The awards, which were hosted by Tertiary Education Minister Hon. Steven Joyce and presented by Victoria alumnus and MP Chris Bishop, were a chance to recognise Victoria staff who have undertaken excellent research, teaching and public engagement in the service of our communities, says Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford.
“Victoria is committed to recognising excellence in all aspects of University life.”
Victoria University is the top-ranked university in New Zealand for research quality under the most recent Performance Based Research Fund Quality Evaluation.
“Each of these researchers is a world leader in their discipline, exploring some of the most pressing issues facing today’s societies. These awards recognise years of work, and celebrate some of the most exciting research currently underway at the University.”
Alongside research excellence, outstanding teaching lies at the heart of Victoria University, says Professor Guilford. “It’s hard to put your finger on what makes a great teacher. It’s a mysterious combination of education, values, personality, commitment, skill and a willingness to experiment with new methods of engaging and inspiring students.”
For the first time this year, Victoria presented Engagement Excellence Awards to two staff who have demonstrated how academic thought can inform and stimulate public debate. “We are determined to ensure that our communities—local, regional, national and international—benefit from the University’s globally-ranked academic excellence.”
It was also an opportunity for those who attended—members of parliament, diplomats, notable Wellingtonians, local councillors and Victoria alumni—to meet top students who participated in Victoria’s Summer Scholars Scheme, and had their research achievements on display.
2016 recipients
The 2016 recipients of Victoria University of Wellington Staff Excellence Awards:
Research Excellence Awards
- Dr Joseph Bulbulia, Associate Professor at the School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Dr Nick Golledge, Senior Research Fellow at the Antarctic Research Centre in the Faculty of Science
- Professor Mengjie Zhang, Associate Dean at the School of Engineering and Computer Science in the Faculty of Engineering
Read the full citations for the research excellence award recipients.
Teaching Excellence Award
- Dr Deirdre Brown, Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science
- Dr Matthias Lein, Senior Lecturer at the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences in the Faculty of Science
- Dr Diane Ormsby, Lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science
Read the full citations for the teaching excellence award recipients.
Engagement Excellence Award
- Professor Rawinia Higgins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori)
- Dr Carwyn Jones, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law
Read the full citations for the engagement excellence award recipients.