UTS has celebrated the outstanding achievements of its leading researchers in a broad range of fields including telecommunications, data science and health.
The Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Research Excellence acknowledge the exceptional contribution of UTS researchers to shape our world and highlight the breadth and depth of UTS research.
The award ceremony was hosted by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Kate McGrath, who commended the three medal and five award recipients for their remarkable work.
“Their dedication, passion and contribution to the research endeavour have made a significant impact in their respective fields. Their remarkable achievements are a testament to the university's commitment to excellence and innovation in research." says Professor Kate McGrath.
The winners of the three medals for research excellence were:
Chancellor’s Medal for Research Excellence
Honouring sustained research excellence at the highest level.
Distinguished Professor Karu Esselle, Faculty of Engineering & IT, for his work in telecommunications, Defence and Space technologies.
In our research, we develop radio frequency front ends, electronic circuits for a whole range of applications. These are crucial for anything that has wireless connection. So we started from scratch out of the box to make it low cost, low cost production methods. So the final terminal, hopefully at the end give the user without upfront payment anything that has wireless capability, vehicles, homes, and offices in remote areas where there's no other form of internet. And that's going to change the satellite telecommunications industry completely.
UTS Medal for Research Impact
Awarded for research that has achieved considerable impact outside the academic community.
Professor Sally Inglis, Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow, with the Faculty of Health, for her longstanding research to support the use of digital health technologies, like home-based telemonitoring, to improve the lives of people with chronic cardiovascular disease.
My research is looking at digital health tools such as structured telephone support, telehealth and telemonitoring. The COVID Pandemic really brought the strength of digital health to the forefront. My research was able to inform the adaptation of healthcare from face-to-face format to remotely delivered. I think this next chapter as we move past the pandemic is really looking at using the best possible digital healthcare tools based on the evidence to keep patients at home safe and secure and connected with their healthcare team.My research is looking at digital health tools such as structured telephone support, telehealth and telemonitoring. The COVID Pandemic really brought the strength of digital health to the forefront. My research was able to inform the adaptation of healthcare from face-to-face format to remotely delivered. I think this next chapter as we move past the pandemic is really looking at using the best possible digital healthcare tools based on the evidence to keep patients at home safe and secure and connected with their healthcare team.
UTS Medal for Excellence in Teaching and Research
Recognises an academic for their outstanding research and teaching at UTS.
Dr Simon Knight, Transdisciplinary School, for his research on how people learn to navigate uncertainty, disagreement, and evidence, and the mediating role of technology in that.
My research is around how people learn to ethically navigate uncertainty and disagreement. And the teaching that I've done is primarily around quantitative literacy and things like critical thinking. We need to learn to communicate about and with data, and we're understanding the human-centered nature of it. It's not just the technical capabilities, but it's being able to use that to persuade people to explain what that evidence can inform us about and the impact potential there.
The winners of the five awards were:
Research Management and Development (Professional Staff) Award
Awarded to recognise an outstanding contribution or initiative in support services that has boosted research capability and/or development.
Racheal Laugery, Emma Kirk, Neroli Sunderland, Michelle Afonso, UTS Research Office
Early Career Research Excellence Award
Awarded for an outstanding piece of research conducted by an individual early career researcher or a team of ECRs.
Dr Wei Wei, Faculty of Engineering and IT
Research Excellence through Collaboration or Partnership Award
Awarded to researchers who have established and maintained successful research partnerships or collaborations resulting in significant outcomes, including those in creative industries or practices.
Dr Samantha Sharpe, Monique Retamal, Elsa Dominish, Fiona Berry, Taylor Brydges, Institute for Sustainable Futures
Research Leadership and Development Award
Awarded to recognise and encourage an individual researcher who is on a path to becoming a research leader.
Professor Zhenguo Huang, Faculty of Engineering and IT
Supervisor of the Year Award
Awarded to recognise an exceptional research supervisor who supports the achievements and development of Higher Degree Research candidates.
Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research
Learn more about the Vice Chancellor's Awards for Research Excellence.