As 2025 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved together and share some thoughts as we prepare for the year ahead.
This year has been exceptional for our Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences. We’ve strengthened our research profile, expanded industry partnerships, and continued to deliver outstanding learning experiences for our students. These achievements are a testament to your dedication, creativity, and collaborative spirit. Thank you for everything you’ve contributed to making this year such a success.
As we head into the festive season, I encourage each of you to take your well-deserved leave. Time away from work is essential for your well-being and productivity. Whether you’re spending time with family, pursuing personal interests, or simply taking a break, this time allows you to return refreshed and ready for the opportunities ahead. Taking leave also helps foster a healthy work culture, one that values balance and sustainability. Please plan your leave, support each other in doing so, and make the most of this time to recharge.
Year in review
This year’s achievements in research, teaching, and thought leadership exemplify the strength of our community. Together, we have navigated challenges, embraced innovation, and created opportunities for growth.
Research highlights
As 2025 draws to a close, the Faculty celebrates a year of remarkable research achievements. Our teams have secured major national grants, advancing projects that tackle complex ethical challenges and drive innovation in data science and engineering. These successes underscore the faculty’s commitment to impactful research that addresses real-world problems and strengthens our reputation for excellence. You can view these stories on the Research section of BJBS News.
The year also saw vibrant knowledge-sharing through initiatives like Research Bites, which spotlighted diverse projects across disciplines, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines our research community. These accomplishments reflect not only individual brilliance but also the collective effort that propels us forward.
In 2025, we hosted two seminar streams: FOBJBS Executive Dean’s Research PD Series and FOBJBS Executive Dean’s Research Seminar Series. The PD Series delivered over 10 sessions on ethics, budgeting, and conference strategies. The Seminar Series featured 11 presentations showcasing key research across the faculty. Thank you to all who contributed and attended. Recordings of all sessions are available here.
2025 Research Excellence Awards
Higher Degree by Research Supervisor of the Year | Professor Manoranjan Paul
Research Excellence through Partnership | Dr Alain Neher, Dr Lucia Wuersch, and Dr Alfred Wong for their work with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW).
Faculty commendations
- Excellence as an Early Career Researcher | Dr Lucia Wuersch – School of Business
- Higher Degree by Research Thesis/Creative Work of the Year | Dr Syed Usman Jamil – School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering
- Researcher of the Year | Associate Professor Alfred Wong – School of Business
2025 Charles Sturt Excellence Awards
- Investigating the impact of climate change on the delivery of home care services in rural NSW – Larissa Bamberry (BJBS), Jodie Kleinschafer (BJBS), Julaine Allan, Maree Bernoth, Elyce Green, and Andrew Hall.
- Cyber Security Research Group (CSRG) – Irfan Altas, Yeslam Al-Saggaf, Michael Bewong, Kenneth Eustace, Sabih Rehman, Mostafa Dahshan, Muhammad Arif Khan, Maumita Bhattacharya, Quazi Mamun, Rafiqul Islam and Zahid Islam
2025 Academic Promotions
Congratulations to all our academic staff who were successful in their 2025 Academic Promotion applications! We’re proud of your achievements and look forward to celebrating them. A central announcement will be shared in the coming weeks.
Ergo Cogito Podcast | Series 2
The Ergo Cogito podcast series continued to spark meaningful conversations in 2025, offering fresh perspectives on leadership, research, and the evolving role of academics. Highlights from Series 2 included thought-provoking discussions with experts such as Professor Tim Anderson, Associate Professor Cliff Lewis, Dr Nicole Sugden, and Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos who shared insights on the intersection of policy and practice. Episodes also explored marketing innovation, ethical frameworks, and the importance of academic-industry partnerships. This series has become a platform for dialogue that bridges disciplines and fosters a culture of curiosity and collaboration.
Learning and Teaching Journey
Our learning and teaching community embraced change and creativity throughout 2025. The annual Learning & Teaching Symposium was a standout event, bringing educators together to explore innovation in pedagogy.
Beyond the symposium, initiatives like Learning Beyond Borders offered students transformative experiences in sustainability, while reflective pieces and posts From the Edge highlighted the value of scholarly teaching and continuous improvement. These efforts reaffirm our commitment to student-centred learning and inclusive curriculum design, ensuring that our teaching remains dynamic and future focused.
This year, the Executive Dean’s Teaching Award was presented to a teaching team for their outstanding contribution to innovation and inclusion in teaching. Congratulations to Dr Nicole Sugden, Amita Krautloher, Dr Leigh Grant, Dr Jenni Greig, and Dr Claudia Diaz on receiving an Executive Dean’s Teaching Award! This is a truly outstanding achievement in inclusive education and a powerful example of the impact of collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
We also congratulate the Charles Sturt University’s Data Science and Engineering Research Unit (DSERU), led by Professor Lihong Zheng, who have been honoured with the Australia Learning & Development Innovation of the Year – Education award at the Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2025. The ceremony, held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, celebrated organisations delivering measurable impact through innovation across the Asia-Pacific region.
Better together
I want to acknowledge the hard work that has gone into the successful Associate Degree in Policing Practice (ADPP) Attestation Parades that have been held this year in May, August and December with the final attestation parade for the program being held in May 2026 as we phase out the teaching into the ADPP.
Photo gallery below | Working closely with our faculty partners | NSW Police Force, JCP: China, and ITMasters
Our partners have been instrumental in supporting the successful teaching and learning of our students throughout the year. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment and collaboration, and to wish all of our partners a happy and safe festive season. These valued partners include The Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, ITMaster, NSW Police Force, Navitas at our Melbourne and Sydney campuses, the Economics and Finance Institute in Cambodia, and the Joint Cooperation Program with Yangzhou University (YZU), Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE), Jilin University of Finance and Economics (JUFE), and Tianjin University of Commerce (TUC).
Photo gallery below | Sharing the success with our faculty partners | EFI: Cambodia, JCP: China, and Navitas: Metro Campuses
Shaping what comes next
I want to acknowledge the challenges the University continues to face and thank you for the way you’ve supported each other throughout the year. Your professionalism, resilience, and care for colleagues have made a real difference, and I am grateful for the way you have carried yourselves during a difficult period.
Thank you again for your hard work and commitment throughout the year. I wish you and your loved ones a joyful festive season and a safe, restorative break. I look forward to working with you in the new year as we build on our successes and continue to strengthen our community.
