Celebrating excellence in education

Congratulations to Associate Professor Jessica Russ-Smith who has been honoured with the 2024 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning—the Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education as part of the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).

In receiving this award, she has been recognised as being among Australia’s most exceptional university teachers.

Associate Professor Russ-Smith, a Wiradyuri Wambuul woman and emerging leader in the field of Indigenous Learning and Teaching, is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and empowering educational environment where First Nations knowledges are honoured.

Jessica said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which recognises the power of Indigenous-led education approaches that honour our sovereignty, ancestors and cultures. True educational transformation happens when Indigenous knowledges are not just included but recognised as foundational to ethical and socially just education."

We are so proud of her exceptional work and the positive impact she continues to have on Indigenous education. The Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education celebrates exceptional university teachers and teaching teams. Named after Neville Bonner, the first Indigenous person to sit in the Australian parliament and an Elder of the Jagera people, the award recognises those who have demonstrated leadership, excellence and a significant contribution to Indigenous education.