Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision

The recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Supervision is acknowledged for their outstanding achievements across the various dimensions of excellence in supervision.

Professor Udoy Saikia from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is the 2025 recipient of the VC's Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision. Congratulations Udoy!

About the Award

The award recipient is acknowledged across the various dimensions of excellence in supervision:

the extent and range of their supervision activities
the positive outcomes for their students
their respect and support for students as individuals
their support for students’ career development
their broader contribution to the development of supervisory practice within their College or across the University.

The winner of the award will be presented with a Certificate of Excellence in Higher Degree by Research Supervision and will receive a prize of $5000.

The prize money may be used to support any project related to the recipient’s career development or academic work, including conference attendance and supervision. The recipient is recognised as a leader in their field and will be required to engage with other academic staff by providing up to three seminars or workshops for their College, or the University during the year following the award in consultation with the Office of Graduate Research.

For further information about the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision refer to the Recognition of Service, Donation, Significant Contributions or Personal Achievement.

Nomination Form

Nominations have now closed for 2025.

HDR Student Nomination Form

Eligibility

Eligibility for the individual award includes:

all research active academic staff (continuing, contract and academic status) on the Register of Higher Degree by Research Supervisors.
at least one timely principal supervisor completion in the previous five-year cycle.
completed the requirements of the HDR Supervisor Development Program within the previous two years, as required by the Register of HDR Supervisors.
Award winners will not be eligible for re-nomination.

Selection Criteria

In assessing applications, the Selection Committee will take into account evidence of claims against the nominated criteria.

Excellence across the various dimensions of supervision: the extent and range of supervision activities; the positive outcomes for HDR students; their respect and support for HDR students as individuals.
High quality support for students' research and career development.
Evidence of expertise in supervision, including professional development within the previous two years.
Contribution to the development of excellent supervisory practices by others within Colleges, or the University as a whole, or nationally or internationally.

Previous Recipients

2024

Associate Professor Tully Barnett

Associate Professor Tully Barnett from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is the winner of the Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision in 2024.

To read more about Tully please click here. Tully will be recognised for winning this prestigious award at the Staff Awards Ceremony in November 2024.

2023

Associate Professor Amy Matthews

The winner of the Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for 2023 was Dr Amy Matthews from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Dr Matthew's achievement was also announced in Flinders in Touch. Click here to read the article.

An awards ceremony was held in November 2023. Click here to read more.

2021

Professor Youhong Tang

The winner of the Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for 2022 was Professor Youhong Tang from the College of Science and Engineering.

Professor Tang's achievement was also announced in Flinders in Touch. Click here to read the article.

An awards ceremony was held in December 2022. Click here to read more.

2020

Associate Professor Wendy van Duivenvoorde

The winner of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for 2020 was Associate Professor Wendy van Duivenvoorde from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Associate Professor van Duivenvoorde will be presented with her award at an award ceremony in June 2021.

To read more about Wendy, please visit here.

2019

Dr Helen McLaren

The winner of the Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for 2019 was Dr Helen McLaren from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

Dr McLaren will be presented with her award at an award ceremony later this year.

Dr McLaren's achievement was also announced in the HDR in Focus monthly newsletter. Click here to read more about what winning this award means and what her supervisory philosophy is.

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2018

Dr Melanie Takarangi

The winner of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for 2018 was Dr Melanie Takarangi from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

The Award was presented to Dr Takarangi at the award ceremony in early 2019 by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rob Saint.

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2017

Professor Paul Ward

The winner of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision in 2017 was Professor Paul Ward, College of Medicine and Public Health.

The Award was presented to Professor Ward by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rob Saint and Dean of Graduate Research, Professor Tara Brabazon.

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2016

Professor Luciano Beheregaray

The winner of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision in 2016 was Professor Luciano Beheregaray, College of Science and Engineering.

The Award was presented to Professor Beheregaray by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rob Saint.