SATSIE showcased at DNAC2025
The Developing Northern Australia Conference in Cairns provided an opportunity to show case some of the Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub's Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
On Friday 8 August, six inspiring alumni, working across law, government, conservation, and medicine, were awarded for their outstanding contributions to their fields in a ceremony held at the Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville. Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said JCU is honoured to recognise the remarkable achievements of its alumni. “The Outstanding Alumni Awards remind us of the important role JCU has played and continues to play in shaping our graduates,” he said. “We are immensely proud of the impactful work our graduates go on to do in their respective fields and they should all be congratulated for continuing to inspire others along their journey.”
The Cairns Institute Adjunct Dr Nalisa Neuendorf has been named the recipient of the prestigious Spirit of JCU award, recognising her exceptional leadership, commitment to cross-cultural collaboration, and impactful contributions to research and community engagement. Nominated by Professor Allan Dale, Nalisa’s career embodies the values and vision of James Cook University, demonstrating a deep dedication to creating positive change across the tropics. The Spirit of JCU award honours individuals whose personal and professional achievements reflect JCU’s mission to create a brighter future for communities locally, nationally, and globally.
Nalisa’s pioneering work in Indigenous and Pacific Studies is exemplified by her role in co-founding OneTalk, a collective of Papua New Guinean and Australian First Nations academics. This collaborative network fosters safe, inclusive spaces for dialogue, mentorship, and innovative research, leading to significant publications exploring themes of race, colonial history, and cultural identity.
Her academic portfolio reflects a deep engagement with issues central to social justice and community wellbeing. Her PhD research, “Luksave em bikpela samting! Witnessing gender violence in Papua New Guinea”, offers critical insights into community responses to gender violence in the remote Gulf Province. Beyond her doctoral work, she has contributed extensively to public health research, including the Sexual Health and Wellbeing Training with Women in Pacific Island Countries and Territories: A Scoping Review, advancing health outcomes and building sustainable international partnerships.
Based in Goroka, PNG, Nalisa serves as the Social Science Lead at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, guiding a multi-disciplinary team focused on population health, social change, and evidence-based policy. A committed mentor, she is dedicated to empowering the next generation of scholars—particularly from PNG—while strengthening partnerships with Australian First Nations and Pasifika research communities. She champions culturally grounded research methodologies that reflect and respond to local contexts.
In her role as Adjunct Research Fellow with The Cairns Institute, Nalisa plays an active part in shaping its strategic future. Her recent keynote address at the 2024 launch of The Chinese in Papua New Guinea further underscores her influence as a thought leader in cross-cultural research and engagement.
We wish to congratulate Nalisa on this prestigious award and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.
You can view a short video of Nalisa’s work and learn more about the award here.
AUGUST 2025