The recipients of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Researchers for 2012 have been announced as Dr Alison Jones, Dr Surya Bhattarai and Professor Brenda Happell.

These awards recognise outstanding researchers who have made a significant contribution to enhancing and supporting research activities. They reward the achievement of outcomes and recognise the important role research leadership plays in the research culture at CQUniversity.

From top, Dr Alison Jones, Dr Surya Bhattarai and Professor Brenda Happell

The Award recipients are:

Early Career Researcher Award:  Dr Alison Jones
Alison's research contributes to assisting reef management including predictions of reef resilience, identifying the conservation value of reefs and predicting the adaptive capacity of reef building corals.  Her research is focused on the southern Great Barrier Reef. 

Mid-Career Researcher Award:  Dr Surya Bhattarai
Research and development of irrigated agriculture is becoming more relevant under the scenario of global climate change in Australia and overseas.  This highly challenging and rewarding research field is extremely relevant to Australian agriculture in general and Central Queensland agriculture in particular as this region plays a significant role in agricultural production, marketing and generation of employment opportunities.

Excellence in Research Award: Professor Brenda Happell
Brenda has a strong record of accomplishment in research in the area of mental health nursing.  Her areas of specific interest include:  the physical health of people experiencing mental illness; consumer participation in mental health services; and mental health nursing education.