Monash University's leadership across linguistics and public health have received national recognition at the Shaping Australia Awards. An initiative of Universities Australia, the Shaping Australia Awards celebrate university-led projects that deliver real-world impact and strengthen communities across the nation.
Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby, from the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts, was awarded the Judges' Pick Community Champion Award in the 2025 Shaping Australia Awards for her work revolutionising communication access for Deaf and Deafblind communities.
Her project Breaking Barriers in Communication: Transforming access for Deaf and Deafblind Australians is a pioneering initiative addressing urgent interpreter and educator shortages, developing innovative learning tools, and embedding inclusion within national systems.
Professor Victoria Mar, from the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine in the Faculty of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences received the Problem Solver Award, in partnership with colleagues from the University of Queensland and University of Sydney for their project, Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis: revolutionising early detection and the fight against melanoma
Professor Mar's project, through the Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID) is revolutionising melanoma screening through a globally unique research program uniting world-leading expertise across dermatology, behavioural science, epidemiology, health economics, statistics, AI, data science, genetics, and pathology.
Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Sharon Pickering, congratulated Associate Professor Willoughby and Professor Mar on their awards and national recognition of their impact-driven research.
"Associate Professor Willoughby's project exemplifies the best of Australian research – grounded in genuine collaboration, informed by expertise, and focused on delivering meaningful change. Her pioneering work is transforming communication access for Deaf and Deafblind people, and we are immensely proud to see it recognised on the national stage," Professor Pickering said.
"Professor Mar's project reflects the extraordinary impact of her leadership in advancing early melanoma detection. Through ACEMID's national collaboration, she and her colleagues are reshaping how Australians access timely, life‑saving screening. This award highlights the strength of Monash's public health research and our commitment to partnerships that deliver real improvements in people's lives."
Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Katie Stevenson, congratulated Associate Professor Willoughby on her award.
"Associate Professor Willoughby's work demonstrates how rigorous humanities research can deliver practical, lasting change. By partnering closely with Deaf and Deafblind communities, she has helped build the systems, tools and training that make genuine communication access possible. This award reflects her leadership and commitment to improving access and inclusion through innovation."
Interim Head of the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Professor Sally Green, congratulated Professor Mar on her award.
"We are incredibly proud of Professor Mar's contribution to this national partnership. Her work will have a direct impact on the lives of Australians impacted by melanoma and this award highlights the dedication and impact of our researchers who are driven to improve health outcomes for all."
Associate Professor Willoughby and Professor Mar's projects were two of three Monash projects shortlisted in the 2025 Shaping Australia Awards. Dr Kate Murphy, Associate Professor Suzy Killmister and Tony Williams from the School of Philosophical, Historical and Indigenous Studies, were shortlisted in the Future Builder Award category, for their project Activism for Academic Freedom: Students taking a stand for global scholars.The 2026 Shaping Australia Awards will open later this year.
