Distinguished research award for dedicated lecturer

USQ visual arts academic Associate Professor Robyn Stewart has been recognised for dedication to her profession with a prestigious national research award.

Associate Professor Stewart received the 2007 Distinguished Research Award from the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools (ACUADS) for her involvement in creative arts over a 16 year period.

The ACUADS is the peak body of university and TAFE visual arts, crafts and design, undertaking advocacy, policy development, research and community service for the sector.

Associate Professor Stewart said the Award was an important achievement for her and the work that she has done in creative and visual arts.

'ACUADS is the national peak body for art and design schools and it is great to be recognised with this excellence in research award,' Associate Professor Stewart said.

'This was only the second or third time that is has been awarded.'

The Award recognises significant research achievements and a distinguished career in the co-ordination, supervision, mentoring and/or examination of higher degree art and design research students.

Widely recognised as a leader in her field, Associate Professor Stewart has paved the way for many women working in visual and creative arts at universities across Australia.

'I was the first women to be a head of school in visual arts back in 1987 in Australia and I was also the first women executive of ACUADS, which was then the National Conference of Heads of Arts and Design Schools,' she said.

'Over this time I was involved in the development of policy and research in the creative arts and also helped to broker the ACUADS to include academics other than heads of school in their conferences and to take an affirmative approach to mentoring senior women in the sector.'

After stepping down as head of visual arts in 1993 she turned her attention to developing postgraduate studies in visual arts and to continue her research.

'I was one of the first people in Australia to explore and articulate the parameters of research in visual arts to develop and articulate practice-led research methodologies for the arts and related fields.

'This has been a focus of my practice since 1996, which has been seen as ground breaking and contributed to the reason why I was given the national excellence in research award.'

Associate Professor Stewart was nominated for the Award by the Head of the School of Creative Arts at USQ, Professor Lutz Presser.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628