ASFB Early Career Excellence Award

Background

The Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB) Early Career Excellence Award is awarded to an outstanding early career scientist or management practitioner (someone who is within 5 years of conferral of their last postgraduate degree) who has made an exceptional advance in the study of fishes, that has fundamentally changed our understanding and/or management of fishes. The study of fishes is viewed in the broadest sense, as work in the fields of research, management or learning relating to fishes; including: biology, ecology, physiology, taxonomy and systematics, genetics, modelling, conservation, habitats and fisheries (including commercially important invertebrates) in marine, freshwater and estuarine environments.

Guidelines

"Early career" is defined broadly as < 10 years of career experience in the field of research, management or learning relating to fishes, of which not more than 5 years can be post conferral of their postgraduate degree. This guideline is applied at the discretion of the Executive Committee but seeks to ensure the award is conferred in line with the intent of ‘the award’ (outlined above). Awardees would exemplify ASFB’s charter “to promote research, education and management of fish and fisheries in Australasia”.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Nominee shall be a current full financial membership of ASFB, and continuing ASFB membership (student or full) for a minimum of 3 years (not necessarily consecutive) prior to application

• Evidence of post graduate qualifications in the form of completion of a Masters or PhD thesis, in fish or fisheries within the last 5 years (pro rata if working part-time or career breaks occurred)

• To be considered ‘Early career’, nominees must have < 10 years full-time relevant experience (pro-rata, noting career breaks) working in the field of research, management or education relating to fishes, as evidenced by the applicant’s CV

• Examples of tangible evidence of excellence, may be represented by one or a combination of:

  • high quality published papers or other scholarly media;

  • substantial improvements in 'on-ground' fisheries, conservation or natural resource management pertaining to fish and fisheries;

  • substantial contribution to the development of new policy initiatives or management activities pertaining to fish and fisheries

  • peer recognition by invitations to speak at conferences or to contribute to special sessions or other invited activities;

  • international experience applied to Australian fish and fisheries;

  • excellence in communication, mentorship, engagement and/or education in fish and fisheries;

  • A body of work that has created ‘real-world’ impact or inspiration to the ASFB community.

Nomination Process

• Any person who is a financial member of the society may self-nominate or be nominated for the Award, and nominations may only be made by financial members of the society.

• The nomination must be submitted in writing and must be seconded by another financial member of the society.

• Nominations must address the relevant selection criteria and contain a current copy of the nominee's CV and any relevant publications (inc. papers, briefings, reports). Submitted documents will be kept confidential among judging committee.

• Nominations are made to the ASFB President (see https://www.asfb.org.au/executive-council and click president)

• Nominations for the ASFB Early Career Excellence Award are to be made by 30th June each year.

Process of Selection

Nominations received by the President are considered by an appointed Committee. This Committee comprises at least three ASFB members (across age groups, gender, backgrounds of research/management & disciplines), and is chaired by the ASFB President. At least one Committee member will be a previous winner of the Award. A member of the Committee may not vote on a nomination where a conflict of interest is likely to occur. If the conflict of interest or time resides with the President, they may nominate an alternate to Chair (the Vice President if appropriate) the committee.

Nominations will be called each year. Unsuccessful nominees can submit updated applications in following years if they wish. The award may be granted annually, but not necessarily given each year.

Past Award Recipients