Research Supervision Excellence Awards - 2007

Inspired supervision ... (from left) Professor Craik, Dr Roberts-Thomson and Associate Professor Baldauf

Three Academic Staff have been rewarded for their outstanding supervision of Research Higher Degree Students.

The Awards for Excellence in Research Higher Degree Supervision, worth $10,000, have been announced for 2007 by the University for:

• Associate Professor Richard Baldauf, from the School of Education
  
  
• Professor David Craik, from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), and
  
  
• Dr Sarah Roberts-Thomson, from the School of Pharmacy.

Dr Baldauf is an applied linguist whose research interests centre around language, culture and education, particularly in the Pacific basin and as they relate to teaching English to speakers of other languages.

His students attest to his outstanding qualities as a scholar, intellectual and mentor. They value his constructively critical approach and enthusiasm for and engagement with their research projects.

He has successfully established the “Thesis Family” concept in which students are taught skills as referees and editors, giving them a broader insight into the research process.

A senior lecturer in the School of Pharmacy, Dr Roberts-Thomson’s research interests include transcription factors in cancer as well as nutrition and toxicology.

Her students describe her as uniquely able to inspire, leading by example and providing a highly enjoyable research environment that is structured yet creative, flexible yet focused.

Her expectation that every candidate publish while under her supervision is clearly met – since 2000, her students have published 21 papers, many in top-tier journals.

Australian Research Council Professorial Research Fellow and Group Leader for NMR Spectroscopy Research at the IMB, Professor Craik’s research focuses on drug design and development. With a particular focus on conotoxins and small circular plant proteins, his research is research supervision excellence awards interdisciplinary across physics, biology and chemistry. 

Professor Craik’s students are drawn to him by his reputation as an outstanding researcher. He leads by example and has created a highly productive team.

His students particularly value his strong commitment and dedication to maintaining weekly, face-to-face meetings and the range of discussion opportunities he provides including one-on-one sessions, small group meetings and social gatherings such as a writing retreat.

He strongly encourages and equips his students to publish in significant international journals and to attend conferences to present their work. The group’s publication record is outstanding.

Dean of the UQ Graduate School, Professor Alan Lawson, said high-quality research supervision was the most crucial factor in candidates completing research higher degree studies.

“UQ prides itself on finding a perfect match between research higher degree candidates and supervisors from the start of their studies,” he said.

“This is a two- to four-year relationship requiring compatibility and enthusiasm by both parties.

“Research elsewhere has shown that a failure of this relationship leads to a cessation of study altogether in 90 percent of cases so it is imperative the relationship is strong and nurtured from start to finish.

“UQ provides training and support to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students and staff.”

The awards were introduced in 2000 to recognise, encourage, and reward sustained excellence in graduate student supervision at UQ. All UQ academi staff with advisory responsibility for research higher degree students are eligible.

On this site