Lisa Paul – Chair, Shaping Australia Awards judging panel
I am thrilled to be chairing the judging panel for Universities Australia’s Shaping Australia Awards for its second year.
It was such a pleasure being at the helm for the inaugural program last year, there was no way I was passing up the honour in 2024.
I’m lucky that throughout my career as head of the federal Department of Education, I was exposed to the incredible work Australia’s universities undertake on behalf of the nation. Being involved with the Shaping Australia Awards means I am now even closer to, and have a deeper understanding of, how our institutions are changing lives and shaping the nation’s future.
Promoting and celebrating this work is as much a professional passion of mine as it is a privilege. Let’s face it, Australia wouldn’t be the nation it is today without our universities and the contribution of the talented people who study and work at them.
Their impact is everywhere –from the researchers whose work has produced life-changing inventions such as fireproof paint, penicillin and printable solar cell technology, to the teachers shaping our future generations, including educating our teachers, business leaders and the healthcare professionals caring for Australians young and old. I could go on. That’s why universities and the people in them deserve to be celebrated.
The Shaping Australia Awards do just that, recognising excellence across research, teaching and community service, and honouring the many ways Australia’s universities shape our nation’s future. I’m excited to be joined on the judging panel this year by an eminent group of judges who reflect the national significance of the Shaping Australia Awards. My fellow judges include Peter Cosgrove, former governor-general of Australia; Charlene Davison, a proud Biripi and Gadigal woman, and CEO of the Go Foundation; Michelle Gunn, editor-in-chief of The Australian; Nicholas Moore, Special Envoy for Southeast Asia and former CEO of Macquarie Group; Professor Brian Schmidt, Nobel laureate, and; Annabelle Williams, Paralympic gold medallist and Bond University councillor. People’s choice voting is now open until January 19.
Finalists include the university invention that produces the world’s cheapest green hydrogen, a cutting-edge postgraduate program developing the next generation of medical technology leaders, and an initiative providing individuals with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to experience university life. These are among the 15 inspiring finalists.
Lisa Paul is the Chair of the Shaping Australia Awards panel
