Outstanding achievers celebrated at ECU Staff Excellence Awards

Edith Cowan University (ECU) staff who made an outstanding contribution to the University in 2026 were honoured at this year's Vice-Chancellor's Staff Excellence Awards.

An esteemed selection committee assessed the credentials of 287 deserving nominees to finalise this year's award winners, with a combination of individual and team accolades presented to staff from a range of Schools and departments.

ECU Acting Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Colm Harmon was a member of the selection committee and attended the Joondalup Campus event to congratulate award winners from categories including inspirational staff, health, safety and wellbeing practice, teaching and learning, research and research supervision.

Professor Harmon was joined on the selection committee by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Paulo de Souza, Centre for Learning and Teaching Director Professor Katrina Strampel, and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Dan McAullay.

Before Executive Dean (Arts and Humanities) Professor Matthew Allen presented the Vice-Chancellor's Staff Excellence Awards, Professor Harmon praised all staff nominees for their dedication to striving for excellence at ECU in 2026.

"This year, we had 287 nominees, as individuals or part of a team, and I know that the decision process to narrow down our winners was difficult," Professor Harmon said.

"It's no surprise that the calibre of deserving nominees was extremely high.

"To be recognised in these awards is a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion that you – our staff – bring to your roles every day.

"Winning an award showcases commitment that goes above and beyond the exceptional standards we set at ECU. Your efforts truly make a positive impact – an impact that results in outstanding benefits to students, staff, and the wider community."

ECU Acting Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Colm Harmon presented Staff Excellence Awards to this year's recipients. Image: Kylie Plunkett.

The winners of the 2025 Vice-Chancellor's Staff Excellence Awards are:

Inspirational Staff

Integrity

• Liz Beresford (Student Life)
• Professor Madeleine Ogilvie (School of Business and Law)

Courage

• Doctor Lukasz Krzyzowski (School of Arts and Humanities)
• Associate Professor Lisa Holmes (School of Medical and Health Sciences)
• Adrian Davis (School of Engineering)

Personal Excellence

• Lisa Gibb (Student Life)

Inspirational Team

• Psychological Counselling Team (Student Life): Paul Przytula, Suzie O'Neill, Maria Amador Adams, Danielle Schlueter, Jema White, Ashleigh Macri, Johanna Thorslund, Danielle McCullough, Rebecca Monks, James Hipkins, Kylie Thomas, Chris Burke, Susan Stegena, Emma Chambers, Luke Steere
• School of Education Technical Services Team (School of Education): Roxanne Fozard, Persefone Maietta, Paul Keenan, Josh Raven, Cassina Tawhai, Chris Petersen

Excellence in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Practice

Outstanding Contribution to Health, Safety and Wellbeing Practice

• Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response cross-functional team (Access and Equity, People and Culture, Strategic and Governance Services and Student Life): Adrienne Viney, Michelle McVicker, Lisa Gibb, Hana Woolerson, Phillipa Brewer, Sabi Saadah, Rebekah Madureira, Michael Goodwin, Paul Przytula

Outstanding Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advancement

• Dr Janelle Caddy (Kurongkurl Katitjin)

Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Excellence in Teaching

• Mr Mark Scanlan (School of Medical and Health Sciences)

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

• Dr Kenneth Ho (School of Business and Law)
• Speech Pathology Team (School of Medical and Health Sciences): Emily Hunt, Natalie Cross, Charn Nang, Suzanne Meldrum, Nathalie Crawford, Sarah Pillar, Janine Mullay, Teresa Petrick, Abigail Lewis, Katina Swan
• Dr Azadeh Shafaei (School of Business and Law)
• Dr Dilhani Kapu Arachchilage (School of Business and Law)
• Dr Bee Lam (School of Science)

Sessional Staff Award

• Dr Jordan Hogan (School of Arts and Humanities)

Excellence in Research and Research Supervision

Excellence in Research

• Professor Caroline Finch AO (School of Science)

Excellence in Research by Early Career Research

• Dr Alexandre Siqueira (School of Science)

Excellence in Research by Mid Career Researcher

• Dr Joanna Nicholas (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts)

Outstanding Research Mentor

• Professor Deb Massey (School of Nursing and Midwifery)

Excellence in Graduate Research Supervision

• Dr Matt Styles (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts)