VC Excellence Awards

Meet Professor Alison Downham Moore, Researcher of the Year winner. Nominated by Associate Professor Charles Barbour, Alison specialises in history and medical humanities at the University’s School of Arts.

This award recognises Alison’s track record of outstanding research and acknowledges the very best research achievement at the University.

Alison said the award was immensely important because it recognises the humanities discipline as a field with demonstrable impact extending well beyond the institution.

‘I think my success reflects the renewed esteem for humanities of our current Vice Chancellor and the institution’s growing culture of gender equity… I would like to call out linguist Dariush Izadi and biochemist Phoebe Zhou - two remarkable research leaders themselves, and Anchal Garg at Bond University who has blossomed into an extraordinary psychologist and feminist,’ Alison said.

Alison’s humanistic research identifies the voices of long understudied and forgotten patients throughout the history of medicine.

Alison was awarded two Australian Research Council (ARC) grants in 2025, for research into the cultural history of workplace fatigue, and a world first write up of the global history of hysterectomy.

Alison’s award mirrors the international recognition for her book  The French Invention of Menopause,  and her unwavering commitment to engaging beyond the academy.

‘I see this award reflecting the impact of my deep commitment to mentoring of many culturally and linguistically diverse researchers across many disciplines of the humanities and sciences,’ Alison said.

As a researcher, sharing her expertise by supervising students is part of a lifelong learning process:

‘I have never felt prouder than when seeing my PhD and MRes candidates submit their finished theses. Watching my students cross the stage at graduation always makes me so happy for them it makes me tear-up.’

Alison said studying the arts is a crucial way to understanding the past and approaching the future:

‘Arts teach reflective, critical thinking, creativity, understanding of difference, and a sense of the contexts that have made our lives possible and make us think the way we do’, she continued.

I am extremely excited to see what the ever-inspiring and gracious Alison pursues in the future, and the findings of her ongoing ARC work.

Alison is also an elected academic staff member of Western’s Board of Trustees.

Meet the 2025 VC’s Excellence in Service Award winner Mark Holmes! You may already know Mark because his reputation as a colleague who will tirelessly help others proceeds him.

Mark’s role as International Student Liaison Officer in the Student Services Hub is one that requires a unique blend of passion, compliance, and knowledge of complex processes.

‘I support students through some of the most challenging moments of their lives while also ensuring the University meets its regulatory obligations,’ Mark said.

‘Students and staff alike look to me for certainty during times of uncertainty, and if a student leaves an interaction feeling heard, informed, and confident in the guidance they have received, regardless of the outcome, I believe I have successfully fulfilled my role,’ he continued.

Mark said he was deeply honoured to be recognised by his peers, saying:

‘This award represents not only individual recognition but a shared commitment to student success and a culture of collegiality, trust, and collaboration that I am proud to be part of at Western.’

Looking ahead, Mark’s key focus is on strengthening early-intervention support for international students. This year, Mark co-launched the International Student Advisor Network, a forum for staff to share expertise, identify emerging risks, and improve collaborative communication.

I’d like to thank Mark for his exceptional work in strengthening our international students’ sense of belonging, trust and confidence in our University to deliver them the world-class education they seek. We are proud to have him as a colleague at Western.

Meet the 2025 VC Excellence Award winner for Strengthening Student Success, Dr Amer Hijazi. Dr Hijazi is an Associate Lecturer in Construction Management for the School of Built Environment and Design.

On the day of the ceremony, Dr Hijazi mentioned how eager he was to teach a class later that afternoon, and said the award reflects a shared achievement with his students and colleagues in practically transforming the learning experience into an inclusive space.

Dr Hijazi is passionate about the unique perspectives our students bring to the classroom, saying their diversity, resilience and motivation enriches the learning environment for all. Supporting student success, he said, is central to everything we do, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share:

‘By supporting students, we are investing in future professionals who will shape more sustainable, innovative, and resilient communities,’ he said.

Dr Hijazi said a sustained commitment to teaching involves listening, adapting approaches, and connecting learning at all times to the real-world challenges students must prepare for.

‘The aim is to transform the student learning experience from a focus on completing tasks for marks into developing a mindset of innovation, capability, and meaningful contribution,’ Dr Hijazi said.

‘Education is directly connected to real industry opportunities through technology, including Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital engineering,’ he continued.

Dr Hijazi, in collaboration with the School of Built Environment and Design, and Launch Pad initiatives, is leading efforts to establish an incubation centre for student-led work, enabling students to gain hands-on industry experience while creating pathways to generate income from their projects.

‘The most important lesson I can impart on my students is to stay curious, adaptable, and committed to learning. These are the qualities that will define their success in a rapidly evolving industry,’ Dr Hijazi said.

I am excited to see how his work will continue to support our students’ transition into competent and employable professionals. Congratulations to Dr Hijazi for your continued commitment to our students!

Meet the 2025 VC Excellence Award winner for Leading Indigenous Acceleration, Lindsay McCabe.

Nominated by Professor Jason Pandya-Wood, Lindsay is a proud palawa iuna (palawa kani for woman) and an associate lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, whose family hails from northeast lutruwita (the palawa kani name for Tasmania). Lindsay grew up on Dharug Country and is a Western Sydney local.

Lindsay’s nomination was an exceptional demonstration of her commitment to advancing Indigenous education, research, and engagement. Lindsay sees the award as recognition of all those who’ve show her initiatives unwavering support.

‘It’s also a reminder that we are making things happen in our communities, which isn’t always easy to see without taking that step back,’ she said.

Lindsay emboldens her students to undertake every possible opportunity, saying that Western’s students are something special:

‘Having taught at many different universities, I can say that students at WSU are the best – so many of our students have survived the horrors of war and displacement, many hold significant caring responsibilities within their families, and many students are working more than one job to make ends meet, yet all of them recognise the value of education and go to extraordinary lengths to study. The students make me incredibly proud to work here.’

I share Lindsay’s sentiment that our mission is to provide accessible education for all. Lindsay looks forward to a future where Indigenous-led learning is embedded as a matter of practice.

Lindsay says listening is a crucial first step in a sustained commitment to Indigenous leadership, an achievement that can only be met through consistent collaboration in reducing the harms of colonialism. She says she sees this in our excellent people:

‘Sustained commitment to Indigenous Leadership looks like the everyday practices of people like Michelle Trudgett, Corrinne Sullivan, and Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews. They have really set a high bar for Indigenous leadership in the university sector, and strong example for us all to follow.’

Congratulations Lindsay for accelerating Indigenous leadership every day in your practice. We look forward to seeing everything you achieve in the future!

Meet the 2025 VC Excellence Award winners for Unlocking Global Impact: the Vietnam Team, comprising Adjunct Professor Douglas Foster, Vietnam Provost; and Dr Tim Hall, Vietnam Deputy Provost, Vietnam; and the team in Vietnam. Nominated by Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Partnerships and Transnational Education, Dr Nicolene Murdoch, this award recognises the efforts of an individual or a team to enhance the University’s international collaborations, reputation, and reach.

A big thanks to Dr Tim Hall for accepting the award on the day, as Dr Foster was in Vietnam at the time!

Dr Foster said the award is both a personal honour and an important reflection of the University team and our long-standing partnership with the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH).

'It represents the strength of our shared commitment to delivering high-quality transnational education and creating meaningful opportunities for students in Vietnam. For me, it reinforces the importance of building sustainable global partnerships that drive both academic excellence and real-world impact.’

The team has been at the heart of student successes in Vietnam, with Dr Foster describing students’ energy and ambition as his favourite part of the job.

One striking part about the Vietnam team’s win is their commitment to the Myanmar Refugee and Displaced Student program. So far, 15 displaced students from refugee camps on the Thai-Myanmar border have been supported to study with us in Vietnam.

It has been my privilege to meet these students when I have visited our Vietnam campus, and they have left me inspired each time. The program is funded from the Office of the Provost Vietnam and provides travel support, accommodation, tuition waivers, and a living stipend. This is just one of many initiatives which offers a totally transformative opportunity for our students who otherwise would be unable to access higher education.

‘Global impact is ultimately a collective effort. It is built through collaboration, trust, and a shared vision across teams and institutions,’ Dr Foster said.

‘I would encourage colleagues to embrace international engagement, as it not only enriches our students’ experiences but also strengthens our institution’s global relevance and contribution.’

We have big plans over the coming years to expand what we do in Vietnam with our wonderful partners at UEH. This includes a Master of Business Analytics, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Congratulations to Dr Foster, Dr Hall, and everyone involved in creating life changing pathways for our students.

One of the key elements of our new Research Strategy, which is under development, will be to improve support for outstanding research careers and stronger research outcomes.

Dr Ying Xu, the winner of the 2025 VC Excellence Award for Driving Research and Innovation, personifies the best of Western’s up-and-coming researchers, and she has a great future ahead of her.

Nominated by Professor Greg Cohen, Ying is from the MARCS Institute’s International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems.

Winning a VC Excellence Award, she says, ‘is a wonderful encouragement and a reminder that research can make a real difference when it is driven by curiosity, persistence, and collaboration’.

‘I also see it as recognition of the support from my colleagues, students, and research partners along the way.’ MARCS Institute Director, Professor Kate Stevens and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Ian Anderson were on hand at the awards event to see Ying secure the award.

The judging panel singled her out for her high-impact translation of neuromorphic auditory sensing research into defence-relevant maritime capability.

So what exactly is this? Ying explains her research ‘looks at how we can design hearing-inspired sensing systems that process sound in a more brain-like and energy-efficient way’.

In practice, this means developing new approaches to detect, recognise, and localise sounds in challenging real-world environments, including underwater settings.

Ying believes the award demonstrates that ‘there is strong value in research that bridges fundamental science, engineering, and practical deployment. It is encouraging to see this kind of interdisciplinary work being recognised’.

‘The most rewarding part is seeing research move beyond the lab and into real applications. I really value the moments when a concept becomes a working system, or when a student or collaborator grows through the research process. That combination of discovery and impact is what keeps me motivated,’ she says.

Since delivering about $1 million in earlier defence and industry grants and contracts, Ying has advanced the work from laboratory prototype stage to partner-aligned implementation.

Her sustained translation and stakeholder engagement have secured ongoing and significant partner investment, including the $2.88 million AquaColliculus program awarded last year.

As a young research leader in her field, Ying says her plans are to continue developing research that connects fundamental innovation with practical outcomes.

‘I would like to strengthen collaborations, support the next generation of researchers, and further expand the real-world applications of auditory neuromorphic engineering. I am excited about building research that is both creative and impactful,’ she says.

Meet the winners of the 2025 VC Excellence Award ‘Unleashing Western Sydney’:
the Factory of the Future (FoF) team! This nomination is for the team led by Don Wright (Executive Director, Innovation) behind the development and delivery of FoF at Bankstown City campus.

Nominated by Paul Hogan, the FoF team have fully embodied the objective of unleashing Western Sydney with meaningful community engagement in only a few short months after launching last year.

The team said the award was a significant milestone for them, recognising the collective effort, innovation, and impact of their work, which has centred their commitment to advancing modern manufacturing through ground-breaking tech, applied research, and industry partnerships.

The team said FoF works best as a collective effort, particularly when professional staff connect students to opportunities where they can take their ideas beyond a PowerPoint pitch.

'Embedding practical, industry-linked experiences into the curriculum, encouraging participation, and collaborating across disciplines all amplify the impact.'

'It’s also important to see the Factory not just as a facility, but as a platform; one that supports teaching, enhances student outcomes, and strengthens industry engagement. The more it’s integrated into learning and research, the more value it delivers for everyone,' the team said.

The team are already excited for what’s next, and explained that it’s not simply what the Factory can achieve, but how far the impact can go:

'It’s about becoming a place where businesses come not just to learn, but to solve problems and co-create the future.'

'Equally exciting is the impact on students. Seeing them move through the Factory and into industry as highly capable, confident professionals who are already fluent in advanced manufacturing and digital technologies,' they continued.

The FoF team is forging the way for manufacturing and entrepreneurship in the region and is a prime example of how the work we do establishes our University at the epicentre of innovation and functionality.

Congratulations Don, Anna, Sudesh, Lindsay, John, and everyone involved in this standout program! I loved visiting and launching this initiative and am excited to see what it delivers for our community in the years to come.

Introducing the winners of the 2025 VC Excellence Award ‘Securing Sustainability.’ Nominated by Dr Shane Griffin, this award recognises an individual or team that ensures Western can continue to lead the world in promoting environmental, financial, and social sustainability. The combined team from the Office of Teaching and Research Technical Services (TRTS) comprises:

• Dr Tosin Famakinwa - Technical Manager, Built Environment and Engineering
• Trevor Johnstone - Senior Technical Support Officer, Architecture
• Vincent Wozniak-O'Connor - Senior Technical Support Officer, Advanced Manufacturing
• Saif Tareq - Technical Support Officer, Advanced Manufacturing & Design

The TRTS Engineering team have been turning waste materials from 3D printing student’s projects into recyclable trophies for end of year University presentations. This not only gives materials a second life but conserves costs.

The team have also been pressing recyclable waste plastic into sheet materials for students to use in class.

In case you didn’t think the TRTS Engineering team could get busier, they also support the Western Sydney Solar Car team and play a hands-on role supporting students creating the world-renowned solar vehicle.

The team said centring sustainability has been crucial and rewarding:

“Focusing on sustainability is important for the university and globally because it reduces environmental impact while building long term resilience in education, industry and society,” they said.

“In the context of plastic recycling and 3D printing waste management, our project plays a key role by reducing plastic waste sent to landfill, lowering material costs and modelling responsible practices for future engineers, designers and researchers.”

“Recycling failed prints and plastic offcuts into reusable product supports circular economy principles, cuts carbon emissions and embeds sustainability into teaching, research and innovation,” they continued.

The team’s favourite part of their work is helping students close the loop on waste and seeing them test and transform used materials into new products to be used for design, architecture, engineering, and manufacturing industries.

The team’s work is deeply inspiring, and I am really looking forward to seeing how this project facilitates our students’ ownership of sustainability, which is one of our University’s key missions.