Professor Samantha Bennett from The Australian National University has received the ACGR Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Leadership for her transformative contributions to graduate research policy, practice, and culture across the humanities, arts, and social sciences.

As Associate Dean of Higher Degree Research in the College of Arts and Social Sciences, Professor Bennett has led strategic reforms including a comprehensive HDR review and the overhaul of thesis formats to reflect contemporary research outputs. She introduced a sector-leading ‘artefact/exegesis’ model to support diverse approaches, particularly those aligned with Indigenous research. Her work has strengthened equity and belonging, from mentoring supervisors to addressing long-tail completions and leading change on student safety. Bennett’s leadership of the international AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership conference has also created global opportunities—such as enabling an ANU candidate to present their research in Oxford—supported by her inclusive mentoring style. Professor Bennett is widely regarded as a champion of innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence in research training. Her work shows how thoughtful reform, community-building, and cross-sector collaboration can profoundly enhance the HDR experience for both candidates and supervisors.