Professor Peter Hoffmann from the University of South Australia has received the ACGR Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Industry Engagement for his sustained leadership in forging impactful partnerships between HDR candidates and industry.

Professor Hoffmann has pioneered collaborative PhD programs with major partners such as CSL Limited and Coopers Brewery, integrating candidates into active industry environments while maintaining strong academic supervision. These projects are co-designed with industry, often co-funded, and aligned with real-world research needs—from biomanufacturing and proteomics to food science and analytical chemistry. Many of Professor Hoffmann’s HDR candidates have either co-authored multiple publications during their candidature or transitioned directly into industry roles—demonstrating the dual academic and employability strengths of his model.

Through national collaborations, grant-funded programs, and his leadership in the Bioplatforms Australia facility, Professor Hoffmann has shown how HDR training can be transformed through genuine, purpose-driven engagement with industry. His work exemplifies how universities can deliver value to industry and society by embedding research candidates in projects that are rigorous, relevant, and career-enabling.