2024 APSAD Awards Information & Nomination Forms

Any individual or team who has made an outstanding impact in policy and/or advocacy in the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field, and can demonstrate one or more of the achievements below:

• positive advancement in the understanding of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs issues in a given community or population group, or
• advocacy for an advancement that is in the public interest (public health or welfare and/or criminal justice), evidence based (evidence that it will work as intended), and has a focus on reducing drug related harm, or
• positive policy change for the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field. Change could occur in the following areas but are not limited to; legislative, government, and community, or
• strategy formation, e.g., strategic thinking, coalition formation, government liaison, key messaging.

Evidence of the impact made in the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field. The nomination should clearly describe the achievements to be honoured, the scope and depth of the impact, and the processes used by the nominee, including for instance, strategy information and the use of evidence to underpin the advocacy /policy.

Any individual in a substantiative (50% or more) position providing direct delivery of clinical services or operating in a strategic managerial position directly relating to service provision.

Evidence of significant positive impact on outcomes for consumers and/or service provision in the sector. Nominees will need to show the extent of the impact of their work and how it has made a substantial and practical contribution to the service or sector. Information can include (but is not limited to): publications if applicable, evaluations, recognition from other groups and endorsements, list of initiatives and actions you have taken and the impact they have had.

You must identify as a member of a First Nation of Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand (Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori) and work in: research, training, practice, prevention, or policy in any area related to substance use at any stage of your career.

Note: First Nations professionals are encouraged to nominate in the other categories; Senior Scientist, Early-Career, Mid-Career, Mentor, Clinician, and Advocacy Awards.

Evidence of significant contribution to research, training, practice, prevention, or policy in any aspect of substance use. Nominees need to show the extent of the impact of their work and how it has made a substantial and practical contribution to one of these areas. In rating the nominee, the extent to which the practical suggestions, treatment and policies have been taken up in the field will be considered.

For example:

• Research: Contribution to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs research, demonstrated by the range and quality of evidence-based research outputs; broader dissemination and/or implementation strategies to scientific as well as broader audiences (i.e., general public, clinicians, policymakers, other stakeholders.

• Policy: a central role in the development of important policy that has been taken up at a local, state, national or international level, or leadership in the form of management practices and implementation of evidence-based practices.

• Training: a substantial program of training and workforce development using evidence-based strategies that have had a demonstrated impact on responses to Indigenous health.

• Prevention and Treatment: the development and/or implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent drug use, prevent harms or treat the consequences of drug use.

Applicants must be not more than 5 years post their last postgraduate degree and have been working in the alcohol and other drug field as a researcher or scientist for less than 10 years¹.

While applicants are eligible for consideration based on having an undergraduate qualification alone, it is anticipated that successful applicants will have higher degrees (e.g., PhD). In recognition of the diversity of career paths, applicants who do not fit within these criteria are encouraged to apply and state their unique circumstances.

¹Career disruption (e.g. paternity leave, illness, carer’s responsibilities) is not included in the calculation of years in service.

Applicants must provide evidence of a special, unique, or substantial contribution to alcohol and other drug research as demonstrated by, for example, the range and quality of their evidence-based research outputs; broader dissemination and/or implementation strategies to scientific as well as broader audiences (i.e., general public, clinicians, policymakers, other stakeholders); development of an independent research program that may be supported by a peer reviewed grant.

Any individual who is employed or volunteering in an identified lived or living experience role in the AOD sector is eligible to apply. Individuals must be drawing on their lived and/or living experience of alcohol and/or other drug use in the service of others.

Note: people with lived and living experience are encouraged to nominate in the other award categories – Senior Scientist, Early-Career, Mid-Career, Mentor, Clinician, First Nations, and Advocacy.

Evidence of significant contribution to practice, research, training, prevention, or policy in any aspect of substance use working (or volunteering) in a recognised lived or living experience role. Nominees need to show the extent of the impact of their work and how it has made a substantial and practical contribution to one of these areas. The nomination should clearly describe the achievements to be honoured, the scope and depth of impact, including evidence of significant positive impact on outcomes for consumers and/or service provision in the AOD sector.

Examples:

• Demonstrating improvements in policy, practice, research, or workforce.
• Advocating for the rights of people who use alcohol and other drugs.
• Increasing access and retention to AOD and harm reduction services.

Any individual with a track record of mentoring and supporting the career development of alcohol, tobacco and/or other drugs: clinicians, researchers and/or students.

Ability to demonstrate energy, passion and commitment for mentoring and demonstrate integration of your mentees into the wider alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field and/or related fields (outside your own organisation), and/or provide evidence of how you have implemented and supported programs and policies for the broader development of mentoring across your organisation and/or discipline.

You must be more than 5 and up to 15 years post your last postgraduate degree and have been working in the field as a researcher or scientist for at least 5 years¹ and have not reached professorial level².

While applicants are eligible for consideration on the basis of having an undergraduate qualification alone, it is anticipated that successful applicants will have higher degrees (e.g., PhD). In recognition of the diversity of career paths, applicants who do not fit within these criteria are encouraged to apply and state their unique circumstances.

¹Career disruption (e.g., paternity leave, illness, carer’s responsibilities), is not included in the calculation of years in service.

²Appointment of a full Professorial position (incl. Adjunct, Clinical, Conjoint, Honorary, etc. positions) by an institution, or a full Professorial title at time of application.

Applicants must provide evidence of a significant contribution to the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field as evidenced by research impact; range and quality of evidence-based outputs; contribution to research leadership; broader dissemination and/or implementation strategies to scientific as well as broader audiences. Applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of an independent research program and demonstrate exceptional leadership.

A significant long-term contribution to a given discipline that is related to the alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs field.

Evidence of the practical application of published research findings to theoretical knowledge and/or contributions to evidence-based policy and/or practice.

OR

Evidence of significant advancement in areas such as; basic sciences, in experimental laboratory settings, and in ethnographic and/or sociological sciences.