NSW Science Communication Initiative

The NSW Scientist of the Year Awards were established in 2008 to recognise and reward the state's leading researchers for cutting edge work that generates economic, health, environmental or technological benefits for NSW.

In 2011, the awards were extended to acknowledge the importance of engineering in science and were renamed the NSW Science and Engineering Awards. The awards aim to engage and involve the general public as well as the NSW research community to promote the value of science and engineering and to encourage careers in both fields.

Prizes and award categories

The NSW Science and Engineering Awards were announced on Wednesday 23 November 2011.

The NSW Scientist of the Year 2011, with a prize of $55,000, was granted to Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons.

Awards of $5,000 each were also granted to individuals in the following categories:

• Climate Change and Environment
• Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy
• Biomedical Sciences and Engineering
• Plant and Animal Research
• Engineering and Information and Communications Technology
• Emerging Research
• Invention
• Innovation in Public Sector Sciences and Engineering
• Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education

See the full list of 2011 award winners.