The Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) has announced the recipients of the 2025 ACGR Awards for Excellence, celebrating outstanding contributions in graduate research education across Australia. First established in 2017, the awards recognise best practice in key areas of higher degree research (HDR) — including supervision, leadership, industry engagement, and candidate support.
This year’s winners represent the depth and diversity of talent within the graduate research community, from supervisors reshaping the HDR experience through innovation and inclusion, to teams leading systemic change for Indigenous researchers. Whether it’s embedding doctoral candidates in industry, building programs around cultural safety, or overhauling outdated systems to better reflect contemporary research, each recipient has helped set a new benchmark for what’s possible in HDR.
“All of our awardees are innovating HDR training across the sector to ensure our graduates are well equipped for their future in a range of settings. From improving supervisory practice and program design, to leading national collaborations and building spaces where diverse researchers can thrive, our awardees are transforming student experience,” says Professor Louise Sharpe, President of the ACGR.
The 2025 ACGR Award recipients are:
Winners
- Graduate Research Supervision (sponsored by ProQuest): Professor Brett Paull, University of Tasmania
- Graduate Research Leadership (sponsored by Epigeum): Professor Samantha Bennett, Australian National University
- Graduate Research Programs and Support: Professor Vijay Kumar Mallan, University of Otago
- Graduate Research Industry Engagement: Professor Peter Hoffmann, University of South Australia
- (Inaugural award) Graduate Research Indigenous Excellence and Empowerment: Professor Peter Anderson, Dr Thu Pham, Mr Ashley Fox & Ms Angela Bautista, Griffith University
Highly Commended
- Graduate Research Supervision (sponsored by ProQuest): Timescales of Mineral Systems Group, Curtin University
- Graduate Research Programs and Support: Dr Sharon Saunders, Griffith University
- Graduate Research Indigenous Excellence and Empowerment: Associate Professor Marnee Shay, University of Queensland
Leave a comment