University of Queensland Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Director Professor James Ward has received the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership Award.
Proud Pitjantjatjara and Narungga man Professor Ward was recognised among eight outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers in the 2023 Lowitja Institute awards.
Professor Ward said it was an honour to receive this prestigious award.
“Seeing all the powerful research that Indigenous people are doing to improve the health of our people globally at the Lowitja Conference this week has been energising and extraordinary,” Professor Ward said.
“I stand on the shoulders of many leaders here this week who have paved the way for me to do the research I do.
“I congratulate the other award recipients who have shown amazing leadership in Indigenous health and wellbeing research.”
The awards were presented at the 3rd Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, on the lands of the Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji and Yirrganydji peoples, in Cairns.
Lowitja Institute CEO Dr Janine Mohamed said the national awards honoured excellence and contribution to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Our conference showcases transformational community-led research that is grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing,” Dr Mohamed said.
“Our award winners epitomise this work.
“For too long, our people were subject to huge amounts of research but were largely locked out of the research process.
“Our award winners have all challenged and disrupted that paradigm, and are working in ways and on research priorities that our communities need and want.
“We congratulate them all and thank them for their dedication and rigour.”
The full list of winners of the 2023 Lowitja Institute awards are:
- Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership Awards for Outstanding Research Leadership: Professor James Ward, Professor Jaquelyne Hughes, proud Goemulgal ipeka (woman) of the Wagadagam people from Mabuyag Island
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Award: Ms Amy McQuire
- Pat Anderson Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researcher Awards, recognising emerging leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing research: Associate Professor Odette Pearson, Mrs Betty Sagigi.
- Tarrn-doon-nonin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Ethics Award, recognising an exemplary research project in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing conducted in line with Lowitja Institute’s ethical principles and practices.: Wungenging Aboriginal Corporation
- Lowitja Institute Lifetime Achievement Award: Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney, Dr Pat Anderson
Media: Amanda Donigi, a.donigi@uq.edu.au, 0450 630 653.
