QUT and the Cancer Council Queensland have been recognised with two Oceania Geospatial Excellence Awards for the Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0.
At a ceremony in Brisbane this week, the online, interactive platform was honoured with the Technical Excellence Award by the Geospatial Council of Australia, as well as the J.K. Barrie award for Highest Achievement.
The Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0 was launched last year. It was created by applying Bayesian spatial models on cancer registry and other data and shows visually how small areas across the country are faring when it comes to cancer diagnosis rates, participation in national cancer screening programs, and five-year cancer survival.
Distinguished Professor Kerrie Mengersen, from the QUT School of Mathematical Sciences and a member of the QUT Centre for Data Science leadership group, headed the research team that developed the Atlas in a partnership with Cancer Council Queensland.
Professor Mengersen said the QUT Viser group (Visualisation and Interactive Solutions for Engagement and Research) also played an important role in creating the visualisations and web interface to allow people to engage meaningfully with the Atlas.
"It is a privilege and a real thrill to see our research translated so powerfully through the Australian Cancer Atlas," Professor Mengersen said.
"The Atlas is a shining example of what we can achieve when we bring together diverse experts from multiple organisations and respectfully learn from each other. It is humbling and exciting to have our work recognised through these awards."
Professor Peter Baade of Cancer Council Queensland accepted the awards and said the Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0 was already making a real difference.
"The Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0 is helping researchers, health services, and policymakers identify cancer disparities across Australia, and guide research priorities. It has become a powerful tool for public health planning and community engagement," Professor Baade said.
"To have the Atlas's technical and overall excellence recognised by industry experts is powerful validation of its quality and impact. These awards give us a strong foundation to strengthen engagement with communities, industry, and government, and expand our research partnerships to better understand – and ultimately reduce – geographical disparities in cancer outcomes.
"To me, this award reflects the incredible commitment and collaboration of a great team of people from Cancer Council Queensland, QUT and other organisations, across many disciplines."
The Oceania Geospatial Excellence Awards are run by the Geospatial Council of Australia, the peak body representing the interests of individuals and organisations working in the geospatial sector.
The Australian Cancer Atlas was awarded the Queensland Technical Excellence Award in September last year which put it in the running for the national (Oceania) awards.
Main image: Professor Peter Baade at the launch of the Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0. Photo: Tim Macuga
