Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Bond Alumni Awarded Minister's Prize for Research

Bond University Postgraduate student Stephen Knight has been awarded the Planning Institute of Australia Minister’s Prize for Research after having recently graduated with a Master of Urban Planning from the Institute of Sustainable Development and Architecture.

Stephen’s research focuses on the National Broadband Network and its effect on regional and urban communities. Stephen, now a Bond University Alumni, hopes that his research can assist local councils throughout Queensland and Australia with preparations for the implementation of The National Broadband Network, both in regional and urban areas.

“My research, titled ‘Delivering the Digital Region’, undertakes a review of key literature to identify the major factors that will influence the capacity of rural Australia to take advantage of the National Broadband Network [NBN] to achieve what I have termed ‘regional digital growth’, and to consider their implications for planners and rural communities alike,” he said.

“Likewise, given that all local councils will soon be directly impacted by the NBN — if not already — this research provides a pragmatic approach to support councils in assessing their current digital capabilities, and then in planning their further development and deployment in the form of ‘regional digital growth plans’.”

The Planning Institute of Australia Student Prizes were presented by the Assistant Minister for Planning Reform, Rob Molhoek MP as part of the launch of the 27th Annual Queensland Planning Excellence Awards at Parliament House on 8 May, 2013.

The judging panel from the Planning Institute of Australia noted Stephen’s high degree of originality in the proposition explored in his analysis, and its practical relevance to the case study region.

Bond University Associate Professor Daniel O’Hare says that Stephen’s research has already been well received by government and industry professionals. “Stephen has had invitations to speak to intersectoral industry groups at two councils in Queensland’s regions,” he said. “During the research, Stephen has become well connected in national networks of planning, economic development and IT professionals interested in maximising the return to regions from the rollout of the NBN.”

More from Bond

  • Surfing subject makes a splash with students

    Surf Industry Studies is a very unique, hands on approach to learning all about the surfing industry.

    Read article
  • Bond boys in the hood

    Bull Sharks Netball training partner Glenn Ormesher and Sapphire Assistant Coach Gavin Clarke are making their presence felt.

    Read article
  • Soldier, MP, academic: remembering Terry Gygar

    Associate Professor Terry Gygar, a former soldier and Queensland MP who went on to become a law academic at Bond University, has died following a battle with cancer.

    Read article
  • Penalty shootout in Madrid for sports law students

    A team of Bond University law students has made the world finals of the Sports Arbitration Moot in Spain.

    Read article
  • Undefeated U18s advance to Grand Final

    Rugby wrap: The U18s to play Souths in Lightning Series Grand Final, the men win big in Canberra and the women kick off their premiership defence with an intra-club match.

    Read article
Previous Next