The Road Safety Research Collaboration, funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) has celebrated its first PhD student graduation.
Laura Mills graduated with her PhD, focused on Drug Driving and the impact of social media on offending, after previously completing her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). Laura also worked as a Research Officer within the Collaboration.
Insurance Commissioner Neil Singleton, General Manager MAIC David Vincent and Manager Research and Grants Matt Waugh were delighted to attend the recent graduation ceremony, which marked two significant milestones in the history of the MAIC/USC Road Safety Research Collaboration. Created in 2018, this collaboration represents the first regionally based road safety focused research entity in Australia.
The ceremony also recognised inaugural Collaboration Director Jeremy Davey, who was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor by USC. This is a distinguished honour and was provided on the basis of Professor Davey’s significant contribution to road safety over many years, as well as his leadership in implementing an effective program to employ local students and graduates as early career researchers at the collaboration.
Insurance Commissioner, Neil Singleton tests a USC driving simulator.
Mr Singleton said a key focus of the collaboration, since its establishment, has been on the identification and development of the next wave of road safety research professionals.
“On behalf of MAIC, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Professor Davey and Dr Mills on their achievements, and the contributions they have made and will continue to make into the future in terms of reducing the impacts of road trauma on Queensland roads,” Mr Singleton said.
“As part of our visit, we also got the opportunity to see firsthand new research infrastructure that has been established to support current programs of work, primarily in the Impaired Driving space.
“This includes an enhanced driving simulator and designated rooms to support the current medicinal cannabis research agenda.”
For more information on the Road Safety Research Collaboration, please visit: MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia (usc.edu.au).