From Indigenous-led health programs to regional university partnerships and cutting-edge research, the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) acknowledged individuals and teams driving real change in higher education at the 2025 ACSES Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Impact on Higher Education Policy and Practice.
Presented last night at the Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025 Symposium in Sydney, the awards recognise work which is transforming equity outcomes across Australia by shaping policy, advancing practice and delivering tangible results for students from diverse backgrounds.
WINNERS
Impact and Effectiveness
Led by Dr Shannon Lin, the Indigenous-led Redesign of Diabetes Education program at the University of Technology Sydney has transformed access for Indigenous health professionals through virtual placements, Indigenous Student Connect yarning circles and the Cultural Empathy Toolkit – achieving 100 per cent retention and completion rates and national adoption of key innovations.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Through partnerships across 23 universities and 14 Regional University Study Hubs and led by Erin Wrefter, the Eastern Australian Regional University Centre Partnership (EARUCP) has expanded pathways to higher education for regional students using co-design and community-first approaches.
Evidence and Research-Based Approaches
Led by Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski, the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) at the University of Queensland has undertaken research which has informed national policy and frameworks, including the Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework (SEHEEF), guiding improvements in access and outcomes for students from equity backgrounds.
ACSES Executive Director Professor Shamit Saggar congratulated the recipients, noting the profound impact their work has had across the student lifecycle.
“These awardees are driving change that makes higher education more inclusive and more effective,” Professor Saggar said.
“Their work demonstrates how research, advocacy and practical action can come together to deliver real outcomes for students who face barriers in accessing and succeeding at university.”
