Flinders University’s Professor James Smith has become the first-ever researcher from the Northern Territory (NT) to receive a prestigious Research Action Award from the Sax Institute.

Established in 2015, the $5,000 Research Action Award recognises early- to mid-career researchers whose work has had a significant impact on health policy, programs or service delivery.

Professor Smith was commended for his leadership in alcohol harm minimisation research, that has made a huge contribution to alcohol-related advocacy and policy reforms in the NT, which has the highest level of alcohol consumption per capita in Australia.

His work has included significant research capacity building, including in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, and involved the engagement of a diverse array of stakeholders leading to meaningful alcohol policy and program change in the NT.

“Harmful consumption of alcohol has significant health and social impacts. It’s often associated with domestic violence, mental health concerns, illicit drug use and incarceration, among many other issues,” says Professor Smith, Deputy Dean Rural and Remote Health NT and Co-Director FHMRI Health Equity Impact Program.

“Policies and programs can drive positive change, but it’s crucial that they are informed with the right evidence. And we need to be able to explain that evidence in clear language – not just to policy makers but to consumers as well – so that we can all come along for the journey to drive change,” he says.

Congratulating the winners, Sax Institute CEO Dr Martin McNamara said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to honour researchers who are so strongly focused on the practical application of their research with the aim of improving the wellbeing of everyone.”

Professor Annette Boaz – Director of the NIHR Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit and Professor of Health and Social Care, King’s College London – chaired the independent assessment committee that chose the winners and commented that the committee was very impressed by the quality of this year’s applications.

“The Research Action Awards are a fantastic demonstration of the vitality of public health research in Australia. It is heartening to see the determination of so many early and mid-career researchers to make a real difference to policy and practice with their work,” she said.

Read more about Professor Smith’s work here.