Inaugural ACDHS Awards 2024
Celebrating Distinction in Allied Health
About the awards
The ACDHS Awards, are designed to honour exceptional contributions and innovations in the field of allied health. These prestigious awards aim to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of educators, researchers, and leaders who are making significant impacts within their communities and advancing the field of health sciences.
Award categories
- Allied Health Education – Innovation Award
- Allied Health First Nations – Leadership/Engagement Award
- Allied Health Research – Impact Award
Focus: The AH Education – Innovation Award recognises educators who have demonstrated exceptional innovation in teaching methods or curriculum development within the health education field. Eligible candidates should have implemented innovative approaches that contribute to advancing healthcare education and improving outcomes for students and future health professionals.
Scope: The Allied Health Education – Innovation Award aims to recognise and celebrate outstanding innovative practices in allied health education. This award focuses on initiatives that have significantly improved educational outcomes, enhanced the learning experience, or introduced new methodologies and technologies in allied health training. It acknowledges efforts that align with ACDHS’s strategic objectives of strengthening education, promoting research, and meeting the health needs of communities. Eligible projects may include curriculum development, use of digital tools, interprofessional education, and novel approaches to clinical education.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be educators employed by a university that is a current financial member of ACDHS. (If unsure, contact leonie@acdhs.edu.au)
- Nominees must demonstrate innovation in teaching methods or curriculum development within the health education field.
- The finalist will be notified in September and will be supported to attend the ACDHS Symposium and awards presentation.
Prize: $3000 cash award and framed award certificate.
Focus: The AH First Nations – Leadership/Engagement Award celebrates individuals from the First Nations community who exhibit outstanding leadership qualities and active engagement in initiatives that promote community development, cultural preservation, or advocacy.
Scope: The Allied Health First Nations – Leadership/Engagement Award recognises exemplary leadership and engagement efforts that support and promote First Nations perspectives in allied health. This award honours individuals who have embedded culturally safe practices, advocated for First Nations health issues, or developed programs that enhance the capacity and participation of First Nations students and professionals in the allied health workforce. This aligns with ACDHS’s commitment to incorporating First Nations perspectives and supporting workforce capacity development.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Individuals eligible for nomination must be of First Nations descent.
- Please provide proof or confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait heritage – AIATSIS proof of Aboriginality.
- Nominees should have a proven track record of leadership, engagement, and positive impact within their allied health community or impact within Australian communities.
- The finalist will be notified in September and will be supported to attend the ACDHS Symposium and awards presentation.
Prize: $3000 cash award and framed award certificate.
Focus: The AH Research – Impact Award acknowledges researchers who have conducted impactful research contributing to societal change, advancements, or practical applications within the health sciences.
Scope: The Allied Health Research – Impact Award is dedicated to recognising significant contributions to allied health research that have led to tangible improvements in health outcomes, policy, or practice. This award celebrates research projects that demonstrate high impact through evidence-based findings, innovative approaches, and successful dissemination and implementation. It supports ACDHS’s objective of driving allied health research, fostering quality research practices, and enhancing the sustainability of health systems. Eligible research may cover various allied health disciplines and should illustrate clear benefits to community health and wellbeing.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be employed by a university which is a current financial member of ACDHS. (If unsure, contact enquiries@acdhs.edu.au)
- Please provide a letter of support for the project from your university’s ACDHS Member Representative.
- The finalist will be notified in September and will be supported to attend the ACDHS Symposium and awards presentation.
Prize: $3000 cash award and framed award certificate.
Nomination process
Key dates 2024
24 June – 31 August:
Nomination period
1 – 20 September:
Review of nominations
22 September:
Announcement of finalists
25 October:
Awards ceremony at the ACDHS Symposium in Melbourne
Contact information
Enquiries: leonie@acdhs.edu.au
Email your Award Nomination form and supporting documents to secretariat@acdhs.edu.au.
Documents that you will be asked to upload/attach to submission: Bio, Supporting Documentation and either:
- Description of Allied Health First Nations leadership and engagement activities (maximum 2 pages).
- Description of your innovative teaching methods or curriculum development.
- Description of research activities, including relevant questions, research methods, ethics approval (if applicable), and contribution to Teacher Professional Learning (maximum 2 pages).
Nominations will be assessed by a diverse and impartial selection panel. The selection panel will include representatives from the ACDHS Board, ACDHS members, and industry professionals.
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