Colombia honours dolphin conservationist
Flinders behavioural ecologist Dr Guido J Parra (pictured) has been awarded the “100 Colombianos” award by the Fundación Fusionarte, which recognises the entrepreneurship and success of Colombians working overseas.
Dr Parra was among artists, musicians, lawyers, athletes, writers and academics to receive the award from Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in Bogota earlier this month. Profiles of the recipients will be part of a special publication and photo exhibition to be displayed in Colombia’s embassies and consulates in Brazil, Madrid, Berlin, Washington, New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
A research leader of the Cetacean Ecology Behaviour and Evolution Laboratory in the School of Biological Sciences at Flinders, Dr Parra is also a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cetacean specialist group, and scientific adviser to the Department of Environment on dolphin conservation issues.
Dr Parra said it was an honour to receive the prestigious award.
“I am happy and delighted for the award and grateful to Australia and Flinders University for offering me the opportunity and freedom to explore my research interests,” Dr Parra said.
Top honour for a life of psychological research
Eminent psychologist Emeritus Professor Norman Feather has received a national accolade for his outstanding contribution to the field of social psychology.
Professor Feather will be presented with the prestigious 2015 John Turner Medal by the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists at its annual national conference in Newcastle on April 9.
A recipient of two Honorary Degrees and a Fellow of a number of organisations, Professor Feather was a founding member of the Society.
He came to Flinders as a Foundation Professor of Psychology in 1968 and over the years helped to develop a psychology department with a national and international reputation for its research.
The author of six books and more than 250 journal articles, Professor Feather’s research continues to be widely cited internationally.
Award win to the tune of $20,000
A second-year Flinders University education student from remote outback Queensland has received a $20,000 award to assist with her studies.
Andi-Claire Killeen Pegler, from a sheep and cattle station near the small town of Isisford in central west Queensland, is the winner of the 2015 EJ Connellan Award.
The funding will enable Ms Pegler to continue her dual degree in Early Childhood Education and the Arts at Flinders.
Specialising in neural development in young children through creativity and music, Ms Pegler plans to return to the outback as an educator after completing her studies.
“The field of music education as a developmental tool for the brain fascinates me, and I believe that people in rural and remote areas deserve to access this resource for their children,” she said.
The annual Award, established by Connellan Airways Trust in honour of its founder and pioneer Northern Territory aviator, Eddie Connellan, aims is to assist people over the age of 16 living in remote areas of Australia.
