Congratulations to Waite researchers and educators named as finalists in the 2023 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.
A significant occasion in South Australia’s science calendar, the Awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the work of inspiring Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) leaders and teams working in research and education institutions, schools, industry and the community. The award celebration will be held on Friday 17 November.
Jill Bauer and the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production (led by Professor Vladimir Jiranek, Associate Professor David Jeffery, Professor Kerry Wilkinson, Mr David Wollan and Dr Jean Macintyre) are among finalists in the Awards.
Jill Bauer, Finalist – STEMM Educator of the Year (University or Registered Training Organisation)
With a diverse 25-year career in the wine industry, Ms Jill Bauer brings a passion for wine science and building community and culture to her teaching. Her innovative approaches combine contemporary teaching and technologies, including equipment and software new to the Australian wine landscape. Ms Bauer thrives on catalysing connections between students and industry, and initiated the Vintage Conversations series, which invites professionals to share their stories on career pathways, mentors, and exposing gender biases.
Ms Bauer creates a positive learning environment where students of all backgrounds are challenged to succeed. She created a series of videos, transcribed into Mandarin, to level the playing field for students without experience in a semi-industrial setting, which have resulted in improved student confidence, and were invaluable when remote teaching was introduced.
ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production
Professor Vladimir Jiranek, Associate Professor David Jeffery, Professor Kerry Wilkinson, Mr David Wollan and Dr Jean Macintyre
Across two successful bids in 2013 and 2017, the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production unites 20 collaborating organisations: universities; research providers; state and federal government; small, medium and the world’s largest winery; suppliers; retailers; biotech start-up accelerators and funders.
The Centre’s industry-ready researchers are entering the sector and positively changing practices. Its 40 PhD and postdoctoral projects are enhancing SA wine’s efficiency, sustainability, quality and profitability, while its publications and industry workshops are helping guide alcohol/flavour/quality management through an innovative, multi-step approach developed through coordinated ‘grape to glass’ projects.