22 August 2007
UQ Business School's Professor Mark Dodgson was last night awarded the prestigious ATSE Clunies Ross Eureka Prize for Leadership in Business Innovation.
Widely seen as Australia's most important science prizes, the Eureka Prizes were established in 1990 by the Australian Museum to reward excellence in the fields of research and innovation, science leadership, school science, and science journalism and communication.
Dodgson, who has been researching innovation for more than 20 years, said he was thrilled to be one of the few non-scientists to win a Eureka Prize.
He said, "Innovation is about taking the great science the Eureka Prize celebrates and turning it into products and processes that will make Australia competitive in the global economy."
"But we need to understand that innovation is not just something that is important for people in white coats in laboratories and a few manufacturing firms. It is important for every person, every firm, and every public sector organization."
"It will take leadership in innovation across the board if we are to solve the pressing problems of the day in energy, health and the environment.
Dodgson said he was convinced Australia could be an innovation leader if innovation was placed firmly at the forefront of the national social and political consciousness.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay AC congratulated Professor Dodgson.
"The award of this prestigious national prize shows how the internationally-accredited UQ Business School is deeply engaged with leaders in business and government in shaping the future of Australian industry," he said.
Celebrating Dodgson's win at the awards ceremony last night was The University of Queensland Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield.
Greenfield, who will take over as Vice-Chancellor at the end of the year, said Professor Dodgson's Eureka Prize was a credit to UQ Business School.
Greenfield said, "This award shows that business schools don't have to choose to be either research-intensive or strongly linked to the practical needs of corporate Australia - in fact, the one leads to the other."
Head of UQ Business School Professor Tim Brailsford said Dodgson's award vindicated the School's strategic push over the last few years to recognise the needs of business in the creation of innovation leaders.
"Indeed, the new MBA at UQ which is to be launched for 2008 includes a core course on Innovation Leadership designed by Mark," Professor Brailsford said.
"This distinctive advantage sets UQ apart from the many MBAs on offer."
Despite a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges ahead, Dodgson remains hopeful about Australia's future.
He said, "Australia is an optimistic country; that is its greatest virtue.
"While the legacy of the last ten years - the short-termism and complacency towards the future, the longing for the past - has been very damaging, we have the capacity to become more forward-looking, optimistic, and innovative.
"And when we do, great things will happen."
Further information can be found on the Eureka Prizes website.
Media enquiries:
Cathy Stacey
Phone (07) 3365 6179
Mobile 0434 074 372
Fiona Sutton
Phone (07) 3365 6748
Mobile 0423 637 699
Email media@business.uq.edu.au
