Virginia Chadwick Management Award

About the Award

The Virginia Chadwick Management Award recognises applied research efforts that have entailed working effectively with marine protected area (MPA) managers and/or Traditional Owners to specifically address one or more priority MPA management issues (natural and social science) facing Australia’s marine, coastal or island environments.

The award is named in honour of the late Hon. Virginia Chadwick AO – the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority from 1999-2007. Virginia played a pivotal leadership role in achieving the science-based rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and was an expert at aligning research programs with management needs as well as building political support for implementation of management actions based on the evidence from science.

Up to two awards may be made each year, and the amount of the award (up to a maximum of $2000 per award) will be determined by a Selection Committee and based on the management significance of the research against the criteria.

Presentation of the Award

This award will be presented at the completion of the ACRS conference. Applicants will need to ensure their oral or poster presentation specifically addresses all four selection criteria when presenting at the ACRS conference.

Aim of the Award

To motivate researchers to engage effectively with Australian MPA managers and/ or Traditional Owners to ensure their research addresses the priority pressures and management issues facing Australia’s marine, coastal and island environments. These awards are intended to reward demonstrated evidence of applied research efforts.

The ACRS endorses this award as a reflection of its mission to promote research that contributes directly to the conservation and management of Australia’s marine ecosystems. While operational coordination is undertaken by the Selection Committee, the ACRS ensures oversight through Council representation.

Selection Criteria

1. Outline clearly what was the key management priority or recognised knowledge gap in a marine, coastal or island ecosystem that your research has addressed and how this management priority was identified? – for example, specify whether your research addresses one of the identified threats in the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 or a similar risk assessment.
2. Outline which managers/organisations you consulted with (who and when) to ensure your research question(s) were developed in conjunction with the managers of the marine, coastal or island area (government and/or Traditional Owners – see FAQs).
3. Demonstrate how the management implications of your research have subsequently been distributed widely (i.e. been made available to) and contributed to, and/or used by, one of more of the following:
   1. The managers of the MPA
   2. The wider community
   3. Traditional Owners, rangers, and/or community
   4. MPA managers elsewhere
4. Indicate the broader management implications of your research, outlining:
   1. significance beyond your research area, and
   2. potential to be upscaled to a broader area and other MPAs and/or related marine/coastal areas.

How to Apply

Applicants must email a summary of their response to the four selection criteria (max. one A4 page, Arial 11pt font) to the Chair of the Selection committee (Jon Day) at jon.day1@jcu.edu.au by 31 July 2025. Applicants must then address the selection criteria in their presentation/poster during the conference when they will be assessed by the selection committee.

For more details on the award including an FAQ please refer to the detailed award guidelines