Research achievements celebrated with Woodward and Marles Medals
The University of Melbourne has announced recipients of the prestigious Woodward and Marles Medals for 2021.
Established by former University Chancellor Sir Edward Woodward and Lady Woodward, the Woodward Medals are awarded for research that made a significant contribution to knowledge in a field of science and technology, or humanities and social sciences.
Professor Andrew Walter (Faculty of Arts) received the Woodward Medal in Humanities and Social Sciences for his monograph, The Wealth Effect: How the Great Expectations of the Middle Class Have Changed the Politics of Banking Crises (Cambridge UP, 2019), and two articles in 2019 and 2020 examining the politics and social effects of banking crises and bailouts over nearly two centuries.
Dr Alexander Wood (Faculty of Science) received the Woodward Medal in Science and Technology for his suite of publications in Nature Physics, Science Advances and Physical Review Letters concerning how physical rotation can be used as a tool for control and measurement of a quantum system.
The Marles Medal, launched in 2020, recognises excellence in research impact including an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health and wellbeing, the environment or quality of life beyond academia.
It is named in honour of Ms Fay Marles AM, an alumna and first female Chancellor of the University. Ms Marles was also the first Victorian Commissioner for Equal Opportunity and a trailblazer in the areas of social welfare and public service.
Professor Jane Pirkis (Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences) received the Marles Medal in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine for her suite of articles related to the creation and evaluation of her “Man Up” documentary film project and the far-reaching impact this has had on addressing male mental health and suicide prevention.
Professor Robyn Sloggett (Faculty of Arts) received the Marles Medal in Humanities and Social Sciences for her interdisciplinary, cross-cultural research in arts conservation, which has had a significant impact on the communities with whom she collaborated.
The University congratulates these recipients on their research achievements.