ANU experts in fields as diverse as chemistry and international law were among those who received Australia Day honours this year.

Professor Hilary Charlesworth was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her work on international and human rights law. Professor Charlesworth, who is Director of the Centre for International and Governance at ANU, was praised for her “encouragement of human rights dialogue, particularly in the area of women's rights.”

Professor Des Nicholls from the ANU College of Business and Economics received the same honour for his contributions to statistical sciences in Australian public discourse. Professor Nicholls is the head of the School of Management, Marketing and International Business. 

Emeritus Professor Ben Selinger from the Department of Chemistry also received an AM for his work to make chemistry accessible to non-experts, highlighting how this field impacts upon everyday activities like cleaning and cooking. This work had already gained Professor Selinger a Centenary Medal in 2001.

Science communication and education also earned physicist and engineer Dr John Rayner an AM. A Visiting Fellow at the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Dr Rayner is developing an online course that will equip science teachers to run physics courses up to the HSC level.

Dr Howard Bradbury from the School of Botany and Zoology was recognised with the same award for his work to develop a test kit to measure levels of cyanide in cassava and other food crops. Cassava is the third most important food source in the tropics after rice and maize, making it a staple food for 600 million people.

The AM is the third highest appointment in the Order of Australia honours system, which has been operating in Australia since 1975.
 
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On Campus 2 February 2007