Team Award Finalists
Awarded to a team which may consist of either a work unit team or individuals from different work units whose collaboration has produced an outstanding contribution.
Science and Engineering Challenge team
Michael Cassey, Olivia Clarkson, Chris Hendry, Pete Newman, Anna Popowicz, Alice Hollott, Chase Padgett, Neville Want, and Lisa Campbell
The Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) team has achieved incredible success this year, including a Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion. Through 170 STEM outreach events in 88 locations, they engaged 25,000 students (many from rural, remote and underrepresented groups), along with 1,800 teachers and 414 external stakeholders. The SEC team implemented two new initiatives, including a teacher professional development course on AI tools, and the Next Gen STEM Hub website. Cross-unit collaboration with Wollotuka, Student Living, and UniSTEPS further strengthened cultural inclusion.
Student Hub Project Team
Lisa Ogle, Natalie Perfitt, Lindsey Fratus, Kate McKenny, Anthony Cigula, Nicole Shelford, Anna Carlstrom, Josh Seymour
The Student Hub Project Team delivered the new Student Hub in Auchmuty Library, which integrates services from AskUON, International Student Support, Program Advice and the Library. By creating a one-stop shop for student advice in the heart of the Callaghan campus, this project saw a 25 percent increase in library visitors, 11 percent uplift in AskUON interactions, and strong student feedback praising efficiency and inclusivity. Boosting student engagement and satisfaction, this team achieved service excellence while revitalising a key student space at Callaghan.
The Quality and Standards Team
Dr Louisa Connors, Dr Truman Smith, Melanie Barlow, Kim Besser, Jacqueline McLauchlan, Natalie Menzies, and Julia Shaw
Higher education in Australia is overseen by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). In 2024–25, the Quality and Standards Team led the institution’s high-stakes re-registration process with TEQSA. The team was formed through internal collaboration to address identified gaps and challenges. They scaled up rapidly, drawing expertise from Colleges and Divisions to build a cross-unit collaboration that coordinated over 600 pieces of evidence and embedded sustainable frameworks for ongoing compliance. This high-stakes project was fundamental to the University’s licence to operate and culminated in the strongest possible outcome: re-registration without conditions, for the maximum allowable period.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.