Arts Alumni Awards

2026 Arts Alumni Awards

Awarded by the Faculty of Arts each year, the Arts Alumni Awards recognise the valuable contributions alumni have made all over the world across a range of fields, including the not-for-profit sector, government, education, business, arts and media.

Alumni Award winners standing on stage with the Dean smiling and posing for the photo, holding their glass awards
2025 Arts Alumni Awards winners, L-R: Donata Carrazza, Sabrina Leung, Dr Sangmin Nam, Prof Jennifer Balint (Dean), Eugenia Mitrakas OAM, Dr Connie Buckingham, Marsha Lubovny, William Smith. (Awarded in absentia: Magda Szubanski AO).

About the Arts Alumni Awards

The global Faculty of Arts alumni community is over 97,000 people strong. Every year, the Arts Alumni Awards shine a spotlight on graduates who are making a positive impact—whether through bold leadership, quiet influence, or tireless service. These awards celebrate alumni who have not only excelled in their chosen field but have also given back—to the Faculty, the University, and the wider world.

Award categories

  • Awarded to an alum aged 30 or under who has already made an exceptional impact professionally and within their community. They are recognised for their leadership, vision, and the kind of drive that signals a future force for global good.

  • For an alum whose leadership in their field stands out as truly exceptional—shaping thinking, shifting practice, and inspiring others through action and example.

  • Celebrating a lifetime of excellence, this award honours an alum whose long-term and internationally recognised contributions have left a significant mark on their profession.

  • For an alum who has gone above and beyond in their support of the Faculty and the University—through leadership, student impact, and meaningful engagement with the broader community. Note: This award recognises contributions made beyond the scope of any paid employment at the University.

Nominate

Recognising alumni who have achieved excellence

Do you know an outstanding Arts alum making a difference locally or internationally?

Whether they’re a high-profile candidate on the world stage or a quiet achiever making a difference locally, we look forward to hearing about what our Arts alumni have been up to since graduating.

Nominations for the 2026 Arts Alumni Awards are now closed.
An announcement of the winners will be made later this year.

Enquiries: alumni-office@unimelb.edu.au

Nominations are assessed by a panel that includes the Dean, Faculty of Arts, members of the Melbourne Humanities Foundation Board, previous Arts Alumni Award recipients, and Faculty staff members.

Past recipients

    • William Smith (2025)
    • Sabrina Leung (2025)
    • Marsha Lubovny (2025)
    • Ann Liang (2024)
    • Kareem El-Ansary (2024)
    • Esmé Louise James (2023)
    • Michael Lim (2023)
    • Ms Thenu Herath (2022)
    • Mr Izak Rosenfeld (2022)
    • Mr Abe Watson (2022)
    • Jazz Money (2021)
    • Saiful Bakhri (2020)
    • Christie (Yating) Ding (2020)
    • Dirgayuza (Yuza) Setiawan (2019)
    • Mohamed Khairat (2019)
    • Jenna Davey-Burns (2018)
    • Linh Do (2018)
    • Mr Tarang Chawla (2017)
    • Ms Morgan Koegel (2017)
    • Jason Ball (2016)
    • Lucy Thomas (2016)
    • Ms Stephanie Cousins (2015)
    • Mr Thomas Woodroofe (2015)
    • Dr Toby Ord (2014)
    • Ms Jenny Taing (2014)
    • Ms Ellen Sandell (2013)

    • Donata Carrazza (2025)
    • Dr Sangmin Nam (2025)
    • Sonia Lim (2024)
    • Professor Robert McGauran (2024)
    • Jane Crawley (2023)
    • Amanda McKenzie (2023)
    • Mr Matt Goldberg (2022)
    • Ms Sarah Rey (2022)
    • Dr Mark McDonald (2021)
    • Dr Genevieve Timmons (2020)
    • Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM (2019)
    • Dr Nadera Hayat Burhani (2018)
    • Mr Jack Heath (2017)
    • Lily Yulianti (2016)
    • Ms Erika Feller (2015)
    • Dr Helen Szoke (2014)

    • Professor Janet McCalman AC (2024)
    • Associate Professor Andrew Jamieson (2023)
    • The Hon Susan Crennan AC KC (2022)
    • Margaret Quixley (2021)
    • Associate Professor Alison Inglis AM (2020)
    • Dr Ted Gott (2019)
    • Emerita Professor Patricia Grimshaw AO (2018)
    • Mr Jack Heath (2017)
    • Emeritus Professor Chris Wallace-Crabbe AM (2016)
    • Mr Michael Bartlett (2015)
    • Professor Peter McPhee AM (2014)

    • Professor Anthony Elliott AM (2024)
    • The Hon. Justice Susan Kenny AM (2023)
    • Mr Frank Merlino (2022)
    • Stefano De Pieri (2021)
    • Christos Tsiolkas (2020)
    • Joanna Murray-Smith (2019)
    • Stephanie Alexander AO (2018)
    • Sir James Gobbo AC CVO KSJ QC (2017)
    • Professor Gary Foley (2016)
    • Professor Peter Singer (2015)
    • Mr Alex Miller (2014)

    • Eugenia Mitrakas OAM (2025)
    • Magda Szubanski AO (2025)

    • Dr Connie Buckingham (2025)