The outstanding work of three NDARC staff members was recognised this week at an in-house awards event attended by the entire Centre.
The NDARC Awards, held annually, recognise the achievements of staff members across all levels of the organisation. The first of two research prizes, the Ian Webster Award for Outstanding Research Achievement, was this year presented to Drug Trends directorate leader Dr Lucy Burns. Among the achievements that contributed to Dr Burns’ win was her leadership among research staff, her success in securing project funding and her research output, including peer-reviewed publications.
The recipient of the second research award, the Jennifer McLaren Award for Outstanding Research Achievement, was Dr Louise Mewton. This award was open to non-academic staff, including research officers, senior research officers and doctoral staff, and the assessment criteria was also based on research leadership, publications and grants. Dr Mewton was conferred her doctorate in March 2012 after completing her PhD on the classification of substance use disorders in young adults.
Finally, the Kevin Rozzoli Community Impact Award was granted to Karina Hickey for her work on an indigenous research project called ‘Cannabis: It’s not our culture’. The project engaged indigenous Australian communities in cannabis education, with an emphasis on connecting with participants via artwork, stories and community projects.
In presenting the award, the Hon. Kevin Rozzoli commended Ms Hickey on her approach.
“There is evidence to show such campaigns have more impact when they provide participants with an opportunity to participate in activity rather than rely on reading and writing,” Mr Rozzoli said.
He urged Ms Hickey to follow up the result of the project in a further 18 months.
Nominees for the Community Impact Award had to show evidence of public health impact (such as a change in practice or in policy) and transfer of research findings for the wider benefit of the community.
This year marked the first time the Community Impact Award carried Mr Rozzoli’s name, honouring his 23 years of service to the NDARC board. Mr Rozzoli resigned from the board in 2011.
Pictured: Kevin Rozzoli presenting the Community Impact Award.
