Professor Michael Milford, QUT Centre for Robotics Director and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, has won a prestigious Eureka Prize for his outstanding mentoring of researchers.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prize highlights the nation's most significant science achievements. Professor Milford was among 19 top Australian scientists and teams recognised last night at the awards event.
Professor Milford's award was underpinned by many testimonials that described his impact as life-and career-changing, with his mentees winning major grants, awards and leadership positions.
From school students to senior professors across multiple disciplines, Professor Milford has reached thousands around the world through both one-on-one mentoring and his highly successful video and podcast series Hacking Academia.
Professor Milford said he had long recognised the value of mentorship which is a key part of his role as Director for the QUT Centre for Robotics.
"My own amazing mentors were absolutely critical in guiding me through the formative stages of my career," Professor Milford said.
"As I progressed in my field, I both fell in love with mentoring and, as an increasingly senior leader, continued to grow in appreciation for how vital mentorship is in professional research and scientific careers.
"Mentoring is incredibly fulfilling but also regularly challenging, and a constant learning experience."
Professor Milford was previously a finalist in the Eureka Awards in 2016 in the category of Outstanding Early Career Researcher.
"It's a great honour and very humbling to win this award – especially sitting in the room at the Eurekas surrounded by so many great scientists, science communicators and mentors," Professor Milford
"We never do any of this for the awards, but being awarded a Eureka is that great extra bit of motivation to keep on mentoring.
"I think we often forget how much experienced researchers suffer from self-doubt – all the words of support and testimonials both in the lead up to the Eurekas and after I was announced as the winner has been great affirmation that I must be doing at least something right!"
Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO said the winners demonstrated the critical need of supporting and promoting Australian scientific achievement and the importance of investment in research.
"The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes celebrate the very best of Australian science across an extraordinary range of fields," Ms McKay said.
"For 35 years, the awards have recognised the talent, creativity and collaboration that drive discovery and deliver solutions for our world. These awards remind us not only of the importance of science to Australia's future, but also of the global impact our researchers, communicators and students make."
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country's most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the areas of research and innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.
Top picture: Professor Michael Milford and Australian Museum Director and Professor Kate McGrath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Technology Sydney.
