At OurFutures, we’re very proud to have earned a number of prestigious awards: thirty since 2012.
We have an exceptional team of researchers who have won these awards both individually and collaboratively, and it’s important to recognise their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Receiving awards such as the ones listed below recognises and rewards outstanding professional achievement and shows a sustained dedication to improving research outcomes.
The awards cover a variety of achievements, including:
– Recognising excellence and accomplishments of both individuals and the team
– Acknowledging rigorous research practices and standards
– Promoting and encouraging innovation
– Supporting ongoing professional growth
Some of the most notable awards include:
– The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Mental Health Promotion/Mental Illness Prevention Service and Program Award, 2021
TheMHS is an international learning network for improving mental health services. The awards recognise innovation, research excellence, best practice and lived experience leadership in mental health services.
– The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine & Health Q1 Makers and Shapers Award for Research Excellence, 2021
Team award for research excellence awarded by the Faculty of Health and Medicine
– The National Alcohol and Other Drug Excellence Awards, ‘Award for Innovation in Prevention and Education’, 2019
This award recognises programs, policies, and resources that make a significant contribution in preventing drug use and drug-related harm. Awarded by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.
– Knowledge Dissemination Award for Climate Schools and Positive Choices, awarded by Australian Rotary Health, 2014.
This award recognises excellence in research in the area of prevention of mental disorders and is aimed at researchers whose work is making a significant impact – showing scientific excellence, public impact, or both.
– The European Society for Prevention Research Rising Star Award, 2022.
This was awarded to Dr Lauren Gardner in recognition of her exceptional contributions to prevention science through the development, evaluation and translation of OurFutures’ innovative preventive interventions.
OurFutures has come a long way, evolving over two decades from rigorous clinical trials all the way to the implementation of our modules in 180 schools Australia-wide. We’re so grateful for the combined effort of such an amazing team over this period.
OurFutures’ Awards:
| Award title | Organisation |
| 2023 | |
| Mental Health Matters Youth Award (Team). | WayAhead |
| Professional Rapid Presentation Prize. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | The Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) Conference |
| 2022 | |
| Makers & Shapers Award for Outstanding Research. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | The University of Sydney |
| European Society for Prevention Research Awards – Rising Star Award. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR) |
| FMH Boost Publication and Travel Funding. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | The University of Sydney |
| Early Career Researcher Potential Award. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) |
| The Leonie Manns Community Impact & Engagement Award. (Team) | The Matilda Centre Awards 2021 |
| 2021 | |
| SEMCAN Viral Bytes People’s Choice Award. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | University of Sydney Early-Mid Career Academic Network (SEMCAN) |
| Service and Program Award in Mental Health Promotion/Mental Illness Prevention category. (Team) | The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) |
| Q1 Makers and Shapers Award for Research Excellence. (Team) | The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine & Health |
| First Time Presenter Award. (Individual – Lyra Egan) | Australian Public Health Conference 2021 |
| Research Excellence Emerging Leader Award. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | 2020 Matilda Centre Award |
| Early Career Research Award. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | 30th The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Conference |
| Abstract of Distinction Award. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | Society for Prevention Research 29th Annual Meeting, Addressing Racism and Disparities when Considering Biology and Context |
| 2020 | |
| Early Career Research Award. (Individual – Dr Lauren Gardner) | 11th European Society for Prevention Research Conference |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 APSAD Early Mid-Career Research award for most cited paper in Drug & Alcohol Review. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | Drug & Alcohol Review |
| 2017 | |
| National Alcohol and Other Drug Excellence Awards, ‘Award for Innovation in Prevention and Education’ for Climate Schools. (Team) | Alcohol and Drug Foundation |
| 2016 | |
| Highly Commended, Early Career Researcher Award. (Individual – Dr Katrina Champion) | The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) |
| Rising Star Award. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) |
| 2015 | |
| PhD Candidate Award. (Individual – Dr Katrina Champion) | Australian Rotary Health and Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders |
| Early Career Research Award. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | Australian Rotary Health and Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders |
| Ian Webster Award for Research Excellence. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) |
| 2014 | |
| UNSW Medicine’s Dean’s List. (Individual – Dr Katrina Champion) | University of New South Wales, Australia |
| Top Ranked Abstract 2014 Postgraduate Research Symposium: Clinical Research. (Individual – Dr Katrina Champion) | Inaugural Postgraduate Research Symposium, University of New South Wales, Australia |
| Knowledge Dissemination Award for Climate Schools and Positive Choices. (Team) | Australian Rotary Health |
| 2013 | |
| Best Student Oral Presentation. (Individual – Dr Katrina Champion) | Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine, 10th Annual Scientific Conference, Newcastle, Australia |
| NSW Young Tall Poppy Award for outstanding achievements in the area of scientific research and communication. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | Australian Institute of Policy and Science |
| Travel award to present at the 21st annual Society for Prevention Research conference. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) International Program and Prevention Research Branch, US. |
| 2012 | |
| AFFIRM Early Career Researcher Award. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research (ASPR) |
| Dean’s Rising Star Award for significant contributions to research. (Individual – Prof Nicola Newton) | Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales |
