2012 Staff Awards

A number of staff were recently acknowledged for excellence in teaching, research, service and engagement at the Faculty Staff Awards 2012.

Staff awards have previously been decided based solely on written application; this year, a number of ‘commendations’ were also added in the four categories, submitted by Heads of School or area. The peak awards in each area were still decided based on the traditional method of application.

It's fantastic to look over the great variety of work our staff are being awarded for – curriculum design, research across a variety of areas, service in administrative and academic areas, and the very varied ways we are approaching engagement, with industry, with partner organisations, with schools. These awards are also a really good snapshot of the very great variety of work being done throughout the Faculty.

Here are the award recipients for 2012:

Teaching Commendations:
Ms Helen Yang, School of Accounting and Finance
For contribution to the scholarship of trans-national teaching and her leadership as site coordinator, Liaoning University.

Ms Elizabeth Porublev, School of International Business
For innovation and creativity in the design and development of assessment form and media in the unit Advertising and Market Communication.

Dr Di Fan and Dr Annie Delaney, School of Management and Information Systems
For leading and implementing the redesign and redevelopment of the Human Resource Management BBus specialisation.

Dr Jennifer O’Reilly and Dr Carolyn Woodley, Victoria Law School
For having the strongest student feedback in the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Student Evaluation of Unit in VLS and SZCC respectively.

Award For Excellence In Teaching:
Dr Naomi Augar, School of Management and Information Systems
For outstanding work leading the development of the new BSPISM Information Systems Management specialisation, resulting in the streamlining of two previous degrees, and achieving a very favourable outcome when the new specialisation was re-accredited with the Australian Computer Society.


Research Commendations:
Dr Maria Prokofieva, School of Accounting and Finance
For proactive efforts to establish a postdoctoral research profile in accounting research, working with international and Australian collaborators and for producing outputs judged by her peers as exemplary.

Dr Torgeir Watne, School of International Business
For proactive efforts to establish a postdoctoral research profile in consumer behaviour research, working with international and Australian collaborators and for producing outputs judged by his peers as exemplary.

Dr Axel Korthaus, School of Management and Information Systems
For proactive efforts to establish a postdoctoral research profile in information systems, working with international and Australian collaborators and for producing outputs judged by his peers as exemplary.

Ms Megan Bowman, Victoria Law School
For initiating debate and discussion on the role of banks in impacting government climate policy to promote corporate responsibility and encourage capital flow to alternative energy markets in the wider community.

Dr Min Jiang, Centre for Tourism and Services Research
For concerted efforts as a postdoctoral research fellow to establish a strong emerging research reputation built on significant publications and grant efforts in the area of Tourism and the Green Economy.

Award For Excellence In Research
Dr Nada Kulen, School of Accounting and Finance For outstanding research leadership and an excellent publication record in the areas of tourism economics and tourism forecasting. Service Commendations



Service Commendations:
Ms Marlene Alvares, School of Accounting and Finance For consistent high level of service provided to both students and staff, noting her contribution to the improvements to the Student Experience Surveys and involvement in the SES Review Working Party.

Ms Tina Jeggo, Faculty Office
For expert and professional support to postgraduate research supervisors and higher degree by research (HDR) students.

Award For Excellence In Service:
The undergraduate selection officer team: Rob Jovanovic, Austin Norman, Nick Billington, George Comodromous, Abdul Rahman, Mohamed Saleh, Francine Brennan, Ray Magid, Lisa West, Despina Whitefield
For undertaking one of the most important tasks within the Faculty, namely evaluating all applications made for admission to undergraduate courses. Many thousands of applications need to be considered, ranked and offered.


Engagement Commendations
Dr Peter Demediuk, School of Accounting and Finance
For outstanding engagement and collaboration through long term relationships and activities with external networks, industry, alumni in the workplace all contributing to knowledge sharing and service to VU, its community and the wider business community.

Mr Scott Murray, Faculty Marketing Team
For outstanding engagement with secondary school students and teachers throughout the western region and beyond, via a rich program of curriculum-focused business and law programs.

Award For Excellence In Engagement
The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre team: The Hon Frank Vincent, Sue Marshall, Heather McLean, Desiree Holland, Melanie Perkins, Tony McCartney, Silvana Scibilia, Elizabeth Rigney, Phil Tang, Dr Carolyn Woodley, Andrew Cope, Pamela Wilson-Endrina, Leanne Glover-Richards, Anastasia Vu, Joan Broughan, Christopher Leach, Yang Zou, Betty Presilska, Nadeepa Goonatillake, Dr Rodger Fernandez, Virginia Trescowthick, Madeleine Bracher, Joel Edwards, Stella West, Ryan Edwards, Katherine Strudwick, Marlowe Wynne-Woodley, Darcy Pannam, Matt Anderson
For the entire team at the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for working to engage with hundreds of partners to enhance the professionalism of workers in legal roles and to empower workers with increased legal literacy.