2025 National Allied Health Conference Awards Program

The National Allied Health Conference Awards recognise and honour the outstanding contributions and achievements of Allied Health professionals across career stages. These Awards are presented at each conference and to preserve the honour conferred by a National Allied Health Conference Award, there shall be only one winner in each individual Award in any given Award year.

The process by which National Allied Health Conference Awards are determined varies by the type of Award and is detailed within each Award description below.

Awards will be presented during the Closing Plenary session of the National Allied Health Conference.

Nomination for an Award is made during the Call for Abstracts process.

Abstract Awards

Reviewers have considered the following when making a decision on the below abstract awards:

• The concept, methodology and supporting theory are sound.
• The results / findings are informative and comprehensive.
• The subject clearly addresses one or more of the conference themes.
• The subject is original, contemporary and significant / relevant.

Most Distinguished Abstract Award

The Scientific Committee have selected a winner from the abstracts submitted for oral presentation at the Conference.

The Award includes $1000 for research related purposes (e.g., attend conference, publication etc) to be used within 18 months (reimbursed from NAHC). This will be provided to the submitting author.

There will be only one recipient of the Award in any given Award year. In the unlikely event that the Scientific Committee is unable to make a determination, the Conference chair shall decide the winner.

Winner

Dr Caitlin Brandenburg

Building a research career in health services: What roles exist for Allied Health professionals?

Mid-Career Best Abstract Award

The Scientific Committee has selected a winner from the abstracts submitted for oral presentation at the Conference.

The Award includes $1000 for research related purposes (e.g., attend conference, publication etc) to be used within 18 months (reimbursed from NAHC). This will be provided to the submitting author.

There is only one recipient of the Award in any given Award year. In the unlikely event that the Scientific Committee is unable to make a determination, the Conference chair shall decide the winner.

Winner

Dr Michelle Kaminski

Motivators and barriers for studying podiatry in Australia and New Zealand: a mixed methods study

Innovation / Early Career Best Abstract Award

In 2025 there is an Award for the Best Abstract delivered by an early career researcher (<5 years post-PhD) or individual without a PhD at the Conference. The applicant must be the first or last author of the abstract and must be the presenting author, and be an early career researcher.

The Scientific Committee have selected a winner from the abstracts submitted for oral presentation by early career authors.

The Award includes $1000 for research related purposes (e.g., attend conference, publication etc) to be used within 18 months. This will be provided to the submitting author.

There is only one recipient of the Award in any given Award year. In the unlikely event that the Scientific Committee is unable to make a determination, the conference chair shall decide the winner.

To be considered for this Award, during the abstract submission process, please submit additional biographical information and justification as to your ECR status (maximum 150 words).

Winner 

Dr Piers Truter

Diverting patients from the ED to outpatients: Performance metrics and economic modelling of an advanced practice model of urgent care

Interprofessional Award

In 2025 there is an Award for the Best Abstract submitted by a researcher/s highlighting interprofessional practice. The abstract must highlight research which involves more than one profession.

The Scientific Committee has selected a winner from the abstracts submitted for oral presentation by multidisciplinary teams.

In addition to the above criteria, reviewers have also considered if the abstract highlights the value and advantage of multiple professions working interprofessionally

The Award includes $1000 for research related purposes (e.g., attend conference, publication etc.) to be used within 18 months. This will be provided to the submitting author.

There is only one recipient of the Award in any given Award year. In the unlikely event that the Scientific Committee is unable to make a determination, the conference chair shall decide the winner.

To be considered for this Award, during the abstract submission process, please submit additional information and justification confirming disciplines involved and roles within research. (maximum 150 words).

Winner

 Dr Carrie-Anne Lewis

Facilitating equitable access to a dietitian-led obesity treatment services using co-design

Oral Presentations & Poster Awards

Best Presentation Award

Best presentation awards have been awarded for the best oral presentation and best lightning presentation at the conference. They have been assessed by the Scientific Committee, and their nominees. The Judging Committee considers several criteria for the Award, including originality, rigour, relevance to Allied Health policy and practice, the inclusion of relevant groups to the research, and quality of presentation.

Only one recipient for each category is awarded in any given Award year. In the unlikely event that the Judging Committee is unable to make a determination, the conference chair shall decide the winner.

The Award includes $1000 for research related purposes (e.g., attend conference, publication etc) to be used within 18 months

First Time Presenter Awards

The Best Presentation delivered by a first-time presenter at the National Allied Health Conference. To be eligible, the 2025 National Allied Health Conference must be the first time an individual has presented an oral presentation or a lightning presentation at a Conference. If there are multiple presenters, then all must be first time presenters to be eligible.

The Judging Committee considers several criteria for the Award, including originality, rigour, relevance to Allied Health policy and practice, inclusion of relevant groups to the research, and quality of presentation.

The Judging Committee has judged all first-time oral presentations throughout the Conference, with the winner announced at the end of the Conference.  Award can only be received once by a candidate(s).

The Award includes $1000 for research related purposes (e.g., attend conference, publication etc) to be used within 18 months.  If multiple presenters participate in one presentation the Award will be shared equally by the presenters.

To be considered for this Award, please tick the appropriate box when requested during the abstract submission process.