Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholars have been recognised for their efforts to build bridges between academia and public policy.
The Sir Roland Wilson Foundation annual prizes honour scholars’ achievements over the past year. In 2024 the following prizes were awarded:
Thaarramali Pearson from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations won the Pat Turner Prize (Coursework) for the highest weighted average mark of a coursework scholar in Semester 1 of 2024. He is undertaking a Master of Public Administration at The Australian National University (ANU).
Natalie Bryant from the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority won the Pat Turner Prize (Research) for her rigorous, relevant and accessible research at ANU.
Natalie has developed the Indigenist Critical Policy Analysis framework, a tool for assessing policies and development processes for alignment with Indigenous rights and standards. The framework responds directly to challenges raised by the Productivity Commission in its 2024 Closing the Gap review and offers a structured, Indigenous rights-based approach to policy assessment that is innovative and practical.
Natalie has engaged with academia and the Australian Public Service (APS) – presenting her research at conferences in Australia and internationally, along with stakeholders at her home agency, the NSW Government and the British Columbia Ministry of Health in Canada. Her work is also being considered by the Indigenous community-controlled sector.
Sir Roland Wilson scholar Helen Mitchell won the Joan Uhr Prize for her research and the extensive networks she has developed across academia and the public service.
Helen has developed a modern economic statecraft framework – a theoretical work with insightful empirical applications to US-China technology competition and China-Taiwan tensions.
As a result of Helen’s research, Australian Public Service (APS)-wide structures and cross-sectoral networks have been established that will ensure a whole-of-nation approach to integrated statecraft.
Dr Paul Hubbard from the Department of Finance won the Ian Castles Alumni Prize for his efforts in building knowledge and connections between ANU and the APS.
Paul has created pathways into the APS for top students from ANU and continues to mentor students at the university.
Through his Masked Economist podcast, Paul interviews public servants, academics and other experts on key economic topics. Interviewees are able to share their ideas with an active and engaged audience, and the public service gains access to critical expert advice.
Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Chair, Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM congratulated all Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholars, particularly the prize winners.
“I encourage to continue your important work. Beyond your studies and research, the links you are building between academic research and the public service are second to none,” Dr Parkinson said.
“Your work is shaping a better future for all Australians.”
The Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship is a three-year, full-pay scholarship for PhD research at The Australian National University for high performing EL1 and EL2 Australian Public Service employees.
The Pat Turner scholarship is a one-to-three year, full-pay scholarship for any level of postgraduate study at ANU or Charles Darwin University for high performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS 4 to SES Band 1 APS employees.
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Image: Adam McGrath/HCreations