Welcome to our 2023 Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows

Thirteen outstanding researchers, selected for their research achievements, leadership and excellence in their fields, have been awarded an RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship for 2023.

RMIT’s Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowships Program is our flagship research talent acquisition and retention Program and a major driver of research excellence and impact across RMIT’s strategic research priorities.

The program supports outstanding researchers to undertake research that creates impact for society, the economy and the environment.

Professor Calum Drummond AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President said he is looking forward to the research and impact these researchers will produce during their tenure.

“Please join me in welcoming our new Fellows to RMIT and congratulate them on their success in being selected from a highly competitive field,” he said.

“It is a testament to their research achievements, leadership, and excellence in their field."

Dr Sarah Barns is one of the 2023 Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellows who will be joining the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies in the College of Design and Social Context in April.

Sarah Barns stands in front of a wooden post and a plant

Dr Sarah Barns will be researching public value frameworks for urban technology and urban AI and exploring the range of policy and practice implications of this fast-moving field.

She said what excites her about coming to RMIT is the opportunity to connect and collaborate with people she has respected and admired for a long time.

“I really value the fact that RMIT embodies and embraces trans-disciplinarity, which is critical to my work as it deals quite deeply with place-based practices as they link technology, culture and community,” she said.

Dr Peter Sherrell will join the School of Science in the STEM College in April.

Peter Sherrell stands in a classroom next to a window

Dr Peter Sherrell will be working on ways to decarbonise the electricity requirements for autonomous, wearable, and implantable electronics as well as for green chemical synthesis, hydrogen production, and CO2 sequestration.

He said RMIT’s focus on impact is what excites him about coming to the university.

“I’m particularly enthusiastic about meeting new students and building cross faculty collaborations through the Enabling Impact Platforms and developing science and technology that can have benefits in new areas.”

Dr Emmanuelle Walkowiak will join the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing in the College of Business and Law, also in April.

Emmanuelle Walkowiak stands in front of a patterned wall, looking off camera

Dr Emmanuelle Walkowiak’s research will focus on new shapes of work associated with the diffusion of Web2 and Web3 technologies and neurodiversity initiatives.

She said she is excited to join RMIT to develop multidisciplinary research projects to design evidence-based policies in line with the Jobs and Skills Summit priorities.

“My research analyses how the rapid diffusion of technologies is disrupting work, workers, workplaces, and the labour market,” she said.

“As businesses struggle with the post-COVID workplace model, it is urgent to adapt employment policies and practices to make them fit for a productive, inclusive and sustainable Future of Work.”

Fellows will join RMIT at different times across the year, and we’ll look to profile them more as they settle in.

Congratulations and welcome to our 2023 RMIT Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows.

Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellows:

Dr Kate Anderson, School of Computing Technologies, STEM College
Dr Sarah Barns, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, DSC College
Dr Natalie Jovanovski, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College
Dr Melanie Lowe, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, DSC College
Dr Philipp Reineck, School of Science, STEM College
Dr Peter Sherrell, School of Science, STEM College
Dr Emmanuelle Walkowiak, School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, COBL

Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows:

Dr Tingting Song, School of Engineering, STEM College

Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellows:

Dr Amanda Alderton, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, DSC College
Dr Simone De Luca, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College
Dr Louise Dorignon, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, DSC College
Dr Qiang Hao, School of Science, STEM College
Dr Kirsty Wilson, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College

Story by: Sheridan van Gelderen

14 March 2023

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14 March 2023

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Welcome to our 2023 Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows