The Reel Impact Prize aims to encourage innovative research translation by challenging researchers at the University of Melbourne to succinctly describe the impact their research has had within society to a non-specialist audience. Winners receive funding to produce a video showcasing their work.
2025 winners announced
Congratulations to Dr Angela Nicholas and Dr Simone Scotti Requena (Melbourne School of Population and Global Health) and Dr Veronique Paris (School of Biosciences) on being awarded the Reel Impact Prize 2025 for their respective entries Boys Do Cry and Stopping Buruli ulcer at the mosquito.
The winning submissions highlighted the critical role that research plays in addressing the complex questions and major challenges of our time, including Australian men’s health and the suppression of suburban mosquitos for effective disease control.
The two teams have each been awarded $8000 to collaborate with their choice of professional media storyteller to develop a creative media output to highlight the amazing impact of their research.
Keep an eye out in 2026 for the premiere of their completed collaborations showcasing their ‘Reel Impact’.
Watch the 2024 Reel Impact videos
Transforming Cities with Woody Meadows
Dr Rachael Bathgate and Associate Professor Claire Farrell
Woody Meadows are a research-based planting approach that harnesses natural Australian shrublands as models to create beautiful, diverse plantings of woody shrubs and small trees that are maintained through a technique of hard pruning known as coppicing.
New songs at Baya Gawiy – Strengthening first languages through songwriting
Dr Gillian Howell
Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani u is the early childhood education and care program of Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia. It integrates seasonal calendar knowledge, storytelling, music and singing.
Watch the 2023 Reel Impact videos
Sight and insight: unlocking treatment and knowledge for Inherited Retinal Diseases
Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones is a research fellow at the University of Melbourne and a practicing optometrist. She leads research on improving the diagnosis of inherited eye diseases and to integrate genetic knowledge into clinical care for better management outcomes.
Combatting modern slavery in global supply chains
Professor Vikram Bhakoo is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Melbourne, and head of the Operations and Supply Chain Group.
About the Reel Impact Prize
The Reel Impact Prize was launched in 2023 as a complement to the Marles Medal that recognises excellence in research impact. The Reel Impact Prize aims to encourage innovative research translation by challenging researchers at the University of Melbourne to succinctly describe the impact their research has had within society to a non-specialist audience.
Competitors present their research impact as either a 60-second engaging video or a visual storyboard.
Up to three winning entries each receive $8000 to collaborate with their choice of professional media storyteller to create an animated or live-action production (or any other novel type of creative output) to highlight the impact that has been achieved through their research.
The prize aims to also build collaborative links and partnerships with professional artists and media storytellers to enhance the development of creative dissemination of impactful research to audiences beyond academia.
Reel Impact is open to all current Academic staff members of the University of Melbourne, and entries are accepted from individual researchers or project teams.
Staff and graduate researchers wishing to find out more or apply to take part should visit the Research Gateway.
Reel Impact on the Research Gateway (login required)
The animated film ‘Sight and insight’, developed by our team member Parker Truong through the Reel Impact Prize, has been such a useful addition to my science communication activities. I use the clip regularly in patient conferences, or to send to people via email who are interested in our work. I have had fantastic feedback from patients, families and clinicians on the engaging and understandable nature of the film, and just wish I could have a similar clip for all of our projects! Thanks to Parker and the Reel Impact team. Professor Lauren Ayton
First published on 15 December 2025.
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