The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) has announced the winners of the 2025 Award for Innovation and Excellence in Impact on Higher Education Policy and Practice, honouring individuals and teams whose work is reshaping equity in higher education.
This award recognises those who have made significant contributions to shaping policy and transforming practices in ways that drive positive outcomes in higher education student equity.
Recognising the diverse ways in which excellence can be demonstrated, the scheme honours three recipients, each excelling in different aspects of the award criteria. This approach acknowledges the wide-ranging and impactful work being undertaken across the sector, whether through innovation, advocacy, collaboration, or evidence-based practice.
Recipients have demonstrated a profound ability to bridge research, advocacy, and practical application, ensuring that their efforts result in sustainable, real-world outcomes. Their work spans the student lifecycle, from pre-access and participation to completion and post-graduation pathways.
Award recipients were recognised at Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025: The Australian Student Equity Symposium in Sydney.
2025 Award Recipients
Impact and Effectiveness
Citation: ACSES Award for Innovation and Excellence in Impact on Higher Education Policy and Practice 2025 — Impact and Effectiveness.
Summary: Indigenous-led Redesign of Diabetes Education: Breaking Barriers for Vulnerable Learners at UTS, University of Technology Sydney, for innovation and excellence in Impact and Effectiveness, through its development of a transformative approach to addressing educational barriers faced by Indigenous health professionals, including key innovations around virtual clinical placements, Indigenous Student Connect yarning circles, and a Cultural Empathy Toolkit, the latter of which has been adopted by multiple institutions and embedded in national training standards. The program led to marked increases in Indigenous student enrolments between 2019 and 2025 and 100% retention and completion rates.
Professor Leanne Holt (UNSW Sydney) presented Dr Shannon Lin and Grace Ward (UTS) with their award.
Evidence and Research-Based Approaches
Citation: ACSES Award for Innovation and Excellence in Impact on Higher Education Policy and Practice 2025 — Evidence and Research-Based Approaches.
Summary: The Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), The University of Queensland, for innovation and excellence in Evidence and Research-Based Approaches, through its development of influential national policy reports and practice frameworks, including the development of the Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework (SEHEEF), work on equity group definitions, compounding disadvantage, and access and outcomes to university, and work on student equity programs and policy levers in for the Australian Universities Accord.
Kath Nelly (Curtin University) presented Associate Professor Mark Robinson (UQ) with the award.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Citation: ACSES Award for Innovation and Excellence in Impact on Higher Education Policy and Practice 2025 — Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement.
Summary: The Eastern Australian Regional University Centre Partnership (EARUCP) for innovation and excellence in Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement, through its use of collaborative community-first approaches, including community co-design, in widening participating efforts via a network of 23 universities and 14 Regional University Study Hubs in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Professor Paul Harpur (UQ) presented Erin Wrafter and Chris Ronan (EARUCP team) with their award.
Award Criteria
Up to three recipients are recognised each year for demonstrating excellence across five key areas:
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Innovation and Originality – new approaches and creative solutions to complex issues in student equity.
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Impact and Effectiveness – measurable outcomes and lasting improvements for equity students.
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Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement – partnerships with leaders, practitioners, students, and communities.
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Advocacy and Leadership – championing policy and practice change.
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Evidence and Research-Based Approach – applying rigorous research to inform and evaluate practice.
Congratulations to the 2025 awardees, whose work is transforming higher education access, participation, and success for students from equity backgrounds.
Explore the Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025 Symposium.
