Judging

Who are the judges?

• Applications for State Library's Fellowships and Medals are assessed by panels of independent judges.
• Judging panels are made up of members with subject matter expertise relevant to the fellowship they are judging. Panels are made up of members who offer a diversity of perspectives and experiences
• The judges for the 2026 Fellowships and Medals program were:
  • Leitha Assan – Exhibitions & Public Programmes Manager, Gab Titui Cultural Centre
  • Gavin Bannerman – Director, Queensland Memory, State Library
  • Dr Max Brierty – Senior Lecturer, Indigenous Studies, University of Melbourne; 2022 Monica Clare Research Fellow
  • Dianne Byrne – Historian; former John Oxley Library Librarian
  • Margaret Cook – Historian and heritage consultant
  • Des Crump – Co-Director of Indigenous Engagement, University of Queensland; First Nations linguist
  • David Fagan – RNA Councillor; former Editor, Courier Mail
  • Libby Fielding – Specialist Librarian, Collection Interpretation and Building, Queensland Memory
  • Professor Geoff Ginn – Associate Professor of History, University of Queensland
  • Emeritus Professor Peter Little – Founder, Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame
  • Mary Howells – Historian; 2022 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellow
  • Reuben Hiller – Specialist Librarian, Collection Interpretation and Building, Queensland Memory
  • Ray Kerkhove – Historian
  • Annabel Lloyd – City Archivist, Brisbane City Council Archives
  • Judith Nissan – Historian
  • Elly O’Neil – Specialist Librarian, Collection Interpretation and Building, Queensland Memory
  • Jon Piccini – Academic historian, Australian Catholic University
  • Professor Celmara Pocock – Institute Executive Director (Community and Regional Development); 2025 Rainbow Research Fellow
  • Olivia Robinson – Lead, Collection Engagement, Queensland Memory
  • Dr Shirleene Robinson – Senior Curator of Oral History, National Library of Australia
  • Dr Yorick Smaal – Academic, School of Humanities, Language and Social Science; specialist in LGBTQA+ history
  • Jo Wills – Museum Development Officer, Far North Queensland, Queensland Museum

How are applications assessed?

• Application checked for completeness and eligibility by State Library of Queensland.
• Eligible applications are then forwarded to an independent judging panel.
• judges read and assess the applications against the selection criteria.
• Judges decide on a shortlist and one successful applicant for each category.
• Judges may require an in-person interview with shortlisted applicants for more information.
• Judges award the applicant with the highest merit against the selection criteria as the successful applicant. Panels must decide on one successful application only per category. 

Other information

• The judges may, at their discretion, consult with other experts to assist in evaluating the merits of each application, including contacting the applicant's referees.
• The judges may, at their discretion, move an application to an additional or different category if they feel the application is more relevant or also relevant to that category.
• The outcomes of the judging process are final, and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into regarding decisions or the judging process.
• Judges may not award a category if there are not applications of suitable merit.
• Judges must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest as soon as they become aware of them. The State Library of Queensland records all conflicts of interest, perceived, potential and actual. The conflict of interest is managed by the State Library.

If you have any questions about State Library's Fellowships and Medal or the judging process, please contact fellowships@slq.qld.gov.au