About the 2017 Awards of Excellence
The Division of Sciences held its third Awards celebration on Friday 24 November 2017 with a suite of awards acknowledging the excellent work done in many different areas of university life and work: research, teaching, community engagement, technical and administrative support.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne presented Award recipients with beautiful sculptures of art, created by Anne Ryan from the Glassblowing Unit, in the shape of a bacterial virus, and attached to handcrafted rimu, recycled from the Department of Chemistry.
Congratulations to all nominees for 2017, and in particular, recipients of each award.
Research awards
Researcher of the Year
The Researcher of the Year Award recognises outstanding research performance by a Principal Investigator within the Division of Sciences.
2017 Recipient: Professor Jamin Halberstadt (Psychology)
Early-Career Researcher of the Year
The Early-Career Researcher of the Year Award recognises outstanding research performance by an emerging researcher within the Division of Sciences. Academic staff (e.g. Lecturers, Research Fellows) who have held an appointment for a period of at least two years, and who have held an academic appointment for less than a combined total of six years at this and other universities, are eligible for this Award.
2017 Recipient: Dr Bill Hawkins (Chemistry) – award accepted by Lyall Hanton
Research Group of the Year
The Researcher Group of the Year Award recognises outstanding performance by a collaborative research team within the Division of Sciences.
2017 Recipient: Keith Gordon Research Group (Chemistry) – award accepted by Jonathan Barnsley
Best Research Paper - academic staff
The Best Research Paper Award recognises outstanding scholarship associated with a single research paper led by an Academic staff member within the Division of Sciences.
2017 Recipient: Dr Nic Rawlence (Zoology)
Best Research Paper - postgraduate student
The Best Research Paper Award recognises outstanding scholarship associated with a single research paper by a postgraduate student within the Division of Sciences.
2017 Recipient: Milena Horvath (Physics) – award accepted by Bianca Sawyer
Engagement awards
Industry Links Award
The Industry Links Award recognises outstanding commercialisation outcomes of a researcher’s invention and/or exceptional R&D collaborations between a researcher and Industry. Any research staff in the Division of Sciences whose invention was made at the University of Otago and commercialised may be eligible. Selection will be made on the basis of the nominal value of the commercialisation or R&D project and its likely impact on society (e.g., number of people affected by the invention).
2017 Recipient: Dr Eng Wui Tan (Chemistry)
Community Engagement Award - academic staff
The Community Engagement Award gives recognition to engagement with and service to the general public, whether locally, nationally or internationally.
Any academic staff member in the Division of Sciences who has met the research and teaching performance expectations, but excelled beyond expectation in the area of community engagement may be nominated for this Award.
Engagement recognition will focus on initiative and impact of community.
2017 Recipient – Dr Damian Scarf (Psychology) – award accepted by Mike Colombo
Community Engagement Award - general staff
The Community Engagement Award gives recognition to engagement with and service to the general public, whether locally, nationally or internationally. Any general staff member in the Division of Sciences who has excelled beyond expectation in the area of community engagement may be nominated for this Award. Engagement recognition will focus on leadership, initiative and impact of community engagement.
2017 Recipient: Sean Hogan (Pscychology)
Teaching awards
Senior Teacher of the Year
The Senior Teacher of the Year Award recognises sustained outstanding tertiary teaching by a staff member within the Division of Sciences. Recognition will focus on demonstrated commitment and creativity in the delivery of high-quality teaching that engages students and results in exceptional learning experiences.
Academic staff members who have held an appointment for a period of more than six years at this and other universities are eligible for this Award.
2017 Recipient: Associate Professor Jackie Hunter (Psychology)
Early-Career Teacher of the Year
This award recognises outstanding tertiary teaching by an emerging teacher within the Division of Sciences. Recognition will focus on distinction in the delivery of high-quality teaching that engages students and results in exceptional learning experiences.
Academic staff members who have held an appointment for a period of at least two years, and who have held an academic appointment for less than a combined total of six years at this and other universities, are eligible for this Award
2017 Recipient: Dr James Scott (Geology) accepted by James White
Innovation in Māori or Pacific Islands Course Content
This award recognises new initiatives to include Māori and Pacific content in a sustained way in the teaching of sciences.
Any member of teaching staff within the Division of Sciences, including Teaching fellows, Professional Practice Fellows and postgraduate students involved in teaching blocks of courses, is eligible for this award.
Recipients for 2017 – Dr Anne-Marie Jackson, Dr Huaiti Hakopa and postgraduate students from Te Koronga (PESES)
Support staff
Outstanding Technical Support Award
This Award recognises technical staff members who have made an outstanding contribution to the Division of Sciences. Criteria for selection centre around workmanship, and both aptitude and attitude of the staff member.
Any member of general staff in the Division of Sciences who holds an appointment to provide technical support for the Division or one of its Departments is eligible for the Award.
2017 Recipient: Jeremy Anderson (Psychology)
Outstanding Administrative Support Award
This award recognises administrative staff whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the smooth running of teaching, research and Divisional business. Criteria will focus on sustained excellence, innovation and initiative.
The Award is available to anyone working as a general staff member for .5 FTE or higher.
2017 Recipient: Louise Freeman (Food Science)
Outstanding Student Support Award - advising and mentoring
This award recognises the work of any staff member within the Division of Sciences – academic or general staff – who has provided exceptional student advice and support throughout the year.
2017 Recipient – Michelle Moss (Psychology)
Special Award for Distinguished Service
Professor Keith Hunter (Chemistry)
