Scholarships to foster Queensland’s best and brightest research students

Six research students from Brisbane’s north side region are amongst 27 top Australian recipients taking up Smart Futures PhD scholarships at universities across Queensland this year.

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said the Queensland Government scholarships award each postgraduate $22,500 over three years for full-time research in varied disciplines.

Among the successful applicants from Brisbane’s north side is Michele Furlong (Ferny Hills) who will look at developing more effective ways to help young people with obesity.

“My research at the Queensland University of Technology will help develop a group-based psychosocial lifestyle intervention program designed to assist young adults aged 17-35 years to address the barriers preventing them from living a healthier lifestyle,” she said.

“Despite the growing community emphasis on eating well and being more physically active, obesity is becoming a major issue for young Australians.

“The National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2004-2005 indicated that 53% of all adults (aged 18 years and over) were either overweight or obese as calculated by Body Mass Index scales.”

Ms Boyle said the other six Brisbane north side scholarship winners were working on equally important research.

These include:

• University of Queensland student Michael Hewson from Ferny Grove who will research the significance of aerosols on clouds and rainfalls in South East Queensland using remote sensing

• Queensland University of Technology student Lisa Hamilton from North Lakes who will work with Queenslanders with an intellectual disability to share their experiences and concepts of home, while living in supported accommodation

• Queensland University of Technology student Zoe Staines from Everton Hills who will examine police investigative thinking styles

• Queensland University of Technology student Kate Cantrell from Everton Hills who will unravel the fabric of gender and genre in Australian women’s contemporary memoir/autobiography and,

• Queensland University of Technology student Lee-Ann Wilson from Burpengary who will explore the environmental conscience of mid-age adults.


Member for Everton Rod Welford said the recipients should be very proud of their achievements.

“Although they have three years of hard work in front of them, it’s clear they are all dedicated to their research and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.”

Ms Boyle said the scholarships foster innovation in Queensland’s research and development sector, helping to build the foundations for a sustainable state-wide research community.

“This in turn plays a key role in our economic prosperity and social advancement,” she said.

“Queensland has a reputation for building world-class R&D infrastructure and now there is a push to attract leading researchers too.

“During the past 10 years the Queensland Government has invested $3.4 billion in 36 new research institutes and more than 230 research scholarships and fellowships,” Ms Boyle said.

“The four-year $120 million Smart State Strategy, launched in 2008 and incorporating the Smart Futures scholarships, will boost science and industry’s capacity to solve problems through research, innovation and key partnerships across public and private sectors.

“The 28 scholarship-holders are to be congratulated on their success, given the calibre of applications received, and I look forward to the outcome of their research.”

12 February, 2009


Media contact: Marcus Taylor 3225 1005/0419 025 326 or Zoe Russell 3224 2007/0437 436 914
2009

Queensland University of Technology: Astra Dadzis 3138 2361

University of Queensland: Jan King 3365 1120


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