Executive Dean's Message - April 2026

Dear colleagues,

As we reach the end of April, I hope many of you were able to take advantage of the recent Easter break to pause, rest and spend time with family and friends.

With Semester 1 now well underway and the rhythm of teaching and research firmly re‑established, I want to thank you for the continued care, professionalism and commitment you bring to your work across the Faculty.

Congratulations

2026 Pawsey Medal

Congratulations to Cullan Howlett, SMP on receiving the 2026 Pawsey Medal from the Australian Academy of Science. The medal recognises Dr Howlett’s outstanding contributions to cosmology, including his role in building some of the most detailed maps of the universe and co‑leading the discovery of Ho‘oleilana, a vast ‘bubble’ of galaxies that provides rare insight into the structure and evolution of the early universe.

Quantum 100

Congratulations to Jacqui Romero, SMP on being named in the Quantum 100, an international list recognising 100 individuals shaping the future of quantum science as part of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025. Jacqui was recognised for her internationally influential research in quantum entanglement and photonic quantum technologies, particularly her pioneering work in high‑dimensional quantum information, as well as her leadership in advancing equity, inclusion and policy development across the global quantum community.

Dean’s Commendations for Excellent Teaching – Semester 2, 2025

I am delighted to congratulate the 36 Faculty of Science teaching staff who received a Dean’s Commendation for Excellent Teaching for Semester 2, 2025. These commendations are based on nominations from our highest‑achieving students and recognise the outstanding quality of teaching and the positive impact our colleagues have on student learning across the Faculty. On behalf of the Faculty, I sincerely thank all recipients for their continued dedication to delivering an exceptional educational experience.

Recipients (listed alphabetically):

Impressively, four colleagues were recognised in multiple independent student nominations, reflecting a particularly strong impact on the student learning experience: Jimmy Botella (AGFS) (three nominations), Gurion Ang (SENV), Scott Lieske (SENV), and William Woodgate (SENV) (two nominations each).

UQ Amplify scheme

Congratulations to Itia Favre‑Bulle (QBI/SMP) and Julian Steele (AIBN/SMP) on their success in the UQ Amplify scheme, which supports the retention and career progression of externally funded researchers through fixed‑term, research‑focused appointments.

Student Achievement: Georgia Gunew at the Winter Paralympics

Congratulations to Georgia Gunew, Bachelor of Agribusiness student, on her achievement representing Australia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. Georgia was named an Australian flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony and recorded a top‑10 finish in women’s vision‑impaired alpine skiing events, highlighting her performance at the highest level of international competition.

UQ news

UQ Senior Executive Mission to the UK and Europe

It was a privilege to join members of UQ’s senior executive to the UK and Europe and to have the opportunity to meet with over a hundred UQ Alumni, and to visit multiple universities, industry partners, Australian high commissions and embassies, Trade Investment Qld Europe and the European commission. Opportunities arising from this trip include potential research collaborations that would align with Horizon Europe priorities and work programmes, and joint PhD programs and student exchange with several universities. We also had the opportunity to see some great examples of innovation precincts in London and Wageningen. Please let me know if you would like any further information. I also encourage you to attend the international funding and engagement workshop described in the opportunities section below. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, from 2.00–4.00 pm, and you can register online.

Faculty of Science Strategic Priorities 2026 - 2029

Thank you to the many academic and professional staff who contributed to the Faculty of Science Strategic Priorities 2026–2029 survey, the feedback was wonderfully insightful and helpful and will inform the refinement of the draft priorities ahead of finalisation and presentation at the Faculty of Science All Staff Forum in June (see date and details below).

Higher education matters

Please see below a few interesting and relevant articles from recent editions of Future Campus:

• Marking is too important to be left to a chat bot
• Addressing the AI challenge: How to make thinking visible
• Big is not always bad: Taking a deeper look at Australian unis

Opportunities

UQ Awards for Excellence

Nominations are now open for the UQ Awards for Excellence 2026. The UQ Awards for Excellence recognise individuals and teams whose contributions make a distinctive and meaningful difference to our community. They acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our people, supporting and advancing UQ’s success in teaching, research and engagement.

Staff are invited to nominate an individual or a team in one of the following 7 categories:

• Community
• Innovation
• Service
• Reconciliation
• Diversity and inclusion
• Mental and physical health, safety and wellness
• Leadership

All UQ staff are eligible to nominate and be nominated, including professional and academic staff (continuing, fixed-term and casual). Nominations are now open and close at 5pm on Friday 29 May. Award recipients will be announced at a special ceremony in November.

UQ Alumni Awards – Call for Nominations

Nominations are now open for the 2026 UQ Alumni Awards, which recognise alumni who have achieved outstanding success in their careers and made significant contributions to their communities. Staff are encouraged to nominate alumni for this year’s awards, with nominations closing on Friday, 15 May 2026. Further information, including award categories and nomination guidelines, is available on the UQ Alumni website.

Queensland Commitment Staff Ambassador Program

The Queensland Commitment Staff Ambassador Program invites UQ staff to support the University’s commitment to improving access to higher education for Queensland students. Open to staff across teaching, research and professional roles, the program provides an opportunity to contribute through advocacy, engagement and leadership aligned with the Queensland Commitment. Staff are encouraged to consider participating and to share the opportunity with colleagues. Register your interest: The Queensland Commitment Staff Ambassador Program – Fill out form.

2026 Science Awards for Excellence in Teaching – Expressions of Interest Open

Expressions of interest are now open for the 2026 Science Awards for Excellence in Teaching, which recognise individuals and teams who make a significant contribution to teaching and learning in the Faculty of Science. Expressions of interest close at 9.00 am on Monday 8 June 2026. Academic staff across the faculty are encouraged to consider nominating or self‑nominating. Further details, including eligibility and application guidelines, are available via the Faculty Teaching and Learning webpages.

International Funding and Engagement Workshop

Faculty of Science staff are invited to attend Insights into the Funding Landscape: Emerging International Opportunities, a workshop jointly organised by the Faculty of Science, UQ Major Initiatives and UQ Global Partnerships. The session will provide an overview of selected upcoming international funding opportunities, practical case studies on engaging beyond individual funding rounds, and a live Q&A panel with colleagues experienced in international funding and collaboration. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, from 2.00–4.00 pm, and you can register online.

Upcoming events

UQ All Staff Forum

UQ Staff Forum for the year, on Wednesday 3 June, where the VC will share key updates, highlight recent progress and discuss the priorities guiding our work within UQ and the wider university sector. The forum will take place at St Lucia, with venues booked at Gatton, Herston and Dutton Park to watch the live stream. If you are unable to attend in person, you can register to watch the forum via Zoom. Please register online.

Faculty of Science All Staff Forum – 23 June 2026

The Faculty of Science All Staff Forum for Semester 1 will be held on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 from 10am-12pm. The forum will be hosted in person at St Lucia with online participation available. The agenda will include faculty highlights and an overview of the priorities for 2026–2029 and will be followed by morning tea at each of our campuses and sites. Further information and a formal invitation will be shared closer to the date.

Kind regards,
Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean – Faculty of Science