designing three microcredentials with key partners. The courses enrolled 130 students in their first run, and promise many more in the future.
º£½ÇÉçÇø Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Winner: Lecturer Katy Meeuwissen, Faculty of Education
Ms Meeuwissen is recognised for the following: ‘Reimagining early childhood teacher education through international immersion experiences, creating authentic professional contexts where preservice teachers engage with global experts and become confident advocates for play in educational contexts’.
º£½ÇÉçÇø Award for Teaching Excellence
Winner: Lecturer Dr Ananthan Ambikairajah, Faculty of Health
The University of Canberra Award for Teaching Excellence recognises the work of an individual who has excelled in their teaching and who has made outstanding contributions to learning and teaching over a sustained period of at least three years.
Dr Ambikairajah has consistently demonstrated excellence through a student-centred approach to learning, drawing from his own experiences as both a student and teacher. The awarding panel were particularly impressed by his presentation of a whole-person approach to teaching, his impact on student retention, and his strength in mentoring colleagues.
2025 Research Excellence Awards
The Research Excellence Awards recognise outstanding achievements in areas of research, Higher Degree by Research supervision, engagement, and impact. They are a celebration of the important roles contributing to the excellence of the University’s research activities and outputs.
These awards were presented by Professor Michelle Lincoln, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
Excellence in Engagement and Impact
Winner: HEAL Global Research Centre (GRC), Faculty of Health
HEAL GRC exemplifies the University’s Research Impact Framework through mission-driven, partner-led, and applied research that addresses urgent climate-health challenges. The global reach and innovation of its work is exemplified by the $5 million-dollar Wellcome Trust research partnership.
Excellence in Higher Degree by Research Supervision
Winner: Associate Dean, Higher Degree by Research Dr Bethaney Turner, Faculty of Arts and Design
Dr Turner provides her candidates with supervision that extends beyond conventional academic mentoring and nurturing, and includes guiding candidates in the best possible way to support their success.
Dr Turner’s HDR candidates shared that her practices always centre around their individuality and they constantly feel her unwavering confidence in their capacity to complete.
Outstanding Team Achievement in Research or Enterprise
Winner: Mental Health Policy Unit, Faculty of Health
The team have been the most productive team in 2024-25, reflected through their National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) IDEAS Grant, Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Working Together Project, Department of Industry, Science and Resources grant, and N The National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS)-funded project, to name a few.
The team has extensive local, national and international collaborations that are impacting the lives and accessibility of services for people living with mental health challenges.
Research Excellence
Winner: Professor Kasia Bail, Faculty of Health
Professor Bail is a co-founder of the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT). Since 2023, she has been awarded over $8 million in research funding and is one of the University’s top-ranking authors by scholarly output.
In recognition of her expertise, Professor Bail was appointed as the inaugural º£½ÇÉçÇø/ACT Health Clinical Chair of Gerontological Nursing. Her work has strong international reach, demonstrated by her active projects with Dublin City University and as an investigator on an international research collaboration to evaluate the implementation of sensory support intervention to improve quality of life for long-term care residents.
Early Career Researcher Excellence
Winner: Dr Kimberly Brown, Faculty of Health
Dr Brown’s area of research focuses on the health and wellbeing of people living in rural and regional Australia. She has been exploring and developing novel resilience indicators for communities impacted by natural disasters, and how these can be made accessible to service providers on the ground.
2025 Professional Staff Awards
The Professional Staff Awards recognise both individuals and teams who contribute to the University’s inclusive culture, strategic direction, and operational success. They champion a workplace that collaborates and connects. These awards were presented by Interim Chief Operating Officer, Geoff Drummond.
Mana-Mangi Djara ‘Industrious Star’ Award
Winner: Laurie Poretti, Student Life
Ms Poretti has led transformative programs like Aspire º£½ÇÉçÇø and º£½ÇÉçÇø Prep, breaking down barriers for First Nations students.
Her visionary leadership has shaped the University’s identity as one that walks together with its community, ensuring equity is not an add-on but a core value.
Belonging Award
Winner: Zora Pang, Collections Coordinator with Education and Student Experience
Through her leadership of the º£½ÇÉçÇø Art Collection, Ms Pang has transformed a hidden asset into a vibrant, accessible resource. Her internship program offers hands-on experience in conservation and curation, and her partnership with the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) has brought significant artworks to campus, enriching the University’s cultural life and sense of belonging.
Professional Excellence Award
Winner: Janine Deshon, Campus Estate
Ms Deshon has delivered the University’s Comprehensive Space Management Plan – a three-year program that reimagines campus planning through a human-centric approach. Her work ensures our spaces reflect the University’s values and future vision, and her leadership has been recognised nationally through Tertiary Education Facilties Management Association and the Property Council.
Emerging Leader Award
Winner: Lisa Roulstone, Education and Student Experience
In just two years, Ms Roulstone has led significant service improvements, integrated teams, and championed staff wellbeing during change. Her leadership has enhanced student experience through initiatives like the Digital Skills Hub and inclusive community programs.
Professional Team Excellence Award
Winner: The Study Skills Team, Education and Student Experience
Since 2021, this team has supported the University’s Accelerated Pathways Program, helping Year 11 and 12 students succeed in university-level courses. Their creative, student-centred approach, including interactive sessions and tailored resources has boosted retention and conversion rates, making a real difference to student success.
2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards
Educator of the Year
Winner: Dr Ananthan Ambikairajah, Faculty of Health
Researcher of the Year
Winner: Associate Professor Dr Ilyse Resnick, Faculty of Education
Professional of the Year
Winner: Lisa Roulstone, Education and Student Experience
Reconciliation Award
Winner: Ashley Van Den Heuvel, Education and Research
Chancellor’s º£½ÇÉçÇø Citizen of the Year
Winner: Laurie Poretti, Student Life