Celebrating

Our

ARMS 2026 Award Recipients

Dear ARMS Members,

At the ARMS Awards Ceremony held during the 2026 ARMS Conference in Perth last Thursday, we had the privilege of recognising outstanding individuals and teams whose contributions have strengthened research management and innovation support across Australasia and beyond.

These awards celebrate leadership, service, innovation, professional excellence, and the vital role research management professionals play in enabling research success.

Please join us in congratulating our 2026 award recipients.

RMIT Paul Taylor Awards for Excellence in Research Management Practice

Sponsored by RMIT University, the Paul Taylor Awards recognise individuals and teams who have demonstrated excellence in research and innovation support through leadership, innovation, service, and education.

Service Excellence

Individual Award Recipient
Dr Edward Tan
Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Singapore

Dr Tan was recognised for his outstanding leadership in building research support capability, establishing effective research administration systems, and advancing research management practice within his organisation and the wider profession.

Innovation in Research Management

Team Award Recipient
University of Melbourne Graduate Research Industry Team: Mitchell Smyth and Matt Atkins
University of Melbourne

Mitchell Smyth and Matt Atkins were recognised for their innovative work in transforming industry-engaged graduate research through the development of a coordinated framework that has strengthened industry partnerships and improved support for graduate researchers.

Fellow of ARMS

The title of Fellow of ARMS recognises distinguished research management professionals who have made significant and enduring contributions to the profession and to ARMS.

Fellow of ARMS 2026

Steve Hannan
The University of Newcastle

Steve was recognised for his extensive service to ARMS and the research management profession through leadership, governance, professional development, accreditation activities, conference delivery, and sector advocacy.

Fellow of ARMS 2026

Grahame Pearson
Elsevier International

Grahame was recognised for more than 25 years of contribution to ARMS and the profession through chapter leadership, Board service, training, professional development, and advancing research management capability across Australasia and internationally.

Janet Dibb-Leigh Award for Distinguished Service to Research Management

The Janet Dibb-Leigh Award is ARMS' highest honour, recognising exceptional leaders whose contributions have shaped and advanced the profession through service, mentorship, innovation, and international leadership.

2026 Recipient

Dr Bryony Wakefield
King's College London

Dr Wakefield was recognised for her outstanding contribution to research management over more than two decades, including leadership roles within ARMS and significant contributions to the global research management community through international collaboration, professional development, mentoring, and advocacy.

Congratulations

On behalf of the ARMS Board and the entire ARMS community, congratulations to all award recipients. Your achievements reflect the professionalism, dedication, and leadership that continue to strengthen research management across our region and around the world.

We also extend our sincere thanks to everyone who submitted nominations, provided referee reports, and participated in the awards process.

Please join us in celebrating our 2026 award recipients and acknowledging their outstanding contributions to our profession.

Congratulations to all recipients!!

Hannah Allan, ARMS President

ARMS acknowledges the generous support of our corporate partners:

Research Management Solutions Partner

Innovation Partner

Research Intelligence Partner

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