Dr Britta Biedermann (MACCS) has been awarded a Macquarie University Research Fellowship, a three-year full time position for early-career researchers who have an outstanding track record or who show evidence of qualified excellent research potential.

Dr Biedermann’s area of research relates to brain impairment in the area of language. After a stroke, a person’s ability to store words in their mental dictionary can be affected. Biedermann will look at grammatical errors in the use of singular/plural forms. The outcome will lead to a better diagnosis of language impairment and subsequently to more effective treatment.

Congratulations to four members of the Division who have been awarded University Priority Scheme Grants for projects to enhance learning and teaching. They are:

Ms. Tessa Green (Linguistics) for a project entitled "Developing a diagnostic tool and early intervention strategies to support postgraduate students' academic literacy needs";

Dr. Jan Tent (Linguistics) for a project entitled "Setting the standard: Developing a standards-based assessment and research development approach for postgraduate coursework dissertations";

Dr. Judi Homewood (Psychology) for a project entitled "Where are they? Developing strategies to increase participation rates in Peer Assisted Learning";

Ms. Jean Brick (Linguistics) for a project entitled "Developing HDR students' academic literacy: An on-line induction program.
This is a wonderful outcome for the Division. Credit must also go to Judi Homewood for encouraging people to apply, and very special thanks go to Theresa Winchester-Seeto who advised and supported people throughout the application process. We wish Theresa well as she takes up a position in the University's new Learning and Teaching Centre. Theresa will be greatly missed, both personally and professionally, by us all.

Warmest congratulations to Associate Professor Julie Fitness who has received the Australian Psychological Society, Psychology of Relationships Interest Group Research Award for 2007. The award is intended to promote the development of research regarding relationship education and/or therapy within the discipline of psychology. Applications were judged on scientific merit and the contribution to theory and/or practice in the field of the psychology of relationships.

APS successes. Warmest congratulations to Associate Professor Arthur Shores who has received the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists 2007 Award of Distinction - this is a great honour and richly deserved.

And awards have gone to several clinical neuropsychology students who attended the 2007 APS College of Clinical Neuropsychology Conference:

This is an extraordinary number of awards and a reflection of the superb training our Clinical Neuro students receive from Arthur and Jenny.