The University of Western Australia has a continual roll call of awards, scholarships and prizes presented to staff and students.

To recognise these achievements, an article is published on the UWA news page on the website and in UWA Forward on the first week of every month. If you know of great awards or achievements across the University please email [email protected].

Name: Priscilla Hubbard
Achievement:  Priscilla Hubbard, a Master of Landscape Architecture student, was awarded a 2025 Landscape Architecture Australia Student Prize. Ms Hubbard was awarded the prize for her graduating project Trees for Some: Understanding fairness and representation in Greater Perth’s private tree policy making.  Trees for Some emerged from observing that Local Government Areas adopting Tree Retention Policies for trees over eight metres on private land were predominantly in Perth’s more affluent western suburbs. The research examined whether Tree Retention Policies are a fair and equitable mechanism for protecting privately owned trees across Greater Perth. The Landscape Architecture Australia Student Prize identifies and shares graduating projects produced in landscape architecture education across the country. Universities nominate a student based on their end-of-year presentation and these are then blindly reviewed by an independent jury.

Name: Grace Nicolson
Achievement: Grace Nicolson has been awarded the 2026 National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association Wildcard Pharmacy Student of the Year. During the competition third- and fourth-year pharmacy students compete by demonstrating their counselling skills to a panel of judges. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National Vice-President, Caroline Diamanti said not only do the finalists need to solve complex, clinical case studies, but they also need to explain them clearly and effectively, while providing clinical information before a panel of pharmacists and over 300 of their peers. “I want to congratulate Grace and every student who put their hand up to compete,” she said. “The competition is a wonderful experience that ensures current students, our future pharmacists, have the confidence and leadership skills necessary to succeed in the profession.” Grace will compete against the other state and territory Pharmacy Student of the Year winners for the chance to take home the National title.

Name:  Wei Liu and Sheree Pudney
Achievement:  Associate Professor Wei Liu and Sheree Pudney, from The UWA Data Institute, were recognised at the 2025 Women in Technology WA  Awards for their outstanding contributions to the technology sector. Associate Professor Liu, newly appointed Deputy Director of the UWA Data Institute, received the Digital Education Award, which recognises her leadership and innovation in artificial intelligence and data science education. Associate Professor Liu’s work continues to shape responsible and impactful approaches to data and AI, inspiring students, colleagues and collaborators across the University and beyond. Sheree Pudney, program manager at the UWA Data Institute, was awarded the Advocacy, Community and Volunteering Award in recognition of her commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in technology through initiatives such as the Girls’ Programming Network and CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools. Her sustained engagement with community and education partners exemplifies the importance of mentoring and advocacy in building future capability in the digital workforce.

Name:  Bek Morrison and James Hill
Achievement:  Bek Morrison and James Hill have been awarded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Leader Scholarships to support their career aspirations, education and strengthen their research at The Kids Research Institute Australia.  Bek is an Honours student at UWA and her research for the Aboriginal Parenting Project focusses on providing culturally safe support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, aiming to disrupt the impact of intergenerational trauma. James is completing his studies at UWA to become a clinical psychologist, and his research seeks to improve social and emotional wellbeing for LGBTQIA+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, evaluate the stigma experienced by transgender youth, and improve mental health outcomes.

Name: Victorien Paumard
Achievement: Dr Victorien Paumard, from the School of Earth and Oceans, will represent UWA in the Early and Mid-Career Researchers  Reference Group to strengthen the voice of emerging research leaders across the State. Supported by the WA's Chief Scientist, Professor Sharath Sriram, the group will support the work of the WA Science and Technology Council and contribute to the broader implementation of the State's 10-Year Science and Technology Plan. It will also be a platform for early and mid-career researchers to raise their national and international profile, enhance policy and advocacy engagement, and build peer mentoring and professional networks. It will help ensure government policies and programs supporting science and technology effectively address the needs and priorities of early and mid-career researchers.

Congratulations UWA staff, alumni and students.

Image top: Bek Morrison, James Hill, Wei Liu and Sheree Pudney.