MSPGH Staff Awards
Recognising our staff and their valuable contributions to the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health (MSPGH) is a leading school of public health, thanks to a community of highly committed staff. Each year we celebrate the work of our staff through our Staff Awards.
Nominations for the 2025 Staff Awards will be open under three themes:
- Community, Culture and Global Awards
- Discovery Awards
- Education Awards
Successful nominations will furthermore reflect the MDHS Faculty values of Respect, Accountability, Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration and Teamwork.
Available to all MSPGH staff, these awards provide an opportunity to recognise the important and valuable work which underpins our success.
Eligibility
All academic and professional staff (including honorary and casual staff, and staff of the Nossal Institute Ltd.), MSPGH graduate researchers (currently enrolled or who have graduated from MSPGH in the previous year) are all eligible for nomination in the relevant categories. Refer to the selection criteria for each award category.
Please note: while these categories are intended to reflect the breadth of MSPGH activities and contributions, it isn't expected that all categories will be awarded in a particular year.
Past winners of the MSPGH awards are eligible to apply in the same category provided their submissions are based on a different portfolio of work than used for the previous award.
These awards are open to both individuals or teams. Applications for awards may be made by peers, colleagues, managers or by self-nomination. However, each nominee can only be nominated once as an individual and once as a member of a team. More information on how to nominate can be found in the Nomination Guidelines.
Key Dates
- Thursday 9 October 2025
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Nominations open
- Wednesday 12 November 2025
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Nominations close
- Thursday 11 December 2025
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Award winners announced at the MSPGH end of year function
Award Categories
Community, Culture and Global Awards
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The three awards in this category recognise collaboration and knowledge sharing between industry, health, research, or community partners in local or global arenas that have made a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities.
- Engagement Impact Award: to recognise the engagement contribution of MSPGH staff and research higher degree students for research that has been conducted in the preceding five years.
- Indigenous Engagement Award: to recognise outstanding collaboration with Indigenous communities, resulting in meaningful partnerships and real change.
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This award recognises outstanding contributions in the formal and informal mentoring of students and colleagues, whether professional, academic or both. Demonstrating a sustained record of effective mentoring, provision of support, compassion, ethical conduct and the sharing of knowledge and respect for the development of colleagues as individuals.
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To recognise outstanding performance by staff in delivering and improving professional services which support academic research and teaching activities, and the effective running of the MSPGH. The types of activities for which staff are recognised may include – but are not limited to – enhanced management practices which improve efficiency and effectiveness; implementation of innovative administrative processes and systems; high quality service which goes ’above and beyond’ expectations; or strengthening links across the School, Faculty, University or external partners.
Discovery Awards
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Award for academic achievements in research by a post-doctoral researcher with up to 6 years of experience since completion of doctorate or equivalent. Those staff in research-active roles without a PhD are also eligible.
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Award for academic achievements in research by a Graduate Researcher (currently enrolled in a PhD or MPhil by Research, or recently graduated in the past year).
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Award for academic achievement in improving Indigenous Health outcomes using Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
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Award for academic achievements in research involving a team of at least three researchers. Team-based research programs involving intra-and/or inter-disciplinary collaboration across units/centres in MSPGH and/or with external faculties/institutions are encouraged to apply.
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Award for academic achievements in research by an early career researcher, between 6 and 10 years of experience since completion of doctorate or equivalent.
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Award for academic achievements by a senior researcher, with more than 10 years of experience since completion of doctorate or equivalent.
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Supervisors have a special role in the development of the next generation of professionals and scholars, acting as teacher, coach, mentor, and sponsor. The best supervisors have a lifelong impact on their students, helping students develop skills, advance science, and further their career goals, all while fostering a commitment to research of the highest quality and impact.
Education Awards
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In recognition of outstanding and diverse contributions to teaching and learning. For staff who have made substantial contributions to Indigenous public health education in teaching roles, curriculum contributions, or experiential learning opportunities.
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In recognition of outstanding and diverse contributions to teaching and learning. For staff who have held a substantive teaching appointment in a university for less than 5 years or equivalent full time.
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Award for staff who have developed and/or implemented teaching practice, curricula or other initiatives that foster accessibility and inclusion for a diverse range of students.
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In recognition of outstanding and diverse contributions to teaching and learning. For innovation in a course, teaching stream or area of curriculum development.
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In recognition of outstanding and diverse contributions to teaching and learning. For staff who have been teaching for 5 years or more.
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In recognition of outstanding and diverse contributions to teaching and learning. For staff in assistant teaching roles, which may include: tutoring, assistance with coordination, assessment and LMS support and design.
Nomination process
Nomination Form: Complete and submit the online nomination form which includes a maximum 500-word statement addressing the key selection criteria highlighting the nominee’s contributions and achievements, and any other requirements as outlined in the specific award templates.
Supporting material: (optional) up to three pages. This may include additional feedback, internal and/or external references, websites (URL link) and another supporting documents. The inclusion of supporting material is not mandatory. For self-nomination, please see the reference guidelines below.
All nominations are confidential.
Reference Guidelines for Self-nomination
If you are self-nominating, you will need to provide a written reference from at least one knowledgeable referee (when completing the nomination form).
Each reference should be one page maximum and contain the name, job title and contact details of the referee, and address the following topics:
- How do you know of the work of the nominee/team?
- What the most substantive impacts arising out of the work of the nominee/team?
- How well has the nominee/team functioned in terms of engagement, collaboration and leadership in their work?
- Would you support the nominee/team being granted this award?
Judging Panel
The Award Assessment Panels will be based on the selection criteria. There may be more than one awardee in a category or no awardee in a category. Special commendations may also be made. Past awardees may be invited to participate in the assessment process.
Award Presentations
The award will be in the form of a certificate. Awards will be presented at the MSPGH end of year function on Thursday 11 December, 2025. Winners will be encouraged to attend but not be required to present.
Global, Place and Community Awards
Mentor Achievement Award
Associate Professor Natalie Carvalho
Economics of Global Health, Centre for Health Policy
Engagement Impact Award
Dr Katitza Marinkovic Chavez and Phoebe Quinn
Disaster Climate and Adversity Unit, Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing
Professional Excellence Award
Lyn Buchanan
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
(Team) Becky Gracey, Jodie Lipman, Maggie Lenaghan, Rose Story, Jessica Tyler, Lynette Walker, Prue Weideman, Alison Wright and Fiona Burns
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Discovery Awards
Early Career Research Award
Dr Oliver Eales
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr Xin (Daisy) Dai
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Graduate Research Award
Dr Simone Scotti Requena
Mental Health Policy & Practice, Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing
Marie-Anne Boujaoude
Economics of Global Health, Centre for Health Policy
Research Innovation Award
Associate Professor Fabian Kong
Sexual Health, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
(Team) Adrian Bickerstaffe, Samantha Fox, Chris Evans, Hannah Murchie and Alfie Punnoose
Informatics, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Mid-Career Research Award
Dr Bridget Bassilios
Mental Health Policy & Practice, Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing
Student Supervision Award
Jane Pirkis and Angela Nicholas
Mental Health Policy & Practice, Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing
Education Awards
Award for Early Career Teaching Development
Dr Marnie Downes
Biostatistics, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr Nadia Kaunein
Biostatistics, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Award for Inclusion in Teaching and Learning
Dr Aoife Hurley
Centre for Health Equity
Award for Teaching Innovation
Associate Professor Kenneth Winkel, Dr Sonia Chanchlani, Dr Laura Beaton, Ms Jessica Clarke
Centre for Health Equity
Teaching Achievement Award
Emma Barnard
Centre for Health Equity
Teaching Achievement Award
Dr Chris Selman
Biostatistics, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Beauty Tebaa
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics